The most conservative forms of open theology teach that God does not know all of the future, because the future is not there to be known... by anyone.
Open theologians often turn to Hezekiah's prayer for God to extend his life as support. Supposedly, this passage makes it clear that when God "adds" fifteen years to the king's life, that God did not know the future at this point. This in turn is supposed to make our prayer lives more effective than if God did know the future. After all, it was the prayer (and nothing else) that made God change his mind and the future.
What are we to do with such a teaching? This sermon will make it clear that we are not forced into an open theology corner. There are perfectly good explanations for the problems they invent. These explanations have been around for centuries and are the standard answer given by all churches for two thousand years.
But something worse than just God not knowing the future is at stake. In its insistence that this is an open theology proof text, this strange teaching actually misses Christ in a place where he is so obviously to be found. And this is the greatest tragedy of all. For open theology, in all of its attempt to glorify the freewill of man and detooth the God of Scripture, has misplaced the only hope of our very salvation itself.
Come and see how. Then be blest at a God who knows the future so well, that he orchestrates it exactly to fit his plan to glorify himself through Christ.
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“ Excellent. ” Excellent argumentation from Isaiah 38 and 39, refutation of the errors of Open Theism on these chapters. The real lessons of these chapters, regarding God's faithfulness to His promises of bringing Christ on the scene are great.
Robert (2/11/2009)
from New Jersey
“ Great Sermon! ” Amen! Thank you for preaching the truth about this important topic! May God continue to bless your church and ministry!
Doug Van Dorn is the founding pastor of Reformed Baptist Church of Northern Colorado. He is a graduate of Denver Seminary, and he and his wife, Janelle, are proud parents of two daughters.
