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God's Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism
Christians throughout history have been strengthened by their confidence that God knows everything about the future. But consider What if it simply is not true? What if God can only rely on His best guess about tomorrow―just as you and I do? Would it not affect your trust in Him, your confidence in facing the future, your worship, and your motivation to leave everything in His hands? And yet this is what a number of leading voices in evangelicalism are proposing under the doctrine of open theism. Open theism adjusts the entire picture of God's sovereignty and involvement in our lives. Bruce Ware carefully summarizes and critiques this dangerous doctrine from a thoroughly biblical perspective, exploring their implications and faithfully pinpointing the subtle ways that open theism undermines our trust in God and lessens His glory in our lives.
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2000
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About the author
Bruce A. Ware
34 books52 followersBruce A. Ware (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has written numerous journal articles, book chapters, book reviews, and has authored God's Lesser Glory, God's Greater Glory, and Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 24, 2023
Really really good. Read for seminary paper. Great confrontation of the horrific doctrine of Open Theism.
December 11, 2010
I had heard of open theism but didn't give it much thought because, frankly, I couldn't believe that a rational Bible reading Christian could accept it, then my pastor told me, on 2 occasions, that he does not believe that God knows the future.....somehow this view is supposed to "protect" God from any charge of unfairness when the inevitable trial comes into one's life.
How is a God who needs protection God?????
Bruce Ware takes this view to task, explaining it in detail and refuting it soundly using The Holy Bible, no less!
I found myself incredulous and furious at the lengths people are going to in order to keep God from being God, as this book focuses on dealing a doctrine that is, IMHO, heretical. So, after reading this one, I read GOD'S GREATER GLORY, which sort of rounded it all out and is more uplifting. I highly recommend reading them both, but don't think you will finish them quickly. You have to think when reading Ware in order to digest all of the rich things he has to say!
How is a God who needs protection God?????
Bruce Ware takes this view to task, explaining it in detail and refuting it soundly using The Holy Bible, no less!
I found myself incredulous and furious at the lengths people are going to in order to keep God from being God, as this book focuses on dealing a doctrine that is, IMHO, heretical. So, after reading this one, I read GOD'S GREATER GLORY, which sort of rounded it all out and is more uplifting. I highly recommend reading them both, but don't think you will finish them quickly. You have to think when reading Ware in order to digest all of the rich things he has to say!
February 25, 2009
Upholding the orthodox teaching of God’s omniscience against theological error, Bruce Ware wrote this compelling book which combats the aberrant view called open theism. The open theist position claims that God is unaware of the future and unable to control most, if not all, circumstances. It falsely portrays God as one who does not interfere with man’s free-will and who learns from humans as He interacts with them, adjusting His purposes as necessary.
In God’s Lesser Glory, Ware describes the openness view, explains their biblical arguments, and then reveals their inconsistencies in comparison to the full counsel of God’s Word. He effectively lays a foundation of quotes from openness advocates and critically examines their unreliable hermeneutic. The author explains in this work that this position is detrimental to the glory of God. Ware’s subtitle for this book is appropriate: The Diminished God of Open Theism.
A primary reason that this belief is even embraced by anyone is the common misunderstanding of the nature of man in relation to God. Ware explains that the false Arminian view of libertarian free-will is the root cause of this theological fallacy. When one begins with a view of man having complete freedom of will, then the slippery slope of that view naturally results in a God who is unwilling or—even worse—unable to accomplish what He has purposed so as to not interfere with man’s almighty freedom of choice. If man’s choices are off limits, then God Himself is inept to predetermine that anything come to pass. The majority of texts used to support this position are from historical narrative, causing one to wonder why there are no arguments from the surplus of didactic literature found in the New Testament. While some of these contentions might be convincing to the untrained Bible reader, it becomes quickly obvious that they would not hold water for anyone with a consistent method of interpretation. It is also apparent after a few chapters that this view is not only a differing theological perspective within orthodoxy, but rather the openness view is a great danger to the church—even a theological heresy.
One of this work’s greatest strengths is the way in which Ware builds the biblical case against the preferred verses of the openness camp. He lines up their proof-texts and, like clay pigeons in a firing range, shoots down their arguments one by one. While doing this, he explains why some of these texts seem to reveal God’s uncertainty about certain incidents (67-98). He points out that God often had men pray for something that He already planned on doing (as in prolonging Hezekiah’s life in 2 Kings 20), for the sole purpose of eliciting a response from them (86-98). He also takes many openness arguments to their logical conclusion, showing how their own position is often inconsistent with their insistence upon libertarian free-will.
After using the “analogy of faith” to undermine the proof-texts of openness advocates, Ware does a masterful job of gathering the most clear and profound Scriptures proclaiming the Sovereignty of God (99-141). While all of his choices effectively show the futility of the open position, his usage of Isaiah chapters 40-48 strike like a hammer, shattering any bogus argument limiting God’s foreknowledge. Ware demonstrates how all eight chapters are devoted to proving that Yahweh is the only God in existence who knows the future before it happens. He states, “[H:]ow utterly impertinent and presumptuous to deny of God divine foreknowledge and so deny the very basis by which God himself has declared that his claim to deity shall be vindicated and made known” (104). The evidence is unmistakable. The open theist is attempting to remove from God the only evidence that He has given to prove that He is who He claims to be. At this point one recognizes the subtle evil that under-girds this theological position, and the title that Ware chose for this book becomes all the more significant.
Following the insurmountable Scriptural evidence, the book focuses on the importance of a correct view of Sovereignty and how a wrong view affects practical aspects of life. What happens when a Christian is suffering? What happens when a tragedy befalls a child of God? Is God as surprised with these events as the one who is subjected to them? Again Ware comforts the believer with sound doctrine, reminding the reader all the while of the trouble that open theism brings. The contrast between views is striking. Confidence, trust and peace for the one who knows that God is upholding all things by the power of His word, and fear, uncertainty and hopelessness for the one whose God is not in a position to intervene on his behalf. The open view of God weakens the believer’s trust in God’s guidance and leaves him in a state of despair when things go wrong. The God that was once an indestructible force for good on our behalf, becomes weak and incapable to protect those who trust in Him. The author tactfully illustrates the decay of the sovereignty view this way: “Open theism does to the believer’s confidence in God’s leading what the incoming tide does to a beautifully crafted and elaborate sand castle. Little by little, room by room, wall by wall, the surety of our faith is swept away. We can hardly tell any longer what was there before” (187).
As one surveys the panoply of theological debate within the church today, there are subjects that we are clearly not to divide over. Open theism is not one of those. This doctrine is dangerous on many levels, and truly does diminish the glory of God. God’s Lesser Glory is an important book for the church today, and I highly recommend it to those who find themselves up against the teaching of this diminished view of God.
In God’s Lesser Glory, Ware describes the openness view, explains their biblical arguments, and then reveals their inconsistencies in comparison to the full counsel of God’s Word. He effectively lays a foundation of quotes from openness advocates and critically examines their unreliable hermeneutic. The author explains in this work that this position is detrimental to the glory of God. Ware’s subtitle for this book is appropriate: The Diminished God of Open Theism.
A primary reason that this belief is even embraced by anyone is the common misunderstanding of the nature of man in relation to God. Ware explains that the false Arminian view of libertarian free-will is the root cause of this theological fallacy. When one begins with a view of man having complete freedom of will, then the slippery slope of that view naturally results in a God who is unwilling or—even worse—unable to accomplish what He has purposed so as to not interfere with man’s almighty freedom of choice. If man’s choices are off limits, then God Himself is inept to predetermine that anything come to pass. The majority of texts used to support this position are from historical narrative, causing one to wonder why there are no arguments from the surplus of didactic literature found in the New Testament. While some of these contentions might be convincing to the untrained Bible reader, it becomes quickly obvious that they would not hold water for anyone with a consistent method of interpretation. It is also apparent after a few chapters that this view is not only a differing theological perspective within orthodoxy, but rather the openness view is a great danger to the church—even a theological heresy.
One of this work’s greatest strengths is the way in which Ware builds the biblical case against the preferred verses of the openness camp. He lines up their proof-texts and, like clay pigeons in a firing range, shoots down their arguments one by one. While doing this, he explains why some of these texts seem to reveal God’s uncertainty about certain incidents (67-98). He points out that God often had men pray for something that He already planned on doing (as in prolonging Hezekiah’s life in 2 Kings 20), for the sole purpose of eliciting a response from them (86-98). He also takes many openness arguments to their logical conclusion, showing how their own position is often inconsistent with their insistence upon libertarian free-will.
After using the “analogy of faith” to undermine the proof-texts of openness advocates, Ware does a masterful job of gathering the most clear and profound Scriptures proclaiming the Sovereignty of God (99-141). While all of his choices effectively show the futility of the open position, his usage of Isaiah chapters 40-48 strike like a hammer, shattering any bogus argument limiting God’s foreknowledge. Ware demonstrates how all eight chapters are devoted to proving that Yahweh is the only God in existence who knows the future before it happens. He states, “[H:]ow utterly impertinent and presumptuous to deny of God divine foreknowledge and so deny the very basis by which God himself has declared that his claim to deity shall be vindicated and made known” (104). The evidence is unmistakable. The open theist is attempting to remove from God the only evidence that He has given to prove that He is who He claims to be. At this point one recognizes the subtle evil that under-girds this theological position, and the title that Ware chose for this book becomes all the more significant.
Following the insurmountable Scriptural evidence, the book focuses on the importance of a correct view of Sovereignty and how a wrong view affects practical aspects of life. What happens when a Christian is suffering? What happens when a tragedy befalls a child of God? Is God as surprised with these events as the one who is subjected to them? Again Ware comforts the believer with sound doctrine, reminding the reader all the while of the trouble that open theism brings. The contrast between views is striking. Confidence, trust and peace for the one who knows that God is upholding all things by the power of His word, and fear, uncertainty and hopelessness for the one whose God is not in a position to intervene on his behalf. The open view of God weakens the believer’s trust in God’s guidance and leaves him in a state of despair when things go wrong. The God that was once an indestructible force for good on our behalf, becomes weak and incapable to protect those who trust in Him. The author tactfully illustrates the decay of the sovereignty view this way: “Open theism does to the believer’s confidence in God’s leading what the incoming tide does to a beautifully crafted and elaborate sand castle. Little by little, room by room, wall by wall, the surety of our faith is swept away. We can hardly tell any longer what was there before” (187).
As one surveys the panoply of theological debate within the church today, there are subjects that we are clearly not to divide over. Open theism is not one of those. This doctrine is dangerous on many levels, and truly does diminish the glory of God. God’s Lesser Glory is an important book for the church today, and I highly recommend it to those who find themselves up against the teaching of this diminished view of God.
August 11, 2019
A brilliant critique of Open Theism. The orthodox doctrine of God is set forth as Scriptural and the Open Theist position is 'weighed in the balances and found wanting' (Daniel 5: 27 NKJV).
The book left me wondering if the open theists have strayed so far from the Christian concept of God that they are no longer entitled to be regarded as Christian theists.
Well worth the time and effort to read.
The book left me wondering if the open theists have strayed so far from the Christian concept of God that they are no longer entitled to be regarded as Christian theists.
Well worth the time and effort to read.
February 21, 2019
Bruce Ware in his book, God’s Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism provides a humble, reasonable, balanced and well-represented Biblical critique, exposing the grave error of Open Theism (O.T.) and the Biblical basis for classical Christian Theism (C.T.). O.T. asserts that although God knows the past and present exhaustively, He does not have a comprehensive knowledge of the future; and God does not foreknow free human choice actions. O.T. present a God that is like us, His creature and claim that this is what is most loving, intimate and devotional. They defend their position with Scripture, which is what makes O.T. so dangerous. Ware, examines each passage that O.T. would use to support their deadly doctrine, demonstrating that the god of O.T. is not the God of the Bible. The god of O.T. is limited, learning, growing, not in control, not all-powerful and not all wise. Ware shows how O.T. dishonors God by redefining and denying His perfections, contradicting and twisting Scripture and causing hindrance or destruction to one’s faith. O.T. takes many passages out of their context to support its erroneous teaching; and it ignores the many passages of Scripture which clearly teach the exhaustive Divine knowledge of the future. O.T. adopts a faulty hermeneutic which cannot be held consistently; and a man-centered interpretation of Scripture—eisegesis. It makes God’s promises and prophecies, such as the crucifixion uncertain and contingent. Contra O.T., through careful exegesis within the bounds of a sound Biblical hermeneutic (literal-grammatical-historical, L.G.H), Ware defends C.T. which asserts that God is omniscient (all-knowing)—He knows the future exhaustively, He is omnipotent (all-powerful); and He will accomplish His eternally sovereign plans through His providential governance of His creation without interfering with human freedom.
Ware’s book is divided into three parts. 1) O.T.’s defense and perceived benefits; this section also includes the perceived inadequacies of Classical Arminian view of Divine Providence (31–62). 2) O.T.’s unbiblical view of God (65–10). 3) The practical implications of these differing positions in the believer’s life (163–216).
Ware’s book is divided into three parts. 1) O.T.’s defense and perceived benefits; this section also includes the perceived inadequacies of Classical Arminian view of Divine Providence (31–62). 2) O.T.’s unbiblical view of God (65–10). 3) The practical implications of these differing positions in the believer’s life (163–216).
January 5, 2020
Excellent assessment of a controversial theological position.
July 19, 2024
A USEFUL CRITIQUE OF OPEN THEISM
Bruce Ware wrote in the Preface to this 2000 book, "Readers will find this book unkind to open theism... this debate with open theism is central, not peripheral. It has everything to do with the God whom we trust, follow, honor, and obey."
Ware cites John Sanders' interpretation of God's promises to Noah, and comments, "Here, then, God second-guesses his prior decision. 'Perhaps this is not after all the best way to deal with despicable human evil,' God apparently reasons... And given that God promises never again to act in this manner... God must have felt very badly about what he had done." (Pg. 54) He later summarizes, "What confidence can we have in a God who must second-guess his own actions? ... If God is not sure that what he does is best, can we be sure that he really knows what he is doing?" (Pg. 159)
He quotes Isaiah 48:3-8, observing that what this passage asserts is nothing short of massive foreknowledge and absolute accuracy, "neither one of which can be accounted for in open theism." (Pg. 118-119) Concerning Deut 18:18-22, he comments, "If God lacked knowledge of the future, how could he predict such matters with such accuracy and certainty...?" (Pg. 137)
He asks hypothetically, "Why would one ever think that it is a benefit to us that God takes into account what we think as he decides what is best? How can it be better that God and I decide my future together, rather than leaving this altogether in God's infinitely wise and perfect hands? Who do we think we are?" (Pg. 186-187)
Ware's book is a spirited and useful contribution to this ongoing debate.
Bruce Ware wrote in the Preface to this 2000 book, "Readers will find this book unkind to open theism... this debate with open theism is central, not peripheral. It has everything to do with the God whom we trust, follow, honor, and obey."
Ware cites John Sanders' interpretation of God's promises to Noah, and comments, "Here, then, God second-guesses his prior decision. 'Perhaps this is not after all the best way to deal with despicable human evil,' God apparently reasons... And given that God promises never again to act in this manner... God must have felt very badly about what he had done." (Pg. 54) He later summarizes, "What confidence can we have in a God who must second-guess his own actions? ... If God is not sure that what he does is best, can we be sure that he really knows what he is doing?" (Pg. 159)
He quotes Isaiah 48:3-8, observing that what this passage asserts is nothing short of massive foreknowledge and absolute accuracy, "neither one of which can be accounted for in open theism." (Pg. 118-119) Concerning Deut 18:18-22, he comments, "If God lacked knowledge of the future, how could he predict such matters with such accuracy and certainty...?" (Pg. 137)
He asks hypothetically, "Why would one ever think that it is a benefit to us that God takes into account what we think as he decides what is best? How can it be better that God and I decide my future together, rather than leaving this altogether in God's infinitely wise and perfect hands? Who do we think we are?" (Pg. 186-187)
Ware's book is a spirited and useful contribution to this ongoing debate.
April 27, 2021
I think Bruce Ware is one of the most intelligent people defending the Christian faith in today's world...but that doesn't mean he is infallible OR that he can't get too focused on minutia. There are people who draw lines between process theology and open theism, but in my opinion (which can also be wrong) they are essentially the same thing with different names.
Ware has a strong emotional response to open theism, that drives much of the book. His strong stance on the the sovereignty of God causes him to not address certain issues that people may have questions about in the depths it needs to be covered (freewill).
Don't get me wrong this is a good book with lots and lots of good, sound, and biblical reasoning...it is better than most others could do...I simply wanted it to be perfect (haha).
Ware has a strong emotional response to open theism, that drives much of the book. His strong stance on the the sovereignty of God causes him to not address certain issues that people may have questions about in the depths it needs to be covered (freewill).
Don't get me wrong this is a good book with lots and lots of good, sound, and biblical reasoning...it is better than most others could do...I simply wanted it to be perfect (haha).
October 3, 2020
I would have given it five stars except for the last chapter, which was not the amazing crescendo I was anticipating. More a problem with my expectation than a fault of the author though. This is an excellent book and, unfortunately, a necessary book for our times. It correctly and methodically lays out the case against open theism while maintaining a loving attitude toward these misled believers. Open theism exalts man's free will to the point that it hamstrings God and leaves Him powerless to overcome His creatures and even the devil and evil. How anyone could trust a god like that is beyond me. Ware's writing style is pleasant and very balanced. He always sides with love and compassion while pointing out the errors and dangers of Open Theism.
March 26, 2025
Bruce Ware shows convincingly that open theis is not just a mistake in people's teheology but a blasphemous heretical idea that needs to be repudiated by all lovers of God's word. There are areas I cannot follow where he goes in his understanding of God's simplicity yet this is a great book that uphods the Glory of the Sovereign meticulous providence and exhaustive knowledge of God against as Ware puts it the diminished and lesser glory of open theism's god.
December 28, 2017
A savage dismantling of Pelagianism, manifesting these days as Open Theism or some inconsistent flavor of semi-Pelagianism. Ware does a masterful job of linking the so-called debate between free-will and divine sovereignty to the biblical concern: God's glory. The god of any form of Pelagianism is a glory-less idol, worthy of no person's worship or faith.
July 3, 2023
You don’t need to read this book to know how unbiblical, diminishing and damaging this view of God is. But it certainly is helpful and worth the time to read through. Ware diagnoses/critiques as fair as one can be with what the Bible actually says about Who our God is. Also in the last section providing a good work through of the bleak implications of Christian living in holding the open view.
September 9, 2017
Fantastic!
November 10, 2018
This is a well-informed, charitable, but complete demolition of "open theism."
January 21, 2021
A needed book on the dangerous doctrine of open theism. Ware handles all the arguments with biblical precision and shows how open theism is not compatible with the God of the Bible.
March 19, 2023
This book examines a mistaken doctrine I didn't even know existed but is apparently gaining ground. What happens when your God is too small? The ramifications are frightening.
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July 23, 2011This is a great resource for any pastor to have, concerning the Open Theism debate. Prior to reading this book, I have heard many good things about this work. I want to give some of my personal highlights in reading this book.
For readers who are new to the Open Theism controversy, the work is a good introduction from an orthodox, Evangelical perspective. Readers might ask what is so important about the controversy, in which Ware’s introductory chapter illustrate the implication of the idea that God does not know the future. Having develop the importance of the subject, Ware devotes about thirty pages of part one in the book giving a fair description of Open Theism’s theology. I have also enjoyed reading the footnotes in this section, as a way of knowing what the primary sources for further studies are.
Since no one approach any theological disagreement in a vacuum, I was glad to see Ware treat the topic of Open Theism in the larger context of the discussion of providence, and gave a point of reference here of the relationship of Open Theism to Classical Arminianism, Middle Knowledge and Calvinism. It was quite insightful, especially seeing the interaction of various thoughts that Open theists has, in reaching their conclusion of what Ware called the “perceived benefits of Open theismâ€, which was the title of chapter three in Ware’s book. Readers will be able to see the concerns that drive Open theists to their conclusion, and can see Open advocates in a more human light than simple demonizing of it’s proponents.
The second portion of the book is devoted to refuting Open Theism, and has three chapters. The first chapter here is an assessment of the positive biblical case that Open Theists have provided in denying God’s exhaustive foreknowledge. Ware discusses a bit about the hermeneutical issue of when the text seem to be “straight-forwardâ€, for the Open Theist camp. As a constructive criticism of Ware, I wished he could have worked out this section more concerning the hermeneutics of Open Theism, seeing that the debate is hermeneutical in nature. Despite what I think is a shortcoming in this chapter, nevertheless this chapter is valuable since it allows the reader to know what the popular texts the Open theists like to use for their position.
If the previous chapter was Ware’s negative arguments, the next chapter is his positive argument for God’s exhaustive foreknowledge. Here, Ware provides what is probably the most verses out of all his chapters. The bulk of this chapter is made of Ware’s discussion on the Isaiah texts concerning God’s foreknowledge, and this alone establish a strong case. Ware also adds to this chapter, further discussion of other verses as well, which teach on divine foreknowledge. As an instance where “doing theology†is not just for head knowledge, I was at awe in this chapter of how in many instances Scripture teaches that the true living God of the Bible is different from other gods in that He can know the future before it happens. Studying the greatness of the characteristic of the true God, I can not help but to praise God and worship Him!
In the last portion of the book, Ware explores the real-life implication of open theism. I appreciate this section, knowing that all of theology has ramification for Christian living, it is thus an insightful method of criticism by exploring what does any particularly theology mean, in real life. The consequences of open theism is not as pleasant as the reader might think.
Ware explores the denial of exhaustive Divine foreknowledge as it relates to Christian prayer. In essence, prayer becomes meaningless if the God of Open Theism was real. There are materials here that I have to think over more carefully concerning Ware’s argument, in particular I wonder if it follows that God has to know the future in order for Him to hear our prayers now.
I was more fascinated with the next chapter’s discussion of how the theology of Open Theism weakens one’s basis to trust in the guidance of a God who does not know the future. Indeed, this chapter is related to the chapter on prayer, for if the God of Open Theism can not be trusted for guidance, why should one communicate through prayer to this God for guidance?
In particular, I enjoyed Ware’s discussion of Romans 8 in this chapter. In review of the book at large, I would definitely recommend this work to every pastor, to be equipped in handling Open Theism. I would also recommend this work to anyone who struggles through this divisive issue, and wants an informed and balance response.
For readers who are new to the Open Theism controversy, the work is a good introduction from an orthodox, Evangelical perspective. Readers might ask what is so important about the controversy, in which Ware’s introductory chapter illustrate the implication of the idea that God does not know the future. Having develop the importance of the subject, Ware devotes about thirty pages of part one in the book giving a fair description of Open Theism’s theology. I have also enjoyed reading the footnotes in this section, as a way of knowing what the primary sources for further studies are.
Since no one approach any theological disagreement in a vacuum, I was glad to see Ware treat the topic of Open Theism in the larger context of the discussion of providence, and gave a point of reference here of the relationship of Open Theism to Classical Arminianism, Middle Knowledge and Calvinism. It was quite insightful, especially seeing the interaction of various thoughts that Open theists has, in reaching their conclusion of what Ware called the “perceived benefits of Open theismâ€, which was the title of chapter three in Ware’s book. Readers will be able to see the concerns that drive Open theists to their conclusion, and can see Open advocates in a more human light than simple demonizing of it’s proponents.
The second portion of the book is devoted to refuting Open Theism, and has three chapters. The first chapter here is an assessment of the positive biblical case that Open Theists have provided in denying God’s exhaustive foreknowledge. Ware discusses a bit about the hermeneutical issue of when the text seem to be “straight-forwardâ€, for the Open Theist camp. As a constructive criticism of Ware, I wished he could have worked out this section more concerning the hermeneutics of Open Theism, seeing that the debate is hermeneutical in nature. Despite what I think is a shortcoming in this chapter, nevertheless this chapter is valuable since it allows the reader to know what the popular texts the Open theists like to use for their position.
If the previous chapter was Ware’s negative arguments, the next chapter is his positive argument for God’s exhaustive foreknowledge. Here, Ware provides what is probably the most verses out of all his chapters. The bulk of this chapter is made of Ware’s discussion on the Isaiah texts concerning God’s foreknowledge, and this alone establish a strong case. Ware also adds to this chapter, further discussion of other verses as well, which teach on divine foreknowledge. As an instance where “doing theology†is not just for head knowledge, I was at awe in this chapter of how in many instances Scripture teaches that the true living God of the Bible is different from other gods in that He can know the future before it happens. Studying the greatness of the characteristic of the true God, I can not help but to praise God and worship Him!
In the last portion of the book, Ware explores the real-life implication of open theism. I appreciate this section, knowing that all of theology has ramification for Christian living, it is thus an insightful method of criticism by exploring what does any particularly theology mean, in real life. The consequences of open theism is not as pleasant as the reader might think.
Ware explores the denial of exhaustive Divine foreknowledge as it relates to Christian prayer. In essence, prayer becomes meaningless if the God of Open Theism was real. There are materials here that I have to think over more carefully concerning Ware’s argument, in particular I wonder if it follows that God has to know the future in order for Him to hear our prayers now.
I was more fascinated with the next chapter’s discussion of how the theology of Open Theism weakens one’s basis to trust in the guidance of a God who does not know the future. Indeed, this chapter is related to the chapter on prayer, for if the God of Open Theism can not be trusted for guidance, why should one communicate through prayer to this God for guidance?
In particular, I enjoyed Ware’s discussion of Romans 8 in this chapter. In review of the book at large, I would definitely recommend this work to every pastor, to be equipped in handling Open Theism. I would also recommend this work to anyone who struggles through this divisive issue, and wants an informed and balance response.
April 30, 2014
Please note that this is Ceira's dad writing this review, not Ceira.
Just finished this book. It's a worthy read if you're considering Open Theism (OT). Ware's points are not all good, but many are. I think he gives a fair portrayal of OT before trying to rebut it--including making it sound appealing at first. He did well in rebutting the side of OT that suggests God makes mistakes and has to back-pedal from his actions (ever), saying that if God, in Deut 18:18-22, requires perfect predictions from a prophet (any prophet or even just "THE" prophet that was to come), then surely God must be able to meet the same standard.
What he failed to rebut is the idea of OT that says God made mankind (and angels) to be able to make their own choices and God has to deal with these choices, good or bad (mostly bad on the human side, I'd say). I'm of the opinion that this part of OT makes the most sense, and yet God isn't hampered by us going the wrong way--He is able to use it to His glory every time, which is much more amazing to me than if He plans everything in the first place.
Ware also failed to make a good case for God knowing the future exhaustively, saying if God didn't know the future (including all our choices), how could He make the prophetic predictions He does? I think the answer to that is that God is amazing! Surely His glory doesn't suffer if He, not knowing how each individual will choose at each opportunity, can still make His will happen in spite of all our bad choices and Satan's attempts to thwart it. The hard part is figuring out what His will is--if His will is to give everyone the choice to love and serve Him or not, but still to save mankind, it seems He's more than capable of doing both. In fact, suggesting that God has to know the future in order to predict something suggests to me a god of lesser glory.
But the book is a good one to include in the conversation between "classical" theists and "open" theists.
Just finished this book. It's a worthy read if you're considering Open Theism (OT). Ware's points are not all good, but many are. I think he gives a fair portrayal of OT before trying to rebut it--including making it sound appealing at first. He did well in rebutting the side of OT that suggests God makes mistakes and has to back-pedal from his actions (ever), saying that if God, in Deut 18:18-22, requires perfect predictions from a prophet (any prophet or even just "THE" prophet that was to come), then surely God must be able to meet the same standard.
What he failed to rebut is the idea of OT that says God made mankind (and angels) to be able to make their own choices and God has to deal with these choices, good or bad (mostly bad on the human side, I'd say). I'm of the opinion that this part of OT makes the most sense, and yet God isn't hampered by us going the wrong way--He is able to use it to His glory every time, which is much more amazing to me than if He plans everything in the first place.
Ware also failed to make a good case for God knowing the future exhaustively, saying if God didn't know the future (including all our choices), how could He make the prophetic predictions He does? I think the answer to that is that God is amazing! Surely His glory doesn't suffer if He, not knowing how each individual will choose at each opportunity, can still make His will happen in spite of all our bad choices and Satan's attempts to thwart it. The hard part is figuring out what His will is--if His will is to give everyone the choice to love and serve Him or not, but still to save mankind, it seems He's more than capable of doing both. In fact, suggesting that God has to know the future in order to predict something suggests to me a god of lesser glory.
But the book is a good one to include in the conversation between "classical" theists and "open" theists.
January 9, 2013
A great critique of Open Theism. The book is comprised of three major sections:
1. What does open theism propose?
Basically an extension of Armenianism, open theology puts forth the logical, yet extra-biblical assumption that with the existence of true libertarian freedom, it is impossible for God to truly be in control, and thereby really know what the future holds. This section looks at the major claims and theological holdings of open theology, with light critiquing along the way.
2. What's wrong with open theism's view of God?
The meat of the book can be found in this section. By examining the most prominent declarations of exhaustive divine foreknowledge in the Bible, we see the complete breakdown and exposing of the poor exegesis and interpretation offered by open theists.
3. What difference does it make in daily life?
A look at the practical implications of open theism. Ware shows just how open theism, in the words of John Piper, "distorts scripture, damages faith, and would, if left unchecked, destroys churches and lives" (from the endorsement on the back of the book).
The highlight of the book for me was Ware's examination of Isaiah 45 (and surrounding chapters). Here it is shown that in His challenge to pagan idols, God qualified His perfect and exhaustive foreknowledge of all things, past and present, to be the prime proof of His true deity. What is learned from this is that open theists strip away from God the very thing He uses to prove deity, thereby reducing Him to the level of the idols he sought to exalt himself above.
1. What does open theism propose?
Basically an extension of Armenianism, open theology puts forth the logical, yet extra-biblical assumption that with the existence of true libertarian freedom, it is impossible for God to truly be in control, and thereby really know what the future holds. This section looks at the major claims and theological holdings of open theology, with light critiquing along the way.
2. What's wrong with open theism's view of God?
The meat of the book can be found in this section. By examining the most prominent declarations of exhaustive divine foreknowledge in the Bible, we see the complete breakdown and exposing of the poor exegesis and interpretation offered by open theists.
3. What difference does it make in daily life?
A look at the practical implications of open theism. Ware shows just how open theism, in the words of John Piper, "distorts scripture, damages faith, and would, if left unchecked, destroys churches and lives" (from the endorsement on the back of the book).
The highlight of the book for me was Ware's examination of Isaiah 45 (and surrounding chapters). Here it is shown that in His challenge to pagan idols, God qualified His perfect and exhaustive foreknowledge of all things, past and present, to be the prime proof of His true deity. What is learned from this is that open theists strip away from God the very thing He uses to prove deity, thereby reducing Him to the level of the idols he sought to exalt himself above.
March 15, 2014
Ware carefully and thoroughly destroys Open Theism in a way that shows just how much he loves God and is passionate about his glory. Particularly devastating to Open Theism is Ware's ability to show us what the Bible says on this topic, as well as the pastoral implications of Open Theism. He doesn't go to great lengths to show the positive alternative but it is both implicit and referred to throughout.
The sections are as follows:
-Intro
-What is Open Theism?
-What's wrong with Open Theism?
-What difference does Open Theism make?
-Conclusion
This is an academic book and is therefore a little stodgy and often repetitive, especially in the middle section when he brings Bible text after Bible text to bear. Although that approach is wholly necessary, I wouldn't recommend this to most Christians.
The sections are as follows:
-Intro
-What is Open Theism?
-What's wrong with Open Theism?
-What difference does Open Theism make?
-Conclusion
This is an academic book and is therefore a little stodgy and often repetitive, especially in the middle section when he brings Bible text after Bible text to bear. Although that approach is wholly necessary, I wouldn't recommend this to most Christians.
June 22, 2016
Ware does well to raise many issues with Open Theism, but does not discuss many Scriptures which give the possibility of freedom of choice and how those verses can fit into a more deterministic view of the Sovereignty of God. His deterministic bias comes through and he does not adequately deal with problems determinism creates. However, it is good to think deep thoughts about God, and this book causes one to do just that. Not for those who are looking for easy answers to deep theological questions.
July 31, 2014
I've never been an advocate for open theism due to the fact that I cannot find scriptural evidence to support an open view of God. In fact, I feel scripture is in complete opposition to the open view of God. I feel Bruce Ware made a complete and persuasive case outlining this fact. While I don't share his views on Calvinism, he certainly makes a tremendous advocate for such a view. I would definitely recommend for those who are interested in these theological issues.
January 18, 2008
Solid critique of a very controversial movement. Open Theism ends up much like the old Process Theology. It is driven by folks who regard themselves as evangelicals despite their real problems with orthodoxy. In their zeal to explain the problem of evil they strip God of some of his key attributes.
Try also John Frame's *No Other God* (2001).
Try also John Frame's *No Other God* (2001).
September 17, 2012
Very disappointing. I was looking for a logical response to open theism, and ended up with an emotional response to it. It is ok for the author to be passionate against, but he needs to pull himself together in order to present a foundational argument that is not emotionally driven, but biblically responsive. I expected better and more.
November 28, 2014
Open Theism is a new doctrine that is a false doctrine that has developed among biblical scholars over the past 20 years. Dr. Ware presents the doctrine and refutes against the doctrine; meaning, he explains why this view is false and diminishes God's providence and his glory.
August 16, 2013
Overwhelming argument against open theism
January 5, 2014
Good, basic work addressing the biblical, theological, and practical issues of what is generally referred to as Open Theology.
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