Reply:

Hi David.

The bibliographic references in Dr. Sanders' book (TGWR) may help you (p. 311 n. 106; p. 313 n. 122; p. 324 n. 125).

In my Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement heritage--Churches of Christ, Christian Churches, and Disciples of Christ--there has always been a stream of "open theism" (if you'll allow the anachronism). The most notable representative from the 19th century is Dr. T. W. Brents (d. 1905). In his book, The Gospel Plan of Salvation (first edition in the 1874; I have an 1890 edition) he devotes entire chapters to both foreknowledge and predestination which may be helpful. Brents takes the biblical texts on divine repentance and change of mind very seriously. He writes in Victorian grammar and his style is decidedly polemical (anti-Calvinist & anti-Unitarian). His book was considered by many to have served as a kind of systematic theology for the reformers of the day associated with my heritage.

An interesting aspect in light of the current anti-openness polemic which charges open theism with diminishing God's sovereignty and power is that Brents claims the opposite. In his view, God has the power and freedom to choose not to know whatever he wants. Brents saw Calvinism's absolute determinism and foreknowledge as the views which in fact diminished God's glorious sovereignty and free agency, not permitting God either the power or freedom not to know. Note also that he quotes Adam Clark (Clark's Commentaries, Acts 2:47, circa 1810) as agreeing with him in substance. However, Dr. Sanders indicated to me that this understanding of Clark's view has been debated (cf. Maddox listed in TGWR's notes). My 1890 edition of Brents includes endpapers with endorsements from several periodicals and notable personalities, some of which criticize his chapter on foreknowledge, but most of which heartily endorse it.

Brents' book is considered a classic in our restoration heritage and so has been reprinted numerous times & recommended for each of our preachers' libraries. So you may have a Disciples, Christian church, or church of Christ minister nearby with a copy he may let you borrow. Otherwise, nearly all of the libraries related to our fellowships will have multiple copies of this available for ILL if you're interested (Abilene Chr. U., Lubbock Chr. U., Southwest Chr. College, or Texas Chr. U. in Texas; Lipscomb U., Freed-Hardeman U., Harding Grad. School, Emmanuel School of Religion or Johnson Bible College in Tennessee; Oklahoma Chr. U.; Pepperdine U. in California; Harding U. in Arkansas; Ohio Valley Coll. in West Virginia; Lexington Theol. Sem. in KY.; York College in Nebraska; Michigan Christian College (has been renamed, but I don't know to what); Cincinnati Bible Coll & Sem., et al., to name a few). In all events, hope this helps.

Blessings,

Kevin James Gilbert
Adjunct Faculty, College of Bible and Ministry
Lipscomb University

Reply:

Some early proponents of openness theology are Calcidius (5'th century Christian), Andrew Ramsay (one of John Wesley's contemporaries), and Adam Clarke (18'th century Methodist). For others see my God Who Risks p. 311 n. 106; p. 313 n. 122; p. 324 n. 125.

John Sanders

Reply to Gilbert:

I would also like to point out two sources of which I'm sure you're already aware: L. D. McCabe's great works as well as Joel S. Hayes. McCabe (1817 - 1897) was a Methodist theologian and Professor of Mathematics and mechanical Philosophy at Ohio Wesleyan University.He wrote two large works on the subject matter of foreknowledge, entitled , The Foreknowledge of God and Cognate Themes in Theology and Philosophy (1878). About Mr. Hayes, I confess I know nothing other than he wrote a work entitled The Foreknowledge of God - or, The Omniscience of God Consistent with His Own Holiness and Man's Free Agency published in 1890. In the opening chapter, he writes "The design of this treatise is to deny and disprove the commonly received doctrine that God, from all eternity, foreknew whatsoever has come to pass. This doctrine, it seems to me, is contrary to reason and Scripture, and is in the highest degree dishonoring to the high and holy One that inhabiteth eternity."

Just thought you would be interested in these works and wanted to again thank Kevin Gilbert for his contribution to my knowledge of this subject. If he should be aware of a good source for Dr. Brents' work I would love to have that as well.

In the Lamb,

Jonathan Duttweiler