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    What Is Open Theism

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    Chris Fisher
    Open Theism is an attempt to understand God based solely on what is presented in the Bible rather than importing definitions from external philosophical traditions. It emphasizes taking the Bible literally using common sense and recognizing linguistic conventions to avoid misinterpretations. Open Theists believe the Bible should be the sole definition of God's nature and that extra-biblical ideas should not influence biblical interpretation. They argue Open Theism cannot be traced to pagan sources as Calvinism has been, and that it aims to return to original biblical truths rather than conforming scripture to predetermined theological systems.

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    What Is Open Theism

    Uploaded by

    Chris Fisher
    44 views1 page
    Open Theism is an attempt to understand God based solely on what is presented in the Bible rather than importing definitions from external philosophical traditions. It emphasizes taking the Bible literally using common sense and recognizing linguistic conventions to avoid misinterpretations. Open Theists believe the Bible should be the sole definition of God's nature and that extra-biblical ideas should not influence biblical interpretation. They argue Open Theism cannot be traced to pagan sources as Calvinism has been, and that it aims to return to original biblical truths rather than conforming scripture to predetermined theological systems.

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    What is Open Theism

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    Open Theism is an attempt to understand God based solely on what is presented in the Bible rather than importing definitions from external philosophical traditions. It emphasizes taking the Bible literally using common sense and recognizing linguistic conventions to avoid misinterpretations. Open Theists believe the Bible should be the sole definition of God's nature and that extra-biblical ideas should not influence biblical interpretation. They argue Open Theism cannot be traced to pagan sources as Calvinism has been, and that it aims to return to original biblical truths rather than conforming scripture to predetermined theological systems.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    44 views1 page

    What Is Open Theism

    Uploaded by

    Chris Fisher
    Open Theism is an attempt to understand God based solely on what is presented in the Bible rather than importing definitions from external philosophical traditions. It emphasizes taking the Bible literally using common sense and recognizing linguistic conventions to avoid misinterpretations. Open Theists believe the Bible should be the sole definition of God's nature and that extra-biblical ideas should not influence biblical interpretation. They argue Open Theism cannot be traced to pagan sources as Calvinism has been, and that it aims to return to original biblical truths rather than conforming scripture to predetermined theological systems.

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    What is Open Theism?

    Open Theism has been subject to many false characterizations and straw men set
    up by Calvinists to discredit it. Although once in a while a Calvinist will do a decent job
    of defining it, it is more subject to false accusations and partial explanations than a
    thorough description.
    In his The Openness of God: A Critical Assessment, Stephen J. Wellum defines
    Open Theism by a few main characteristics. The first characteristic is a strong emphasis
    on divine love and the relationship between God and humans. The second main
    characteristic is an emphasis on libertarian free will. Although this is a fair overview of
    the conclusions of Open Theism, Wellum forgets that one cannot define something by the
    results. Just as the wind is not defined by tree branches moving, Open Theism should not
    be defined by libertarian free will and a God who genuinely loves and interacts with his
    creation. Instead Open Theism should be defined by its methodology.
    Open Theism is easily defined as an attempt to return to Biblical truths. It is an
    attempt to take the Bible literally using common sense and recognizing figures of speech
    using defined and consistent methodology. Open Theism looks to the Bible to determine
    who God is and holds in suspicion ideas introduced into Christianity via pagan sources.
    Open Theism should not be associated with sola scriptura because there are truths
    apart from the Bible. The Bible never established the laws of gravity or basic
    mathematics. God pre-existed the Bible. Some of God’s characteristics can be deduced
    apart from the Bible and Open Theism recognizes this. But if those characteristics
    conflict with the Bible then Open Theists also recognize that either the deductions were
    wrong or the Bible is in error (rendering Christianity false). The Bible should never be
    retranslated to mean something the original authors never intended.
    Open Theism is unable to be traced to any Pagan philosophers as Calvinism can
    be demonstrably shown to do. Although Calvinists try to root Open Theism in the
    freedom mentality of the mid 20th century, they forget that correlation does not equal
    causation. Most Open Theists have at some time in their life been hardcore Calvinists, a
    stark difference than the hippies of the 60s. Open Theism is really a revival on par with
    Luther’s break from the Catholic Church proclaiming the Bible trumps man’s invention.
    The Bible should define the true nature of God, and it should be read in a
    straightforward manner such as other books are read and understood. It, being God’s
    word, should act as a mirror for reality, showing truths that are in existence. Extra-
    Biblical definitions should not be placed onto Biblical words or concepts. The Bible, not
    man-made philosophy, is the ultimate source for the true God.

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