How do Open Theists respond to Bible verses claiming God knows the future?
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The quote from Jeremiah refers to God's plans. Plans do not require foreknowledge, only forethought. I doubt that Open Theists deny that God plans ahead. The question is whether He has one plan that He knows will work out in every detail with exactitude because of foreknowledge, or an infinite number of contingency plans, one of which will achieve his ultimate aim. Chess computers can now outplay the best human players. The human player has the freedom to choose any legal move they want on their turn, it just means that they lose in a different way.
The quote from John comes closer to posing an issue. However, in 2000 years, has the Holy Spirit provided anyone a detailed timetable and roadmap for all of human history? Or has the Spirit given a broad outline of the shape of God's plan, such that history falls within those parameters and accomplishes God's purposes, but the path to each waypoint along the journey is a surprise? I believe that the lack of such a comprehensive revelation to anyone individually or the church collectively over this long period shows that the meaning of John 16:13, if true, must be different from what your question assumes.
If I succeed in deducing God's comprehensive year-by-year plan for history, I will let you and the Open Theists know.
Upvote:2
The Bible does not teach predestination. It teaches that God gives humans choices and holds them accountable for their actions.
Deuteronomy 30:19 says:
"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live"
God evidently does have the ability to tell the future, but he has unlimited knowledge and sight, as well as the power to cause anything he wishes to happen. Consider these examples: if a parent tells a child that they will get burned if they touch something hot, and then it happens just as the parent said it would, that is not a prophecy fulfilled - that is simply having a superior knowledge of the consequences. Likewise, if a parent tells a child that they themselves will punish the child for bad behaviour, and then they have to carry that out, this is also not a prophecy fulfilled - the parent used their own free will to carry out what they previously said they would do.
We do not comprehend how God sees the future, but evidently, he does not predetermine our futures as individuals, otherwise he would not give them choices or hold them accountable for their actions. His 'plans', as referred to in the verses you quoted, were things he wanted to happen and could cause to happen.
At Luke 19:40, Jesus had been asked to stop his disciples from preaching, but in reply said:
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Jesus disciples preached because they used their personal free will to respond to the call. Although Jesus was using hyperbole in this verse, the point was that God would see his will take place even if nobody responded to it. Again, this proves that he causes what he says will happen to happen, and this does not conflict with the concept of free will.
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