Analyze Feinberg's Assessment of Openness Theology:
In the assessment of John Feinberg, openness theology is a newer theological belief
system that is in errears to the orthodox theology that has been taught since the early
days of the Christian Church. In fact, the more orthodox teachings of the church can
be traced all the way back to faith leaders such as Aselm and St. Thomas Aquinas.1 In
the context of traditional orthodox, God is described as being immutable as well as
unchangeable. This is to say that there is no ability nor wherewithal for God to change
as it is not within his character.2 According to Feinberg, God is a God that is
omnipotent meaning that all knowledge that could ever be possessed is already in
possession, and this includes future decisions.3 Scripture indicates that Jesus himself
is the truth, and in him there is no falsehood, and God possesses all the knowledge
from the beginning of time through the span of eternity4; however, openness theology
teaches that God is a God that is deeply in love with his creation and through that
feeling of unconditional love, there can be no correction or punitive measures taken in
order to call his creation back from sin.5 According to Feinberg, this is contradictory of
both scripture and in error as it pertains to traditional theology. While it is similar in
core beliefs, there are notable differences i between the two that leave the ordinary
believer with more questions than answers as it pertains to their theological outlook.
According to Feinberg, God chooses to refrain from exercising his power in order to
encourage human free will.6
In this theological belief system, we tend to attribute love as the all important attribute
about God, which is in error as love and justice are both equally important to a
sovereign creator. We also tend to attribute love alone to God rather than his
commitment to his creation.7 It is in this theology that followers reject the fact that
God is all knowing while holding that God cannot know the future8, which is in error
according to scripture and traditional theology.
Discuss at least 3 theological reasons for agreement or disagreement with Feinberg.
These reasons should not be given as mere personal preferences, but should instead
reflect solid biblical/theological data that support the position:
1. God himself is the sovereign ruler over all the world.9 God, as our creator and
sustainer, is in complete control and authority over everything that we do. Often times,
humans believe that knowledge of God can be gained through our own abilities and
understandings, failing to realize that it is only through the divine call of God that we
are able lot know him.10 Whereas openness theology teaches that God cannot know
the future, God absolutely knows the future and is directing each and every step that
his creation makes.
2. God is divinely aware of the future. In Feinberg's analysis, he states that "God's
ignorance of the future is no limitation, for noone can know the future."11 For the sake
of a good example, take a look at eschatology. Through prophets and through writers,
God has given a clear indication of what's to come in the end times. If God was not
omnipotent and all-knowing of future events, current events would mean nothing in
the grand scheme of eschatological prophecy because we wouldn't have prophecy to
point to.
3. The Love of God is all-sufficient and constant. There is never a time in which the
love of God changes. Openness theology teaches that based upon future actions,
this will indicate the love that God has towards his children. This is in error in
accordance with the scriptures. Why? The characteristics and attributes of God never
changes. The same love that pursued David pursues us. There is not shadow of
change from God himself. There is never a time that God will love us any more or any
less based upon what we will do for him. Paul, in Romans 5:8 states that " while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us." God's love is not based upon our goodness of
our character or the level of our sin. God's love is constant and always in total pursuit.
Does Wells and Feinberg agree? Explain why or why not.
As one seeks to find common ground, they will quickly arrive at the response that
there is no agreement between Wells and Feinberg on this issue. Why? Wells holds to
the more traditional orthodox theology that holds that God is not only a God of love,
but he is also a God of Justice. According to wells, it is generally through the lens of
personal preference and wanting a loving God rather than a judgmental savior.11
Feinberg asserts that God doesn't know the future, so he confronts our action in the
future, whereas wells points to the fact that that God is constantly conforming
believers in to his image on a day to day basis and that our decisions in the future are
not lost on God. He knows and he is utilizing his Holy Spirit to steer us away from
danger.12 Lastly, Feinberg is of the mindset that God is limited and cannot be ever-
present; Wells however, states that God is not limited by space or time. He is
unlimited, and is constantly surrounding those whom he loves.14 Whereas there can be
some commonality found within the theologies mentioned, there is more questions
left with openness theology than answers provided from the study of the Theology.
This writer tends to subscribe more to Wells point of view than Feinberg's and
believes that God is a God of love, as well as a God of Justice while being ever present
and all knowing of past and future events.
[1] John S. Feinberg. No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (2019), p. 62. [2] Ibid., 64.
[3] Ibid., 69.
[4] Ibid., 69.
[5] Ibid., 69.
[6] Ibid., 70.
[7] Rissler, James. Open Theology. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Oglethorpe
University. U. S. A. 2020. https://iep.utm.edu/o-theism/
[8] ] John S. Feinberg. No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (2019), p. 72.
[9] John S. Feinberg. No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (2019), p. 66.
[10] David F Wells. God in the Whirlwind: How the Holy-love of God Reorients Our
World (2019). P. 34.
[11] John S. Feinberg. No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (2019), p. 68.
[12] David F Wells. God in the Whirlwind: How the Holy-love of God Reorients Our
World (2019), p. 66. [15] Ibid., 24.
[13] Ibid., 32.
[14] Ibid, 32
Bibliography
Feinberg, John S., No One Like Him: The Doctrine of God (2019)
Rissler, James. Open Theology. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i
i i i i i i i i i i Oglethorpe University. U. S. A. 2020. https://iep.utm.edu/o-theism/
Wells, David F., God in the Whirlwind: How the Holy-love of God Reorients Our
i i i i i i i i i i i World (2019).
