Book Review

Here is a book review of Bruce Ware's book, God's Lesser Glory: The Diminished God of Open Theism

Bruce A. Ware has taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School but is currently is a professor of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In this book Ware seeks to address the issue of Open Theology. The book is critiques the prominent authors of open theism from a biblical perspective.

Bruce Ware wastes no time stating his intention to address open theism stating, “This book proposes to summarize and critique a leading contemporary reconstruction of the doctrine of divine providence” (p. 14). Ware also states that because many of the leaders (Greg Boyd, Richard Rice, David Basinger, John Sanders) of this movement are professing evangelicals their arguments must be taken to heart and careful assessed (p. 14).

Because this book addresses those within the Christian community Ware puts much care in answering and critiquing from a biblical perspective. Ware has structured the book into three parts. In the first part Ware defines and brings clarity to the open theist claims; presenting their rationale for their conclusions. Ware also does an excellent job in defining the different camps; being careful to separate open theists from classical Arminianism. In a respectable and consistent manner (not just in part one), labors to present the information of open theists accurately often quoting and citing the sources of various open theist leaders. Ware in part one, presenting the view of open theists, often interjects and points out loopholes that are eventually addressed in greater detail in part two.

In part two Ware tightens the screws philosophically and theologically. This is where we find the meat of his argument against open theism. The most effective arguments in part 2 of the book is his exposure of the inconsistent hermeneutic of open theism. Ware addresses key problems with open theology’s view of divine foreknowledge and eventually exposes that open theism eventually leads to the denial of more of God’s classic incommunicable attributes such as omnipresence and even their own understanding of omniscience (p. 84). Ware also spends much time addressing open theism’s attack on divine wisdom. Ware, theologically, emphasizes that the very majesty and godness of God is found in His exhaustive knowledge of all things. Ware presents much more biblical data in support for divine foreknowledge than open theists would present in support for their conclusions. With careful hermeneutics and sound theology Ware is able to expose the cracks of open theism both philosophically and biblically.

In part three of the book Ware devotes three areas of Christian living that inevitable must fall in open theism: prayer, trust in God’s guidance, and trust in the midst of suffering. The reviewer found part three of the book devotionally refreshing. While Ware’s main purpose was to expose open theisms downfalls in these areas of the Christian’s walk with God, Ware also manages to teach the correction application of these Christian disciplines. If any critique can be given on part three, the reviewer would like to have seen Ware address more areas that open theism addresses in the Christian life. Although prayer, trust in God’s guidance, and theodicy are the obviously affected by open theism, it would be nice to see a section given to other repercussions of open theism (perhaps evangelism, ministry, the church, eschatology, work of the Spirit in the believer’s life, etc.). Ware does a good job in applying the theology he has practiced in part two of the book. Ware is able to show how a correct theology proper should change and enhance a believers love, appreciation, and worship for God.

To conclude his book Ware ends by addressing the glory of God and its relationship with open theism. He simply shows the readers that the glory of God is directly tied to His comprehensive knowledge of all things and His absolute sovereignty to reign and to rule. To believe in open theism is to have a man-centered view and man-glorifying theology. In order for God to be most glorious and absolutely sovereign and omniscient God is necessary.

The reviewer believes that Ware did an excellent job in clarifying and critiquing the position of open theism from a biblical perspective. He was able to clearly draw lines around open theism, clearly distinguishing it from classical Arminianism (which could be a difficult task). He was fair in representing the opposition. The reviewer also would liked to have seen more material how open theism explains God’s involvement with the cross of Christ, the Gospel. All in all, Ware gave a clear a concise conclusion that the god of open theism cannot be accepted as biblical and that it falls short of the God that has been revealed in the Bible.

This is by no means a book that should be reserved for those in full-time ministry, but can be read by all Christians. Although all Christians may read it, it would be most helpful if read by those involved in ministry leadership and student ministries. With open theism being a fairly new contemporary movement it would be great to equip the younger generation with a resource like Ware’s book. With the current state of the church open theism will only push the church away from biblical Christianity. I would also suggest that an individual may not even need to read the entire book in order to gain helpful insight regarding open theism. The most effective chapters to read would be those found in part two of the book where Ware gives full development of his arguments.