Old errors have a habit of recycling themselves. I’ve written recently about the resurgence of Federal Vision theology in the UK and how back in the noughties we faced a triumvirate of to theological errors, FV, the denial of Penal Substitution and Open Theism. Well, I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that Open Theism is… Continue reading Penal Substitution and Impassibility
Tag: impassibility
God, eternity, time and relenting
One of the issues with current debates about impassibility and also immutability (that God does not change) is that we are trying to understand how the infinite, eternal God can relate to finite human-beings. One aspect of this is to do with how we can know God through the language we use about him. We… Continue reading God, eternity, time and relenting
Let’s talk about God (analogy, metaphor and impassibility)
Ronald S Baines in “Confessing the Impassible God responds to Don Carson’s critique of some formulations of Divine Possibility by arguing that: “The grid through which the confessional doctrine is viewed is not selected apriori asfter which the Biblical texts are viewed through this preconceived lens.”[1] Baines objects to Carson’s suggestion that an arbitrary grid… Continue reading Let’s talk about God (analogy, metaphor and impassibility)
Why God is not an emotionless firefighter (or why we need to pick better illustrations)
One of the reasons why I think a lot of people struggle with the idea of “Divine Impassibility” is that sadly it is often badly represented. Take for example, an essay that Matthew Barrett wrote for The Gospel Coalition website. In the article, he talks about how whenever someone shares about a tragedy they have… Continue reading Why God is not an emotionless firefighter (or why we need to pick better illustrations)
Does God have emotions?
In September’s Evangelical Times, Psychiatrist Alan Thomas argues that God does have emotions. He does not believe that this contradicts the Doctrine of impassibility, that God is without passions. However, he argues against the concept of an emotionless God. Guy Davies has responded by arguing that God does not have emotions and that this would… Continue reading Does God have emotions?
Is Open Theism Biblical?
The Biblical argument for Open Theism is set out in Richard Rice’s chapter in The Openness of God.[1] As we saw in the previous post, the foundation for the argument is 1 John 4:8. Rice goes on to argue that the approach is supported more widely by Scripture. The next part of the argument is… Continue reading Is Open Theism Biblical?
Going with the grain of how Scripture talks about God
I want to say a little bit more about the recent controversy concerning Gently and Lowly. If we have discomfort about the language in the book, then it seems to be because we struggle with the language we find in Scripture. Let me pick up on one example. In Hosea 11:8-9 God says to Israel:… Continue reading Going with the grain of how Scripture talks about God
Gently and lowly?
This is a book review with a bit of a difference. Normally you would expect me to be reviewing a new book that few people have heard of yet in order to let you know why you should buy it and read it. In this case, there’s a good chance that you’ve already heard about,… Continue reading Gently and lowly?
God in the dock -challenges to his greatness and goodness
Here’s another article “out of the freezer” addressing questions about God changing and having emotions. We can choose to believe either truth or lies about God. Earlier, we named the lies: that God is not good and/or God is not great/ sovereign. That if there is a God, then he must be either infinite and… Continue reading God in the dock -challenges to his greatness and goodness
Faithroots 