Limited Theism refers to a theological view that limits the attributes of God, particularly His omniscience, omnipotence, or omnipresence. It asserts that God’s knowledge, power, or presence is somehow limited or restricted, rather than absolute. While the term "Limited Theism" itself is not historically as prominent as other heresies, it overlaps with various theological movements and ideas, such as process theology and open theism, which seek to redefine or limit traditional understandings of God's nature. These ideas challenge historic Christian orthodoxy, which affirms God’s complete sovereignty and infinite attributes.
History of Limited Theism
Philosophical Roots: The roots of Limited Theism can be traced back to ancient philosophical debates regarding the nature of God’s interaction with the world, particularly in Greek philosophy. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle struggled with reconciling the concept of an eternal, unchangeable God with the reality of a changing, finite world. These philosophical ideas later influenced Christian theology, especially during the medieval period, as theologians sought to integrate classical philosophy with Christian doctrine.
Process Theology (20th Century): A more formal articulation of a limited view of God emerged in the 20th century with process theology, a movement that was heavily influenced by the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. Process theologians, such as Charles Hartshorne and John Cobb, argue that God is not all-powerful in the classical sense and that God is in process—growing, changing, and evolving alongside the universe. According to process theology, God does not have complete control over the future but is constantly reacting to and interacting with creation in a dynamic, relational manner. This represents a limit on God’s omnipotence and immutability (the doctrine that God does not change).
Open Theism (Late 20th Century): Another modern expression of Limited Theism is open theism, which arose in evangelical circles in the late 20th century. Key proponents include Clark Pinnock, Greg Boyd, and John Sanders. Open theism teaches that God does not know the future exhaustively because the future is not fully determined. Instead, God knows all possibilities but not every specific event or decision in advance, as human free will remains open. This view seeks to reconcile human freedom with divine foreknowledge but ends up limiting God’s omniscience in ways that diverge from classical Christian theism.
Reactions Against Calvinism: Limited Theism, particularly as expressed in open theism, has often been seen as a reaction against Calvinist theology, which emphasizes God's sovereignty, foreknowledge, and predestination. Open theists argue that traditional Calvinism, by asserting God’s exhaustive foreknowledge and control over events, makes human freedom illusory. In response, they propose a God who allows for a genuinely open future, limiting His knowledge in order to preserve human autonomy.
Theology of Limited Theism
Limitation of God’s Omniscience: In views like open theism, God’s omniscience is limited in the sense that He knows all possible outcomes but not the exact future decisions of free creatures. Open theists argue that the future is not yet fully determined, so even God cannot know it exhaustively. God is seen as learning and reacting to human decisions as they unfold in time. This challenges the classical Christian doctrine that God knows all things, including the future, perfectly and fully from eternity past.
Limitation of God’s Omnipotence: Process theology teaches that God’s power is not coercive but persuasive. God works in cooperation with the world and influences creation, but He cannot unilaterally determine outcomes. This limits God’s omnipotence, portraying Him as unable to prevent certain evils or control the world entirely. In this view, God’s power is relational and responsive, not absolute.
God in Process: Both process theology and some forms of limited theism present a mutable God, meaning that God changes in response to the unfolding of time and the choices of free creatures. This is in contrast to classical theism, which teaches that God is immutable (unchanging). Limited theism suggests that God is somehow incomplete or evolving alongside the universe, adjusting His plans as history progresses.
Human Freedom and God’s Knowledge: Central to many forms of Limited Theism, particularly open theism, is the attempt to protect human libertarian free will. Proponents argue that if God knows the future exhaustively, human decisions are predetermined, and true freedom is compromised. By limiting God’s foreknowledge, open theists claim to preserve the integrity of human choices while maintaining God’s relational involvement with creation.
Why Limited Theism is Heretical
From the perspective of historic Christian orthodoxy, Limited Theism is considered heretical because it undermines essential attributes of God that are clearly affirmed in Scripture and by the ecumenical creeds of the church. Several reasons for this condemnation include:
Denial of God’s Omniscience: The Bible consistently presents God as all-knowing (omniscient), including knowledge of the future. Verses like Isaiah 46:10 affirm that God declares “the end from the beginning” and knows what is to come. Psalm 139:4 teaches that God knows every word before it is spoken. By suggesting that God does not know future events exhaustively, Limited Theism denies the classical doctrine of God’s omniscience and the biblical witness to God’s foreknowledge.
Limitation of God’s Omnipotence: Orthodox Christian theology teaches that God is all-powerful (omnipotent) and fully sovereign over creation (Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:35). God’s will is not contingent on the choices of human beings or the unfolding of events; rather, He is sovereign over all things. By suggesting that God is limited in His power or that He cannot prevent evil or control events fully, Limited Theism diminishes God’s sovereignty and contradicts biblical teaching.
Contradiction of Divine Immutability: Classical theism teaches that God is immutable, meaning He does not change (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). God’s nature, character, and purposes are eternal and unchanging. Limited Theism, particularly process theology, suggests that God changes in response to events in time, making Him a mutable being who is shaped by history. This undermines the biblical view of God as eternally perfect and unchanging.
Undermining of God’s Eternal Plan: Historic Christian orthodoxy affirms that God’s plans and purposes are eternal and unchangeable (Ephesians 1:11). Limited Theism, by suggesting that God’s knowledge and power are contingent on human actions, portrays a God who reacts to creation rather than sovereignly ordains and controls all things. This is a radical departure from the biblical depiction of God as the one who is fully in control of human history (Isaiah 14:24, 27).
Historic Christian Orthodox View
The historic Christian view of God, as affirmed by the early church councils, creeds, and Reformed confessions, upholds the following key attributes of God in contrast to Limited Theism:
Omniscience: God’s knowledge is infinite and includes all things, both actual and possible, past, present, and future. God knows the end from the beginning and nothing is hidden from Him. This is affirmed throughout Scripture (Isaiah 46:9-10, Psalm 139:1-4).
Omnipotence: God is all-powerful and sovereignly ordains all that comes to pass. Nothing happens outside of God’s will or control. He does not merely react to events, but sovereignly decrees all things (Job 42:2, Daniel 4:35).
Immutability: God is unchanging in His being, nature, and purposes. His knowledge, will, and attributes do not change over time (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). God’s plans and purposes are eternal and unchanging.
Sovereign Providence: God sovereignly governs all things according to His eternal plan and purpose. He works all things for the good of His people and for the accomplishment of His will (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11). God is not a passive observer of creation, but actively involved in every detail of life and history.
Modern-Day Iterations of Limited Theism
While Limited Theism is not always labeled explicitly as such, its ideas have surfaced in various modern theological movements. Some examples include:
Open Theism: Open theism remains a prominent form of Limited Theism in certain evangelical circles. It teaches that God’s knowledge of the future is limited to possibilities, not certainties, in order to preserve human freedom. This view has been controversial and rejected by mainstream evangelicalism, but it continues to have proponents like Greg Boyd and John Sanders.
Process Theology: Process theology continues to influence liberal Protestant thought, particularly in mainline denominations. It portrays God as in process alongside creation, growing and evolving as He interacts with the world. God is seen as limited in power and knowledge, working relationally with creation rather than sovereignly directing it. This theology is particularly appealing to those who struggle with the problem of evil, as it presents a God who is not in control of all suffering but is constantly working to bring good out of it.
Progressive Christianity: Some strands of progressive Christianity incorporate elements of Limited Theism, particularly by challenging classical doctrines of God’s omnipotence or omniscience. Progressive theologians often emphasize God’s relational nature and human freedom, suggesting that God limits Himself to allow for greater autonomy in the world. This reflects a departure from the classical, sovereign view of God found in historic Christian orthodoxy.
Conclusion
Limited Theism is a theological departure from the classical Christian understanding of God’s infinite and absolute attributes. By limiting God’s omniscience, omnipotence, or immutability, movements such as process theology and open theism diminish the grandeur and sovereignty of God, presenting a deity who is more responsive and mutable than the God of historic Christian orthodoxy. The orthodox view, firmly rooted in Scripture and affirmed by the church’s creeds, maintains that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and unchanging, sovereignly guiding all things according to His perfect will. While Limited Theism continues to influence certain strands of modern theology, it remains a significant departure from the core doctrines of the Christian faith.