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John Earp
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1715
| Posted 2/9/2003 9:35 AM (GMT -6) |   | This question was posed to me by a Calvinist. Basically, they said that Open Theism implies that God is simply a good guesser when he prophesies about the future, and cannot be sure. I realize that Open Theists have pointed out that they affirm that what God has purposed, none will be able to thwart," as in the oft-quoted Isaiah passages (e.g., "My purpose shall stand," etc).
The argument of this Calvinist acquaintance of mine was that, for example, Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial involved a morally free (and thus blameworthy) act on the part of Peter which was also a definitely foreknown act. If we argue that this was part of the future which God had determined ahead of time to be true (and thus caused or at the very least allowed by God), then how was this in fact a morally responsible act by Peter, as Peter truly had no choice in the matter?
If this has been addressed in any of Dr. Boyd's books already, please let me know where exactly to look. Thanks.
In Christ,
John
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God. (Heb. 12:14)
www.revivaltheology.net
Edited by - John Earp on 02/09/2003 3:50:43 PM | | Back to Top | | |
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John Earp
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1715
| Posted 2/10/2003 5:06 PM (GMT -6) | | Okay, was my question too dumb to respond to or a stumper? I am definitely not trying to discredit Open Theism (as I believe the OV best explains reality), I am simply and only asking for a bit of help on this possible objection to Open Theism. Anyone? Bueller?
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God (Heb. 12:14)
revivaltheology.net
Edited by - John Earp on 02/10/2003 11:06:02 PM | | Back to Top | | |
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BJS
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2001
Total Posts : 587
| Posted 2/10/2003 6:08 PM (GMT -6) | | Hey John, sorry we've left you hanging here. This is a good question. Doc treats Peter's denial on pp. 35-37 of "God of the Possible." If you don't have the book and want a recap of Doc's position, let me know.
Brett
"Siste viator et memento mori." | | Back to Top | | |
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SeanG
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2002
Total Posts : 278
| Posted 2/18/2003 12:21 AM (GMT -6) | | Your Calvinist friend makes a good point John Earp. Not only do we find Jesus telling Peter of his three denials before a rooster crows (John 13:38 w/ 18:19-27), but also what kind of death Peter would experience (John 21:18-19). Jesus even predicted that Judas would be the one who would betray him (John 6:64, 70-71), and Jesus (being God) predicted even how much this betrayal would cost (Zechariah 11:12) about 550 years prior, roughly.“In all these cases, Jesus’ predictions require that other humans do precisely what Jesus predicted they would do. Yet, these are not presented as mere guesses regarding the future. Rather, Jesus knows what other free agents will in fact choose to do, states what the future actions will be, and provides his reason for so doing: ‘so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.’” (God’s Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism, by Bruce Ware, p. 127) The fact that Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him three times and not two or four (or forty) times, is not explained by Jesus “perfect knowledge” of Peter’s past conduct and character (ibid, p. 128,).
SeanG!"Evolution is the substance of fossils hoped for, the evidence of links not seen."
“The problem with creation is not that it has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult, and left untried.”
Edited by - SeanG on 02/18/2003 05:24:00 AM | | Back to Top | | |
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