Does God Know the Future in Advance?
Biblical Support for Open Theism
By Dr. John Sanders
(Please scroll down for Chinese translation)
Recently Christians in the United States and other parts of the world have begun to think about God in new ways. One of the most promising of these new ways is called Open Theism. Its critics believe that Open Theism runs contrary to biblical teachings, but its advocates believe that it is more consistent with biblical teachings than many alternatives. The issues revolve around the idea of “openness” itself.
Open theism affirms that the God of love works with creatures in order for them to share the love inherent in the trinity and to love one another. In this view God is “open” in two important senses. First, God is open to and affected by what creatures do; and second, God is open to the future in that, even for God, there is more than one possible future. God’s plan is not a blueprint but a broad intention that allows for a variety of options regarding precisely how these goals may be reached. God has “dynamic omniscience” meaning that God knows all the past and present as definite and God knows the future as possibilities. Because God has chosen to rely upon creatures for many aspects of life and humans do not always do what God wishes they would do, it follows that God takes some risks. Consequently, God adjusts divine plans and implements flexible strategies in order to try to achieve the divine purposes.
Open theists appeal to a variety of biblical texts to support this position. A few examples of each type will be mentioned and the reader is directed to the “recommended reading” section at the end for further discussion.
Open theism affirms that the God of love works with creatures in order for them to share the love inherent in the trinity and to love one another. In this view God is “open” in two important senses. First, God is open to and affected by what creatures do; and second, God is open to the future in that, even for God, there is more than one possible future. God’s plan is not a blueprint but a broad intention that allows for a variety of options regarding precisely how these goals may be reached. God has “dynamic omniscience” meaning that God knows all the past and present as definite and God knows the future as possibilities. Because God has chosen to rely upon creatures for many aspects of life and humans do not always do what God wishes they would do, it follows that God takes some risks. Consequently, God adjusts divine plans and implements flexible strategies in order to try to achieve the divine purposes.
Open theists appeal to a variety of biblical texts to support this position. A few examples of each type will be mentioned and the reader is directed to the “recommended reading” section at the end for further discussion.
Open Theism and the Bible
1. The Bible portrays God as authentically responding to people's petitions.
When God called Moses to be the one to lead the Israelites out of Egypt Moses gave God several reasons why he was inadequate for the task (Exodus 3-4). In response, God attempted to satisfy Moses’ felt needs. At one point God switches to “plan B” by allowing Aaron to do the public speaking instead of Moses. In another text, God had the prophet Isaiah announce to King Hezekiah that he would not recover from his illness. However, Hezekiah prayed and God responded by sending Isaiah back to announce that God had changed his mind, Hezekiah would recover and not die (2 Kings 20). Jesus is said to heal a paralyzed man because of the faith of his friends (Mark 2:5). Such texts reveal divine flexibility, an openness to following different routes, in the attempt to achieve God’s overarching purposes.
2. The Bible portrays God as being affected by creatures and as sometimes being surprised by what they do.
Genesis 6:6 says that God was grieved because humans continually sinned. Why would God grieve if God always knew exactly what humans were going to do? Also, the biblical writers, when describing God’s speeches, use words such as “perhaps” and “maybe.” God says "perhaps" the people will listen to my prophet and "maybe" they will turn from their idols (e. g. Ezek. 12:1-3; Jer. 26:2-3). Furthermore, God makes utterances like, "if you repent then I will let you remain in the land" (Jer. 7:5). Also, God says, "I thought Israel would return to me but she has not" (Jer. 3:7; cf. 32:35) and that he had planted cultivated vines and so did not expect them to produce “wild grapes” (Isa. 5:1-4). These descriptions do not seem genuine if God already knew they would not repent.
When God called Moses to be the one to lead the Israelites out of Egypt Moses gave God several reasons why he was inadequate for the task (Exodus 3-4). In response, God attempted to satisfy Moses’ felt needs. At one point God switches to “plan B” by allowing Aaron to do the public speaking instead of Moses. In another text, God had the prophet Isaiah announce to King Hezekiah that he would not recover from his illness. However, Hezekiah prayed and God responded by sending Isaiah back to announce that God had changed his mind, Hezekiah would recover and not die (2 Kings 20). Jesus is said to heal a paralyzed man because of the faith of his friends (Mark 2:5). Such texts reveal divine flexibility, an openness to following different routes, in the attempt to achieve God’s overarching purposes.
2. The Bible portrays God as being affected by creatures and as sometimes being surprised by what they do.
Genesis 6:6 says that God was grieved because humans continually sinned. Why would God grieve if God always knew exactly what humans were going to do? Also, the biblical writers, when describing God’s speeches, use words such as “perhaps” and “maybe.” God says "perhaps" the people will listen to my prophet and "maybe" they will turn from their idols (e. g. Ezek. 12:1-3; Jer. 26:2-3). Furthermore, God makes utterances like, "if you repent then I will let you remain in the land" (Jer. 7:5). Also, God says, "I thought Israel would return to me but she has not" (Jer. 3:7; cf. 32:35) and that he had planted cultivated vines and so did not expect them to produce “wild grapes” (Isa. 5:1-4). These descriptions do not seem genuine if God already knew they would not repent.
Cooperating with God
3. The Bible portrays God as testing people in order to discover what they will do.
God puts Abraham to the test and afterward says, "now I know that you fear me" (Genesis 22:12). God puts the people of Israel to the test to find out what they will do (Exodus 15:25; Deut. 13:3). After the sin of the golden calf God asked the people to “put off your ornaments that I may know what to do with you” (Exodus 33:5).
4. The Bible portrays God as undergoing a change of mind as God interacts with creatures.
God announced the intention to destroy the people of Israel and start over again with Moses but Moses asked God to not do that. In response, God “changed his mind” and did as Moses asked (Exodus 32). It is not that God had to do what Moses wanted. Rather, it is that Moses has become a “friend” of God such that God values what Moses desires. Sometimes God made promises that were stated in unconditional terms but God changed the divine mind due to human rebellion. For instance, God had promised Eli in unconditional terms that his descendants would be priests forever in Israel. But after the horrible exploitation of the priestly office by his sons, God changes his mind and removes the line from the priesthood (1 Samuel 2:30). Another illustration of this occurs with King Saul. The Bible says that God’s original plan was to have Saul and his descendants as kings forever in Israel (1 Sam. 13:13). In other words, there would have been no “Davidic” kingship. Latter, due to Saul’s sin, God changes his mind and rejects Saul and his line (1 Sam. 15:11, 35).
Two of the biblical summaries of the nature of God proclaim that God is compassionate, gracious, longsuffering, abounding in loving kindness and truth, and is one who changes his mind (Joel 2:13 and Jonah 4:2). Open theists believe these statements communicate what God is like. God is incredibly wise and competent in interacting with creatures and, though some events do not go the way God wants them go, God is not stymied but resourcefully works to bring all things to a good end (Romans 8:28). To that end God calls Christians to cooperate with God in order to reconcile the world to God (2 Corinthians 5:18).
What people do and whether they come to trust God and collaborate with God makes a difference concerning what God does—God does not fake the story of human history.
God puts Abraham to the test and afterward says, "now I know that you fear me" (Genesis 22:12). God puts the people of Israel to the test to find out what they will do (Exodus 15:25; Deut. 13:3). After the sin of the golden calf God asked the people to “put off your ornaments that I may know what to do with you” (Exodus 33:5).
4. The Bible portrays God as undergoing a change of mind as God interacts with creatures.
God announced the intention to destroy the people of Israel and start over again with Moses but Moses asked God to not do that. In response, God “changed his mind” and did as Moses asked (Exodus 32). It is not that God had to do what Moses wanted. Rather, it is that Moses has become a “friend” of God such that God values what Moses desires. Sometimes God made promises that were stated in unconditional terms but God changed the divine mind due to human rebellion. For instance, God had promised Eli in unconditional terms that his descendants would be priests forever in Israel. But after the horrible exploitation of the priestly office by his sons, God changes his mind and removes the line from the priesthood (1 Samuel 2:30). Another illustration of this occurs with King Saul. The Bible says that God’s original plan was to have Saul and his descendants as kings forever in Israel (1 Sam. 13:13). In other words, there would have been no “Davidic” kingship. Latter, due to Saul’s sin, God changes his mind and rejects Saul and his line (1 Sam. 15:11, 35).
Two of the biblical summaries of the nature of God proclaim that God is compassionate, gracious, longsuffering, abounding in loving kindness and truth, and is one who changes his mind (Joel 2:13 and Jonah 4:2). Open theists believe these statements communicate what God is like. God is incredibly wise and competent in interacting with creatures and, though some events do not go the way God wants them go, God is not stymied but resourcefully works to bring all things to a good end (Romans 8:28). To that end God calls Christians to cooperate with God in order to reconcile the world to God (2 Corinthians 5:18).
What people do and whether they come to trust God and collaborate with God makes a difference concerning what God does—God does not fake the story of human history.
Recommended reading:
John Sanders, The God Who Risks: A Theology of Providence, revised edition. InterVarsity Press, 2007
Terence Fretheim, The Suffering of God: An Old Testament Perspective. Fortress, 1984.
Clark Pinnock et. al. The Openness of God,: A Biblical Challenge to the Traditional View of God. InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Gregory Boyd, God of the Possible: a Biblical Introduction to the Open View of God. Baker Books, 2000.
Also, see www.opentheism.info
John Sanders, The God Who Risks: A Theology of Providence, revised edition. InterVarsity Press, 2007
Terence Fretheim, The Suffering of God: An Old Testament Perspective. Fortress, 1984.
Clark Pinnock et. al. The Openness of God,: A Biblical Challenge to the Traditional View of God. InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Gregory Boyd, God of the Possible: a Biblical Introduction to the Open View of God. Baker Books, 2000.
Also, see www.opentheism.info
近期美国和世界其他地区的基督徒开始用新的方式来思考上帝的问题，这些新的方式之一就是开放神论。评论家相信开放神论与传统圣经所讲的内容相悖，但是支持者们认为比起其他的方式这个论调与圣经的内容更加吻合。所有的问题围绕着“开放”思想本身。
开放神论认为爱是上帝赋予世间万物的并让他们继承彼此相爱，所以上帝在两种意义上是“开放”的。首先，上帝接受世间万物的做法并受到影响；其次，上帝也面向未来，即使对于上帝来说，未来也有不止一种的可能性。上帝的计划不是一个蓝图而是一个广义的意向，可以有不同的选择来达成各种目标。上帝具有“对于变化的预知能力”，意思就是上帝确切知道所有过去和现在，对于未来的各种可能性十分清楚。因为上帝选择依靠世间万物来了解生活的多个侧面，人类不能按照上帝的希望来做事情，上帝实际上也是在冒险。因此，上帝调整自己神圣的计划和灵活的策略来达到神圣的目的。
开放神论者倾向于使用各种圣经的经文来支持这个立场。每个类型在圣经里都有提及，读者也能直接找到经文所在位置。
1. 圣经认为上帝确实对人们的愿望做出了回应。
当上帝让摩西领导犹太人出埃及的时候摩西给上帝自己不能胜任的价格原因 （出埃及记3-4）。上帝试图满足自己认为摩西需要的东西，同时上帝开始通过让亚伦代替摩西在众人面前讲话来实行B计划。在另外一个故事里，上帝让先知以赛亚对希西家国王说他的病好不了。然而，希西家祈祷之后上帝拍以赛亚回去告诉他上帝改变了注意，希西家身体会康复不会死去（列王记下20）。耶稣据说治愈了一个瘫痪的人因为他朋友的虔诚（马可福音2:5）。这样的故事表现了神力的灵活性，通过不同的方式来表现开放的意味，来达到上帝的目的。
2. 圣经认为上帝被世间万物所影响有的时候对他们做的事情感到惊讶。
创世纪6:6叙述说因为人类在不停地犯罪所以上帝感到悲哀。如果上帝很清楚地知道人类要做什么的话为什么还会感到悲哀呢？还有，当圣经的作者们描述上帝的讲话的时候，使用了“可能”“或许”之类的词语。上帝说“可能”人们会聆听我的先知“也许”他们会改变信仰（以斯拉记12:1-3；耶利米书26:2-3）。还有，上帝会使用这样的句子，“如果你们悔改的话我们让你们还在这个世界上 ”（耶利米7:5）。上帝还说“我认为以色列会回归我但是她却没有”（耶利米3:7）他播种了藤蔓所以不希望他们结出“野生葡萄”（以赛亚5:1-4）。如果上帝已经知道他们不会悔改的话这些描述看起来就不真实了。
3. 圣经认为上帝要考验人们来发现他们要做的事情。
上帝考验了亚伯拉罕然后说，“现在我知道你怕我了。（创世纪22:12）.上帝来考验以色列人看看他们想做什么（出埃及记15:25；申命记13:3）。上帝让人们身上的妆饰都摘下来然后我就知道该怎样对待你们了。”（出埃及记33:5）。
4.圣经认为上帝在与万物互动的过程中在不断改变想法。
上帝宣布了要消灭以色列人的意向又向摩西重申了一次但是摩西告诉上帝不要这么做。上帝“改变了想法”采纳了摩西的建议（出埃及记32）。不是上帝不得不采纳摩西的建议，而是摩西已经成为上帝的一个“朋友”，所以上帝尊重摩西的想法。有的时候上帝在无条件的情况下许下承诺但是也会因为人类的反抗改变神圣的想法。例如，上帝向艾利许诺他的后代都会成为以色列的牧师。但是由于他的儿子们的擅自改变办公方式的做法上帝改变了主意把他的后人从牧师队伍中剔除（撒母耳记上2:30）。另外一个是与国王，圣经记叙说上帝的原始计划是让扫罗和他的后人一直当以色列的国王（撒母耳记13:13）。换句话说，本不会有大卫担任国王的情况。但是后来，由于扫罗所犯的罪孽，上帝改变了想法。（撒母耳记上15:11）
关于上帝天性的两个圣经表述都证明上帝是很富有同情心的，高尚的，坚强的，并且充满了爱怜，是会改变想法的人（约珥书2:13）。开放神论者相信这些陈述把上帝的形象展示出来。上帝是充满智慧并且能够很好地与万物互动，虽然有的事情不向上帝所期望的那样，但是并没有妨碍上帝，上帝还是让所有的事情都有了很好的结局（罗马书8:28）。最后上帝号召基督徒们与上帝一起来塑造上帝的世界（哥林多后书5:18）。
人们所作事情以及他们是否要信任上帝是否与上帝互动与上帝的决定有关系——上帝没有伪造人类的历史。
开放神论认为爱是上帝赋予世间万物的并让他们继承彼此相爱，所以上帝在两种意义上是“开放”的。首先，上帝接受世间万物的做法并受到影响；其次，上帝也面向未来，即使对于上帝来说，未来也有不止一种的可能性。上帝的计划不是一个蓝图而是一个广义的意向，可以有不同的选择来达成各种目标。上帝具有“对于变化的预知能力”，意思就是上帝确切知道所有过去和现在，对于未来的各种可能性十分清楚。因为上帝选择依靠世间万物来了解生活的多个侧面，人类不能按照上帝的希望来做事情，上帝实际上也是在冒险。因此，上帝调整自己神圣的计划和灵活的策略来达到神圣的目的。
开放神论者倾向于使用各种圣经的经文来支持这个立场。每个类型在圣经里都有提及，读者也能直接找到经文所在位置。
1. 圣经认为上帝确实对人们的愿望做出了回应。
当上帝让摩西领导犹太人出埃及的时候摩西给上帝自己不能胜任的价格原因 （出埃及记3-4）。上帝试图满足自己认为摩西需要的东西，同时上帝开始通过让亚伦代替摩西在众人面前讲话来实行B计划。在另外一个故事里，上帝让先知以赛亚对希西家国王说他的病好不了。然而，希西家祈祷之后上帝拍以赛亚回去告诉他上帝改变了注意，希西家身体会康复不会死去（列王记下20）。耶稣据说治愈了一个瘫痪的人因为他朋友的虔诚（马可福音2:5）。这样的故事表现了神力的灵活性，通过不同的方式来表现开放的意味，来达到上帝的目的。
2. 圣经认为上帝被世间万物所影响有的时候对他们做的事情感到惊讶。
创世纪6:6叙述说因为人类在不停地犯罪所以上帝感到悲哀。如果上帝很清楚地知道人类要做什么的话为什么还会感到悲哀呢？还有，当圣经的作者们描述上帝的讲话的时候，使用了“可能”“或许”之类的词语。上帝说“可能”人们会聆听我的先知“也许”他们会改变信仰（以斯拉记12:1-3；耶利米书26:2-3）。还有，上帝会使用这样的句子，“如果你们悔改的话我们让你们还在这个世界上 ”（耶利米7:5）。上帝还说“我认为以色列会回归我但是她却没有”（耶利米3:7）他播种了藤蔓所以不希望他们结出“野生葡萄”（以赛亚5:1-4）。如果上帝已经知道他们不会悔改的话这些描述看起来就不真实了。
3. 圣经认为上帝要考验人们来发现他们要做的事情。
上帝考验了亚伯拉罕然后说，“现在我知道你怕我了。（创世纪22:12）.上帝来考验以色列人看看他们想做什么（出埃及记15:25；申命记13:3）。上帝让人们身上的妆饰都摘下来然后我就知道该怎样对待你们了。”（出埃及记33:5）。
4.圣经认为上帝在与万物互动的过程中在不断改变想法。
上帝宣布了要消灭以色列人的意向又向摩西重申了一次但是摩西告诉上帝不要这么做。上帝“改变了想法”采纳了摩西的建议（出埃及记32）。不是上帝不得不采纳摩西的建议，而是摩西已经成为上帝的一个“朋友”，所以上帝尊重摩西的想法。有的时候上帝在无条件的情况下许下承诺但是也会因为人类的反抗改变神圣的想法。例如，上帝向艾利许诺他的后代都会成为以色列的牧师。但是由于他的儿子们的擅自改变办公方式的做法上帝改变了主意把他的后人从牧师队伍中剔除（撒母耳记上2:30）。另外一个是与国王，圣经记叙说上帝的原始计划是让扫罗和他的后人一直当以色列的国王（撒母耳记13:13）。换句话说，本不会有大卫担任国王的情况。但是后来，由于扫罗所犯的罪孽，上帝改变了想法。（撒母耳记上15:11）
关于上帝天性的两个圣经表述都证明上帝是很富有同情心的，高尚的，坚强的，并且充满了爱怜，是会改变想法的人（约珥书2:13）。开放神论者相信这些陈述把上帝的形象展示出来。上帝是充满智慧并且能够很好地与万物互动，虽然有的事情不向上帝所期望的那样，但是并没有妨碍上帝，上帝还是让所有的事情都有了很好的结局（罗马书8:28）。最后上帝号召基督徒们与上帝一起来塑造上帝的世界（哥林多后书5:18）。
人们所作事情以及他们是否要信任上帝是否与上帝互动与上帝的决定有关系——上帝没有伪造人类的历史。
