God of the Possible: A Biblical Introduction to the Open View of God

by Gregory A. Boyd

Book Overview

Examining God's foreknowledge of our future decisions, this survey of Scripture's teaching affirms what has been termed as the open view of God.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080106290X
• ISBN13: 9780801062902
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

The Book that is Possible!

For those who are interested in getting a taste of what the "Open View" of God is, you will be pleased with this book. Whether or not you agree with Boyd, this book is successful in introducing this topic and allowing you to choose what you believe. Boyd has no desire to enforce an Orthodox to accept his view and even claims that this is not salvific, thus, not a matter to divide over. Please ignore the previous one star reviews (and future ones which are sure to arise) which respond out of fear of their Orthodox doctrine. This book will accomplish its goal of allowing you to study this view and accept it or not. Along those lines, this book is a five star book. As far as the objections to the Open View, I feel Boyd has accomplished a great deal in many of the texts which first challenged my acceptance of this doctrine. I feel that Boyd's discussion on Peter's denial did not really support an Open View. I felt that he might be on the right track, but I am nevertheless not totally satisfied with it. I would also have liked for him to address Rev 17.8. For the most part though, many doubts I had were quelled by a very thorough yet basic approach to this doctrine. Boyd has superior skill in making illustrations that work; illustrations which really help make what he is saying make sense and stick. Along these lines, Boyd is very practical. He believes that the true test of a doctrine is if it can be applied on a practical level. He is successful in showing how this doctrine if truly believed can affect your life. In writing the book, he obviously wanted to be practical and not technical. In my estimation, the scholar and the average person could walk away from this book having gained some insight. Overall, this book is easily a five star book and will greatly challenge and enhance your life if you will let it.

Find out what all the fuss is about.

Dr. Boyd wrote this book in response to many who either wanted to know what he believed regarding Open Theism, or to correct many of the misconceptions people had about what he believed on the subject. The book presents two motifs found in scripture. The first are places where the future is presented as determined and settled by God, and the second is where the future appears to be at least partially open and known by God as such. Dr. Boyd attempts to document the scriptural support for and against Open Theism, and provides his response to each case. The book is written in layman's terms, and generally tries to keep the discussion on scripture, as opposed to branching off into various philosophic or scientific discussions on the future. Calvinists will not like Boyd's conclusions, as the many reviews to this book illustrate. People who lean toward the Arminian position, or are a part of the broader expression of the Christian Church, will find much to agree with. The book is well written, easy to read, and makes its case from scripture. It may also challenge the reader to take a fresh look at their own position on these issues. In any case, a healthy scripturally based dialog on difficult theological issues has always been beneficial to the Church in the long run. In this book, Dr. Boyd seeks to scripturally engage the issues of free will and foreknowledge in positive and respectful way. The issue is important because, as Dr. Boyd points out, scripture reveals that God seems to allow for possibilities resulting from the free choices of individuals. It would seem that if we merely write all these cases off as anthropomorphisms, we risk missing the point God is trying to make.

Biblically and philosophically Sound

First of all, this is NOT process theology at all, so please call the heretic police off. Boyd believes in the inerrancy of Scripture and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. Boyd's views have much more scriptural support than do those of many hyper-Calvinists. (I'm not sure why hyper-Calvinists waste their time reviewing books like these since what man thinks/decides/etc. is all foreordained by God. Therefore, Boyd couldn't help but write this book. So, they should just relax and assume Boyd is a "vessle of wrath.") Boyd makes a convincing argument for what is called "Open View Theism." While the name certainly sounds heretical, the concept is not. Boyd believes that part of the future is settled and part of the future is open (depending on the free decisions of humans); God designed it this way. He maintains that God knows every possible decision that a man can make. Because of God's infinite power and intelligence, God will accomplish his ultimate purpose. Boyd begins by making his case through analysis of several Biblical accounts in which God changes his mind in response to what man does or God makes conditional ("if you do this, I will do that") statements through his prophets. God appears to genuinely command people to do certain things (such as repent) and responds to the decisions they make. God appears to grieve over things. If he foreordained such things, his grief, commands, and conditional statements would not appear to be geniune. Boyd next goes on to make a sound philosophical defense of his view. Boyd then talks about the implications of this view including the urgency and importance of prayer. Finally, he answers objections and questions.Read the book first, compare it with scripture (not the writings of John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, or anyone else), and make your own judgement.

Intelligent

This book has been attacked by those who disagree with it, but I found it a clear and intelligent argument. Boyd shows the reader how he worked and how he arrived at his conclusions. This is a good, brief read for someone who wants to see a Protestant theologian at work.I teach Theology in college and sometimes recommend it on those grounds.

The Best Introduction on this topic so far

Boyd has done an excellent job in approaching the topic from a Biblical point of view. This is relatively rare in the literature for this topic, which has concentrated almost entirely on philosophy and theology. Boyd examined quite an exhaustive passages of the scripture. Arguing in a logical and clear manner, Boyd has presented a strong case against the traditional concept of God and challenged our understanding and interpretation of some passages of the scripture. People in the conservative camp would (naturally) disagree with him but sound rebuttal is yet to be seen.I am surprised that some critics simply ignored the contents and arguments put forward by Boyd and adopt a no-matter-what-you- say-I-will-disagree type of mentality.The book was written with a simple and clear style, yet it deals with one of the most important topics in Christianity. Strongly recommended for those who wish to love God with all their minds.