Does God really know the future? Does he ever change his mind? The questions are controversial, but the quest for answers can revolutionize your life, believes Boyd. This pastor-theologian invites you to examine the classical view of God's foreknowledge and the alternative "open view," referring to Scripture passages that appear to support the open-view position. 192 pages, softcover from Baker.
This exceptionally engaging and biblically centered text defends a theological
claim that is generating heated controversy among evangelicals: that from God's
perspective, the future is partly open, a realm of possibilities as well as
certainties. Boyd, professor of theology at Bethel College (St. Paul, Minn.)
and author of Letters from a Skeptic and God at War, displays a remarkable
ability to make "open theism" accessible to a wide audience. Open theism
usually receives a cool reception among evangelical theologians, whose views of
divine foreknowledge often echo Augustine, Aquinas and Calvin, as well as
Hellenistic philosophical theology. This classical tradition interprets God's
perfection as eternal changelessness, ruling out the possibility that God could
learn new information, or that God's intentions could change. Boyd sidesteps
the more abstruse theological debates surrounding this issue in favor of a
patient, but not pedantic, exposition of a "motif of future openness" in
biblical narrative and prophecy. These biblical texts repeatedly portray God as
changing plans in response to human decisions, viewing future events as
contingent and even being disappointed at how events turn out. Boyd clearly
believes the debate over open theism has gotten off to an unfortunate start, as
disagreements about the "settledness" of the future have unnecessarily been
interpreted as challenges to God's omniscience or sovereignty. This convincing,
clear book promises to raise the caliber of argument in the controversy. (May)
Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Average Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars(3.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 9 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jake Hothem (Steamboat, co), February 11, 2008
An amazing book! Boyd takes "Open view" from a pure biblical context not tainted by religion or mans doctrine. An excellent read for those who are seeking real truth and liberation from the rules of the Christian religion.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Shawn Beaty (Oceanside Ca), August 02, 2007
Unlike many of the critics who have written a review, I actually read the book. It is a very interesting view of the future and the people of God. Boyd never says that God can not determine the future and he needs us to do so, he says that God has chosen in some areas of our existence to allow us to choose and help determine his future. Before you cry heresy read it objectively and with as little conservative or liberal bias as possible.
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rob McMichael (Flint, TX), May 27, 2007
Boyd does an abject disservice to the church, Christendom & to God Himself with the writing of this tome. Boyd uses conjecture and isogesis to offer an ersatz dogma for the openness movement. In doing so, he 'legitimizes' God's inability to do virtually anything without the help of man--I wonder if Mr. Boyd has ever read the book of Romans! This does nothing more than attenuate the gospel message of Christ & His atoning work on the cross.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Seth Miller (Santa Barbara, CA), August 13, 2003
This is a wonderfully refreshing book that finally presents a docrinally sound alternative to the classical views of God and time in practical and understandable language. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is stuggling with the problem of evil or simply wants to explore theology with an open mind! Amateurish?
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Robert (Orlando, FL), December 12, 2001
Boyd and these other Openness Theologians fancy themseves as heralds of a new Reformation. It is a bit ironic that the Reformers of Old reached back to Church Fathers and the Scriptures in order to show that their positions were not new. Boyd cannot do this. The view that God does not know parts of the future has never been accepted by biblically faithful Christians. It is unfortunate that an "evangelical" publisher would publish such a work with amateurish logic, spurious biblical reading and a look at prayer and the problem of evil that can satisfy no one who has ever truly wrestled with such issues.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by David McCabe (Albuquerque, NM), June 23, 2001
This book was an excellent and refreshing examination of the Scriptures as it pertains to the nature of the future. Dr. Boyd makes a clear distinction that the issue is not the knowledge of God as such, but rather the nature of the future.
I appreciate his honesty and tenacious seeking of the true God of the Scriptures.
Dr. Boyd's insight into the Word of God is encouraging and uplifting to bring his readers into a better understanding of the God of the possible.
Thanx for this great work!
I look forward to "The Myth of the Blueprint" , forthcoming.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Taghn (Massachusetts), December 02, 2000
I highly recommend Gregory A. Boyd’s “God of the Possible” as a wonderful introduction to understanding the Open View of God. Whether or not one agrees with the open view, this book will prove to engage and reward its readers. Furthermore, it is my belief that this book provides the Biblical framework for an all powerful and sovereign God. However, I am sure many would disagree with me on these points. Nonetheless, with careful reflection and prayer I believe that you will come out of this book with a greater understanding of God’s sovereignty, that is a sovereignty of love!
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Nick Nowalk (High Point, NC), September 19, 2000
Boyd's oft-controversial "openness" ideas make for terrible and unbiblical theology. Do not take my word for it, or Boyd's. There is a very signifcant reason all of the great men of faith believed passionately in God's sovereign control of His creation. If this is not so, if what Boyd claims is true, then the Cross did not accomplish anything for us.
In the end, Boyd exalts human choice and freedom over the mind and foreknowledge of an infinite God...or in Boyd's theology, should I say "god"? For a much better treatment of the Bible in this area, pick something up by J.I. Packer, or John Piper, men who do not bring postmodern assumptions to the everlasting and unchanging Word of God.
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