Beyond the Bounds: Open Theism and the Undermining of Biblical Christianity

Edited by John Piper, Justin Taylor, Paul K. Helseth, Contributions by Wayne Grudem, Mark Talbot, William C. Davis, Bruce A. Ware, Ardel B. Caneday, Michael Horton, Stephen J. Wellum, Chad Owen Brand, Russell Fuller

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Beyond the Bounds: Open Theism and the Undermining of Biblical Christianity

Edited by John Piper, Justin Taylor, Paul K. Helseth, Contributions by Wayne Grudem, Mark Talbot, William C. Davis, Bruce A. Ware, Ardel B. Caneday, Michael Horton, Stephen J. Wellum, Chad Owen Brand, Russell Fuller

... Show All

"Everyone who believes in God at all believes that He knows what you and I are going to do tomorrow."
–C. S. Lewis

This understanding of God's foreknowledge has united the church for twenty centuries. But advocates of "open theism" are presenting a different vision of God and a different view of the future.

The rise of open theism within evangelicalism has raised a host of questions. Was classical theism decisively tainted by Greek philosophy? How should we understand passages that tell us that God repents? Are essentials of biblical Christianity–like the inerrancy of Scripture, the trustworthiness of God, and the Gospel of Christ–at stake in this debate? Where, when, and why should we draw new boundaries–and is open theism beyond them? Beyond the Bounds brings together a respected team of scholars to examine the latest literature, address these questions, and give guidance to the church in this time of controversy.

Contributors include:

  • John Piper
  • Wayne Grudem
  • Michael S. Horton
  • Bruce A. Ware
  • Mark R. Talbot
  • A. B. Caneday
  • Stephen J. Wellum
  • Justin Taylor
  • Paul Kjoss Helseth
  • Chad Brand
  • William C. Davis
  • Russell Fuller

"We have prepared this book to address the issue of boundaries and, we pray, bring some remedy to the present and impending pain of embracing open theism as a legitimate Christian vision of God. . . . As a pastor, who longs to be biblical and God-centered and Christ-exalting and eternally helpful to my people, I see open theism as theologically ruinous, dishonoring to God, belittling to Christ, and pastorally hurtful. My prayer is that Christian leaders will come to see it this way, and thus love the church by counting open theism beyond the bounds of orthodox Christian teaching."
–From the Foreword by John Piper


Editors:

John Piper

John Piper is founder and lead teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He served for thirty-three years as a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books, including Desiring God; Don’t Waste Your Life; and Providence.

Justin Taylor

Justin Taylor (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the executive vice president of book publishing and book publisher at Crossway. He has edited and contributed to several books, and he blogs at Between Two Worlds—hosted by the Gospel Coalition.

Paul K. Helseth

Paul Kjoss Helseth (PhD, Marquette University) is professor of Christian thought at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the author of numerous scholarly articles.

Product Details

Category: Theology
Academic
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 416
Size: 5.5 in x 8.5 in
Weight: 17.4 ounces
ISBN-10: 1-58134-462-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-58134-462-2
ISBN-UPC: 9781581344622
Case Quantity: 24
Published: February 28, 2003

Endorsements

"The downsized deity of open theism is a poor substitute for the real God of historic Christianity-as taught by Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox theologians through the centuries. This book offers an important analysis and critique of this sub-Christian view of God. Well researched and fairly presented."
Timothy George, Distinguished Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

"Here is a weighty tract for the times, in which a dozen Reformed scholars survey the "open theism" of Pinnock, Sanders, Boyd, and colleagues, and find it a confused, confusing, and unedifying hypothesis that ought to be declared off limits. Some pages are heavy sledding, but the arguing is clear and strong, and the book is essential reading for all who are caught up in this discussion."
J. I. Packer, Late Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College