The Open Future

Dr. Boyd explains the essence of Open Theism. He presents a scriptural and practical defense of it and deals with common objections.

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[stlouissymphaud]

I'm confused as to why the description says this is a scriptural defense. I don't remember anything in the Bible talking about God knowing "future possibilities." On the contrary, I do read about God "Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure.'"

[NealMcCrispy]

I'm glad this guy isn't in a church.

[CBALLEN]

@mickynbryan4god If God can only guess at the future then all future prophecies aren't certain and neither is salvation.I never believed in predestination before either until God opened my eyes after 14 yrs,so I know how emotional it is.To say that God does not know all of men's future thoughts words and deeds would mean that we have to ignore all those scriptures that I gave and true believers can't ignore any scripture to justify their own doctrines,we must glean our Doctrines from scripture.

[mickynbryan4god]

@mickynbryan4god I do not believe in predestination and we can discuss Romans 9 if you want. I believe that there are fixed events that have been predestined, but not everything. I expecially do not believe that salvation is predestined only for some.

[mickynbryan4god]

@CBALLEN I did not say that God does not know all things. I do believe He knows all that is to be known. Yes Jesus knew that Peter would deny him 3 times, but I do not think that is evidence for Him knowing ALL future things. I think there are many things we don't agree on and it comes down to how we view and interpret scripture. I am very new to Theology and do not have a lot of experience.

[CBALLEN]

@CBALLEN Did you know that God predestined all that happened to Jesus and even Jesus' betrayer and killers were chosen before time began? Didn't Jesus tell Peter that He would deny Him 3x before the cock crowed,how did Jesus know this?Even with that knowledge Peter could not help himself,he had to say what he did.If God doesn't know all things and is subject to mistakes,how could you trust him to save you?Some person may do something to cause Him to change all His plans?Don't trust him.

[CBALLEN]

@mickynbryan4god Did you know that God predestined all that happened to Jesus and even Jesus' betrayer and killers were chosen before time began? Didn't Jesus tell Peter that He would deny Him 3x before the cock crowed,how did Jesus know this?Even with that knowledge Peter could not help himself,he had to say what he did.If God doesn't know all things and is subject to mistakes,how could you trust him to save you?Some person may do something to cause Him to change all His plans?Don't trust him.

[CBALLEN]

@mickynbryan4god Prayer does not change God,prayer changes man.God has planned all the future and He calls it to be.Much of what Open Theists believe is attributed to man's evolving understanding of God,God is not a man,however He is described in anthropomorphic terms and how God seems from man's perspective.Is God omnipresent?He is,the Bible says He inhabits eternity,so the future is just as plain to God as the past and no one can thwart His will.

[mickynbryan4god]

I can look up some passages. I would love to hear your take on all of this...

[mickynbryan4god]

@CBALLEN I guess I just read it differently. I see that man can make choices AND God will prevail (Prov. 19:21), Also many of these verses are talking to the people of God, who have already inclned themselves to God? There are verses that suggest that man made a choice that God was not expecting, and there are times when the plea of man causes God to change His mind. God had intended for one plan and because man turned, God changed His mind. Also God presents Israel with choices all over the OT.