What is the basis of the argument that Open Theism is heretical?
Upvote:11
The fundamental assertion of Open Theism is a fairly simple proposition - it posits that God experiences time in a fashion not unlike that of mere mortals. Unlike the more mainstream understanding of God's relationship to time - namely that God does not exist in time, nor is He constrained by it, in Open Theism, God, like man, is unaware of what the future actually is. In and of itself, that is not particularly radical or heretical - but the implications of that statement twist theologians into a lot of knots.
Prior to Creation, for example, it would have asserted that God did not know what His world would look like. It is not that he was unable to create any possibility (and that term is important for Open Theists), but rather that until he implemented any given possibility, it was not known. Asserting such a framework opens God up to the ability to form relationships, to learn, to love, and to grow as it were, precisely because he is not omnipotent.
And therein lies the crux of Piper's issue with Open Theism.
In asserting that God can grow, change, and be open to relationship, it also has the effect of making him less than omnipotent. Omnipotence itself is not a central theological point, but it is widely held, especially in evangelical circles. If God either cannot or will not be aware of his own future, then he has cut himself off from a form of power and knowledge. He must then, thus, by choice or by nature, be less than all-powerful.
Additionally, Open Theism, in opening God up to change, fundamentally must also deny the doctrine of immutability - sometimes called impassibility - or the doctrine that says, God does not change. If God can change, immutabilitists contend, then God cannot be perfect - for things that are perfect are not capable of becoming "more perfect" or "less perfect."
Beyond that, if God is constrained by time in the same way we are, his eternality is also called into question. If God can change, then there can be a time in which God is different.
Calvinists, of course, would also say that predestination becomes impossible under such a framework. While Calvinism is by no means universal, it is significant (especially amongst Evangelicals), and is a doctrine to which John Piper personally subscribes.
Finally, Open Theism calls into question the Unity of the Trinity, for if God can change over time, then he could, in theory, have different "parts" at different points in time - the heresy of partialism. If God can change, then the Members of the Trinity could, for example, disagree - a logical conundrum that would have most Trinitarians scratching their heads.
In short - it's not that Open Theism is, in and of itself, heretical - but its natural consequences lead to the overturning of many established doctrines that, if overturned, would be heretical. It's a huge leap that changes a lot of what we "know" about God, and is therefore viewed with suspicion.
More post
- π How pure were the witnesses of the martyrs?
- π What is the sin of St.Peter that made St.Paul opposed him in Galatians2:11?
- π Why would God create beings with the capacity to sin?
- π How do believers in an eternal conscious torment/separation interpret Matthew 10:28?
- π Christian folklore, traditions and legends concerning plants?
- π If the Holy Spirit came in Jesus, who is the "Holy Spirit" that David refers to?
- π Why were verses taken out of the Bible when it was being formed? Was there any major stuff taken out?
- π Question regarding different translations of the Bible into Japanese
- π What is the difference between classical and revised dispensationalism?
- π Are there any extra-biblical writings that document what the early Christians believed about the second coming of Christ?
- π How is the Christian Jesus different from the Muslim Jesus?
- π How should a Christian respond to "Does this dress me look fat?"?
- π Under what basis does the Catholic Church condemn the use of drugs while permitting alcohol?
- π How does Luke 11:5-13 fit as corollaries to the Lord's teachings on prayer [Luke 11:1-4]?
- π Do the Jehovah's Witnesses believe the new covenant is for gentiles?
- π If the Bible contains all of the word of God and there can be no more, then why do we need the Nicene Creed?
- π Reconciling Genesis 1 with Science: Order of Creation
- π Gender Segregation in Small Groups and Prayer
- π Why did Calvin reject these Catholic doctrines about Mary?
- π Is the nature of God the father like that of Abraham the father of Isaac?
- π Why is hell for a literal eternity if it does not have literal flames and worms?
- π Stars in the sky
- π Why can't God cope with Iron chariots?
- π Does the seal of confession extend to bystanders?
- π Does every denomination / sect have a catechism?
- π Were there indulgences sold for those who had no family when they died?
- π According to Catholic exorcists, does the Devil hate Catholic Church prayers said in Latin?
- π How does the bible describe heaven
- π Why is the Eucharist referred to as Β«αΌΞ½Ξ±α½·ΞΌΞ±ΞΊΟΞΏΞ½ ΞΈΟ Οα½·Ξ±Ξ½Β» in consideration of "transubstantiation"?
- π Is it easy to live a Christian life?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- π What is the basis of the argument that Open Theism is heretical?
- π What is the argument and Biblical basis that it is possible to know God from nature?
- π What is the basis for the argument that Jesus DID have the ability to give in to temptation?
- π What is the basis for the argument that Jesus DID NOT have the ability to sin or give in to temptation?
- π What is the biblical basis for the claim that abortion is immoral?
- π What is the biblical basis to claim that masturbation is a sin?
- π What is the Biblical basis for the concept that Jesus spent time in Hell?
- π What is the basis that some Protestants teach the non-necessity of baptism for salvation?
- π What is the Biblical basis for saying that wives can divorce their physically abusive husbands?
- π What is the basis for the claim that the entire New Testament can be reconstructed apart from original and copied manuscripts?
- π What is the basis that many mainstream Christian groups justify labeling groups like the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses as Non-Christians?
- π Is the English translation of "Book of Mormon" ever revised or updated, and if so, on what basis given that the golden plates have disappeared?
- π What is the basis of the LDS (Mormon) belief that the Apostle John never died?
- π What is the biblical argument for eating meat, or that vegetarianism is possible but not commanded?
- π What is the Biblical basis for the belief that Jesus is Michael?
- π What is the basis for the claim that Ezekiel 44 is about Mary the Mother of Jesus?
- π What is the basis for believing that the wrath of God is not an accommodation?
- π What is the basis for the belief that the wise men did not arrive in Bethlehem until several months after the birth of Jesus?
- π What is the basis for Lombard's view that the basis of justification for OT men was different than for OT women?
- π What is the basis for the belief by some groups that a Christian can live a sinless life?
- π What is the Biblical argument that h*m*sexual attraction is sinful by itself?
- π What is the basis for the Catholic teaching that artificial birth control is wrong?
- π What is the Biblical basis for the belief that a living person may visit heaven or hell?
- π What is the biblical basis for the belief that Satan was the serpent in the Garden of Eden?
- π What is the basis for the idea that the Song of Solomon is about the relationship between God and the church?
- π What is the basis for arguing that Paul should have been selected as the 12th apostle instead of Matthias?
- π What is the biblical basis for the belief that Jesus' death made satisfaction for individual sins?
- π What is the basis of the view that Jesus was separated from the Father and Holy Spirit upon death?
- π What is the Biblical basis for the concept that demons have an odor?
- π What is the biblical basis for the belief that God likes or feels affection toward us?