• 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. d
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.
