• 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. i
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.
