Analyze Feinberg’s assessment of openness theology:
According to John Feinberg, author ofNo One Like Him: The Doctrines of
God, the openness model is a proposed mediating corrective to the
classical and process models. Although there are some similarities [1]
between openness theology, classical and process theology, there are
also significant differences. The open view believes their understanding
and knowledge of God is consistent with the biblical description of God.
The openness god attributes are described as loving, caring, and
committed. When the attributes of the classical and process gods are
considered, the open view agrees with the process thinkers more. For
example, open theists accept the process claim that certain aspects of
God are contingent but reject the classical view that God is absolute.
[2]Furthermore, open theists affirm God’s nature and attributes are
unchangeable.[3]Because openness theists believe God has feelings and
emotions, impassability is rejected. Additionally, as a result of God’s
involvement in the world, openness theism contends God governs himself
to time.
The open view's understanding of the omniscience and omnipotence
attributes is that God has sovereign control over the world. According [4]
to Feinburg, the belief that humans have libertarian free will is central to
the open view. Moreover, openness theism claims that its perspective [5]
on the problem of evil is more understandable than that of classical and
process theism. Feinburg states, “Unlike the process view, the open view
doesn’t solve the problem of evil by making God so impotent and finite
that he isn’t guilty for what happens in our world because he can’t do
anything about it.” Overall, “the open view is a distinct alternative to [6]
both process and classical models of God.”[7]
Discuss at least 3 theological reasons for agreement or
