Open theism is a theological view that emphasizes God’s dynamic relationship with creation, particularly regarding human free will and the nature of the future. It asserts that :
- God is Omniscient but the Future is Partially Open.
Open theists believe that God knows everything that can be known, but because the future includes free choices that have not yet been made, it is not fully determined and therefore, not fully knowable.
2. Genuine Free Will.
Human beings have real freedom to make choices, which means their decisions are not pre-determined by God. This view contrasts with classical theism, which holds that God’s foreknowledge includes all future events.
3. God Can Change His Plans.
Since the future is not entirely fixed, God can interact with humanity in real time, responding, adapting and even changing His course of action based on human choices and prayers.
4. God’s Sovereignty includes Risk.
Unlike traditional views that depict God as meticulously controlling everything, open theism suggests that God, in His sovereignty, allows for uncertainty and risk, valuing genuine relationships with His creatures.
Open theism is often contrasted with classical theism (which holds that God knows the future exhaustively) and is debated among theologians, with critics arguing that it undermines God’s omniscience and sovereignty. However, supporters believe it better aligns with biblical depictions of God’s relational nature and human responsibility.
(See Table 1 for the comparison of Open Theism with Classical Theism, Arminianism and Calvinism.)
Let’s see how the various views interpret the following verses.
- God’s Knowledge of the Future.
Isaiah 46:9-10. “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done.”
Classical Theism And Calvinism. Strongly supports God’s exhaustive foreknowledge and sovereignty over all history.
Arminianism. Affirms that God knows the future, but human free will is still intact.
Open Theism. Open theists interpret this as God declaring His ultimate plan, not every single human choice.
1 Samuel 15:11. “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me.”
Classical Theism & Calvinism. View this as anthropomorphic language – God is expressing disappointment but knew this would happen.
Arminianism. Acknowledges that God foresaw Saul’s rebellion but still allowed him free will.
Open Theism. Suggests that God’s plans can change based on human actions, meaning the future is not entirely pre-determined.
2. Human Free Will.
Deut 30:19. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.”
Classical Theism & Calvinism. Accepts human choices but interprets them as working within God’s ultimate plan.
Open Theism & Arminianism. Strongly supports libertarian free will – humans can genuinely choose their destiny.
Acts 2:23. “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
Calvinism. Shows that God’s sovereignty includes determining major events like Jesus’ crucifixion.
Classical Theism & Arminianism. Supports foreknowledge but does not necessarily mean predestination of all things.
Open Theism. Might argue that God’s plan involved sending Jesus, but human choices (e.g. Judas’ betrayal) were not fully determined.
3. God’s Sovereignty vs Human Responsibility.
Proverbs 16:9. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Calvinism & Classical Theism. Strongly supports God’s control over human decisions.
Arminianism. Suggests God allows human plans but still guides history.
Open Theism. Could interpret this as God influencing but not dictating outcomes.
Jonah 3:10. “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.”
Classical Theism & Calvinism. Argue that this is God revealing His unchanging character rather than literally “changing His mind”.
Arminianism. Agrees that God takes human repentance into account but still knows the final outcome.
Open Theism. Strongly supports the idea that God responds dynamically to human actions.
4. Prayer And Divine Change.
Exodus 32:14. “And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.”
Classical Theism & Calvinism. God’s “relenting” is seen as part of His eternal plan rather than a true change in decision.
Arminianism. Prayer is significant, but God already knows the outcome.
Open Theism. Prayer genuinely influences God’s actions, showing an open future.
James 5:16. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Classical Theism & Calvinism. Agrees but believes God already knew the prayers and included them in His plan.
Arminianism. Accepts that prayer is powerful but within God’s foreknown will.
Open Theism. Supports the view that prayer makes a real difference.
(See Table 2 for the comparison.)
