Open Theism / Religious Pluralism

[B. W.]

There are several new waves of teaching within the body of Christ that are subverting sound Christian Doctrine and replacing Christian Theology with peculiar modes of thinking. I will address a few of these in the Theology Thread here on this Forum for discussion and comment. Next is Open Theism

Theopedia defines Open Theism as follows

Open theism, also called free will theism and openness theology, is the belief that God does not exercise meticulous control of the universe but leaves it "open" for humans to make significant choices (free will) that impact their relationships with God and others. A corollary of this is that God has not predetermined the future. Open Theists further believe that this would imply that God does not know the future exhaustively. Proponents affirm that God is omniscient, but deny that this means that God knows everything that will happen.

Open Theists argue that people are created to be in meaningful relationships with God and others and as moral beings must have the ability to make real, responsible choices in their lives. Open Theists argue that this cannot be accomplished as long as God exercises exhaustive control of the universe or predetermines the future because this would remove humanity's free will. The counter point to this is that critics of Open Theism say that if God is not exercising meticulous control of the universe, or does not exhaustively know the future, then this would imply that He is not in control and we are not able to completely trust in God's sovereignty. Furthermore, the question remains, will God actually be able to triumph over evil? Open Theists answer these critiques by noting that while God does not exercise meticulous control, he is "ultimately" in control.

There are two primary motivations for Open Theism. The first is to express a relationship with God that Christians experience devotional. God, Open Theism says, because He desires relationship, has given us real freedom to respond to Him relationally. Secondly, Open Theism focuses on the issue of theodicy. In this Open Theists claim that God's omnipotence does not mean that He is the author of every evil, but that God will ultimately triumph over evil.

http://www.theopedia.com/Open_theism

The proponents of Open Theism are Gregory Boyd, John Sanders, Clark Pinnock, Bob Enyart...

Though Christian orthodoxy rejects the notions of Open Theism, however, it has influenced bible translators, inerrancy of scripture, and justifies blending of other religions into Christianity, a liberal slant to bible interpretation, ecumenicalism...

Here are some examples in question form that demonstrates the effect of Open Theism on mainstream Christianity - have you heard these?

Have you heard that the bible is not the Word of God?

Tolerance, acceptance of other points of views and lifestyle is highest morality of love humanity can achieve... Heard something like this in churches lately?

What other forms of Open Theism have you heard that infects Christian thought?
-
-
-

[B. W.]

Open Theism also leads to religious pluralism and permits mixing other religious system into Christianity. Both Universalism, Open Theism, along with their child - Religious Pluralism has done untold damage to the Christian Church.

Religious Pluralism is a form of modernity infecting the Church, making the church conform to the modern social and cultural norms of a world sliding into to ever increasing stages of debauchery and immorality. The Church must conform to accept gay clergy, modern liberal group think, liberation theology, less focus on the bible but more focus on current self help psychology, and a host of other new modern mindsets such as: offending as the only sin worthy of social castration, Love is taught as blind unoffending tolerance, bad is the new good and what was once good (like Heterosexual marriage) is the now the new bad.

You could also say it helped to influence the modern Ear Tickling Pastor movement in America, whereas, such teachers focus of what God can do for you because you are so special...and never a disparaging word ever uttered about sin, unless - the sin of negative confession... condemnation ... moral responsibility ...

Such pastors, though, will not bend to call bad good and good bad will however fall prey to the influences of Open Theism, Universalism, and Religious Pluralism. You most likely will never hear a message on Hell, other than poke fun at it in some form, nor will you hear of true repentance taught either. Instead, you'll hear a lot of blab and grab theology, and God's for you because he's your drinking buddy, and will serve you nachos while you watch TV. In other words, God is taught as being your personal servant. All you need to do is work hard at ringing the bell of positive confession just right and your buddy will serve you up a Flat screen TV along with a pile of cold cash!

That is how Open Theism, Universalism, and Religious Pluralism subvert their influence upon the modern Church world. There is a host of other things these also do and feel free to comment and add more if you like.

[Starhunter]

The first post contains several issues all mixed together, some true some false,
and the second post is a generalized view of various causes for the declension within Christendom.

The character of God is misrepresented in both views.

1. God is not OC about control - free will and liberty are paramount. (sorry to the clergy)

2. It is false to say that God does not intervene. He is meticulous about care and support, but not control.

3. He does know the future and has no need or desire to control it.

4. The actions of God toward His creation are always through integrity with truth and freedom.

5. It is false to say that God has no standard of government and that evil will not be obliterated.

In essence you are free to do as you please, with consequences to your actions as measured by the standard of God's government.

For the greater part, human beings only suffer the minimal consequence of their sins, because of God's tenderhearted mercy, only willing that His patience will bring the opportunity to repent. If not we'd be dead.

Misgivings about the manner of God's rule come from not knowing how He creates, and ignoring His commandments.