Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 27:75 (Autumn 2023)
Article: The Strange Endless Universe Cosmology Of Open Theism
Author: Jeffrey P. Tomkins

JODT 27:75 (Autumn 2023) p. 167

The Strange Endless Universe Cosmology Of Open Theism

Jeffrey P. Tomkins

* Jeffrey P. Tomkins, B.S., M.S., M.C.Ed., Ph.D., Director of Research, Institute for Creation Research, Dallas Texas

Open theism is a problematic theological paradigm that shares foundational elements with panentheism and process theology. Not only have open theists incorporated secular evolutionary theories into their system of thought, but most open theists have also found it necessary to reject the biblical concept of creation from nothing, or creation ex nihilo. The reason for this rejection is primarily due to the fact that creation ex nihilo fundamentally presupposes an omnipotent Creator who brings to pass whatever He chooses and that his purposes are never frustrated. Open theism, however, believes that God has no exhaustive foreknowledge and that his creation does regularly frustrate his purposes. In place of creation ex nihilo, many open theists propose an endless universe with multiple cycles of big bang creation events in which God is repeatedly making worldly creations from chaos in a strange cyclic steady-state cosmology. In support of the biblical doctrine of creation ex nihilo, this article will demonstrate how it is both scientifically and scripturally valid, and that denial of this doctrine is yet another unorthodox tenant of the open theist community that must be rejected.

What Is Open Theism

Open theism is a theological position that fundamentally negates the orthodox reformed view that God is sovereign, totally omniscient, immutable, transcendent, and immanent (in a biblical model). Much of the open theist system bears close similarity to the Socinian controversy that developed during the era of Calvin and the Geneva reformers in which God’s foreordination and exhaustive foreknowledge was challenged.1 The most prominent literary effort that birthed open theism to a larger evangelical audience was a book by four different authors (Pinnock, Rice,

JODT 27:75 (Autumn 2023) p. 168

Sanders, Hasker, and Basinger) published in 1994 titled “The Openness of God”.2 Two orthodox theologians (Bruce A. Ware and John M. Frame) separately published their own lengthy refutations of open theism in the early 2000s which are recommended for a more detailed study of the general subject.3

Open Theism And The Problem Of Creation Ex Nihilo

The philosophical roots of open theism are based in panentheism and process theology which is described in more detail in a companion article.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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