a good friend and I recently had a debate/discussion about open theism. He is exploring the idea that God doesn't know the future...just the many options that exist in the future. I told him that God would not be God unless He knows and is in control of every aspect of the future.
It just dawned on me, that deep down, I have been an open theist for my entire Christian life. I have taken upon the resposibility to "save" others. If only I prayed harder, shared the Gospel more vigorously, then some of my family members would have embraced Christ. It is the belief that my prayers will change the future, instead of ushering in God's will. I still don't have a total grasp on it all, but man o man, is it liberating to let go of the idea that I'm responsible for someone going to hell because I didn't witness to them enough. Glory be to God.
It just dawned on me, that deep down, I have been an open theist for my entire Christian life. I have taken upon the resposibility to "save" others. If only I prayed harder, shared the Gospel more vigorously, then some of my family members would have embraced Christ. It is the belief that my prayers will change the future, instead of ushering in God's will. I still don't have a total grasp on it all, but man o man, is it liberating to let go of the idea that I'm responsible for someone going to hell because I didn't witness to them enough. Glory be to God.