About this item
Highlights
- Evangelical theology has grappled with open theism and its alternative doctrine of God for decades.
- About the Author: Richard Rice (PhD, University of Chicago Divinity School) is professor of religion at Loma Linda University.
- 264 Pages
- Religion + Beliefs, Christian Theology
Description
About the Book
Evangelical theology has grappled with open theism and its alternative doctrine of God for decades. Richard Rice recounts the history of open theism from its antecedents and early developments to its more recent expressions, considering how it might continue to develop in relation to several primary doctrines of the Christian faith.
Book Synopsis
Evangelical theology has grappled with open theism and its alternative doctrine of God for decades. Richard Rice recounts the history of open theism from its antecedents and early developments to its more recent expressions, considering how it might continue to develop in relation to several primary doctrines of the Christian faith.
Review Quotes
"In this well-written, impressively comprehensive, and compellingly argued work, Richard Rice outlines the past, present, and (what may be) the future of open theism. Reflecting an admirably irenic spirit at every turn, Rice discusses not only the multitude of theological and philosophical issues that separate open theists from their critics, but also that distinguish different varieties of open theism from one another. Whether you're an advocate, critic, or just an interested bystander, after reading The Future of Open Theism, I suspect you'll be surprised by how much about open theism you did not know! This is simply indispensable reading for anyone interested in this important topic."
"Rice gives us a splendid overview of the history of open theism along with insightful responses to major criticisms. He does so with a gentle spirit that identifies areas of agreement between its critics and proponents. He carefully notes areas of difference among open theists on several topics. Lastly, he explores open theism in relation to topics such as the Trinity, the church, and eschatology. This is a clearly written guide to contemporary open theism."
"Richard Rice offers a very accessible, evenhanded coming-of-age discussion of open theism-past, present, and future. Starting with an engaging account of its origins and fiery, unwelcomed entry into conservative Christian strongholds, Rice goes on to give an instructive overview of the important theological debates open theism has sparked in mainstream theological and philosophical circles. Finally, Rice points to interesting ways in which the basic tenets of open theism can contribute to a fuller, richer understanding of key theological concepts such as the Trinity, Christology, the church, and last things. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand why open theism continues to have so much appeal to thoughtful Christian laypeople looking for ways to reconcile their theological beliefs about God and the world with their lived experience."
"Richard Rice offers us a fantastic book on a subject he knows intimately: open theology. The book explores precursors to this contemporary movement while addressing open theism's critics and explaining its varieties. Rice summarizes main ideas while breaking new ground to explain how the open view beautifully portrays doctrines central to Christianity. This book is now the ground floor for discussions of open theism in the present and future!"
"Richard Rice's book provides something lacking until now: a broad overview of the open theist movement that places it in its historical perspective. A partisan himself, Rice is consistently fair and accurate, both in setting out open theism and in discussing objections to the position and replies to them. His theological reflections provide one theologian's perspective on the broader implications of the position and constitute an invitation to others to develop their own open theist theologies beyond the rather narrow range of questions that have dominated most of the literature. This book is required reading for all who have been challenged by this dynamic theological movement."
About the Author
Richard Rice (PhD, University of Chicago Divinity School) is professor of religion at Loma Linda University. He is the author of several books, including Suffering and the Search for Meaning, Reason and the Contours of Faith, and God's Foreknowledge and Man's Free Will, and coauthor of The Openness of God: A Biblical Challenge to the Traditional Understanding of God.