• Feinberg has assessed the openness theology which is different from
the orthodox theology. The classical theology states that God is
unchangeable. He is omnipotent and omnipresent which implies that
he knows everything and he is present everywhere. He has complete
knowledge pertaining to the future, including the actions that are
carried out by mankind. Thus there is nothing else that God has to
learn. On the other hand, the openness theology emphasised on the
love that God has for his creation. According to the openness
theology, God is completely loving due to which he is not harsh
towards his creation[1]. Feinberg believes that as per the openness
theology, the Almighty is completely different from how he is
portrayed in the classical theology. The only similarity between these
theologies is that they both consider God to be the supreme power.
Two fundamental concepts are associated with the openness theology. The
first concept is that love is the most vital quality that humans attribute to God.
The second concept is that love is not restricted to simply care and
commitment. Love is also about being sensitive as well as responsive in
nature. The openness theologians state that God is aware of all the truths that
need to be known by him. The followers of the theology reject any attempt to
synthesize the divine foreknowledge as well as libertarian free will and the
claims that God is not aware of the future.
• The three theological reasons for agreement or disagreement with
Feinberg have been presented below:
God is the world’s absolute sovereign monarch – He has complete control
over everything that is done by man. He is absolute in whatever he does.
God has knowledge about the future – According to Feinberg the ignorance of
the future of God is not a limitation as no one knows the future. But the
writer has ignored the fact that God himself has predicted the future as well
as the signs relating to the end time (Matt. 24). Someone who is ignorant of
the future cannot make predictions about the future and highlight exact signs
of end time.
The love that God has for mankind never changes – According to the
Openness theology, the Almighty changes his position towards mankind. This
change is based on what is done by mankind in the future. This claim seems
to be inaccurate as the character of God is consistent and constant. God
would not love human beings less or more on the basis of what the creation
does for him in the future. The Scripture states that even when man
committed sins, Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for him. Thus the love of God
is not based on good deeds or the future conduct[2].
• Wells does not agree with the views of Feinberg. According to Wells,
God is much more than the God of love as he is also the God of
judgement. Even though he gives human free will, he also judges the
actions of man. Feinberg claims that God is unaware of the future
but Wells does not support the idea. f
Bibliography
Nicholls, Jason A. "Openness and inerrancy: Can they be compatible?." Journal
of the evangelical theological society 45, no. 4 (2002): 629.
Pinnock, Clark H. Most Moved Mover: A Theology of God's Openness. Wipf and
Stock Publishers, 2019.
[1] Pinnock, Clark H. Most Moved Mover: A Theology of God's Openness. Wipf
and Stock Publishers, 2019.
[2] Nicholls, Jason A. "Openness and inerrancy: Can they be compatible?."
Journal of the evangelical theological society 45, no. 4 (2002): 629.
