John Sanders

Articles by John Sanders

Muslim Scholarship on Open Theism

April 19, 2019 0 Commentsin /by

Some Islamic scholars affirmed dynamic omniscience. Some in the Qadarite school (eighth century) and Abd al-Jabbar, an important figure of the Mu’tazilite school (tenth century). See Michael Lodahl, “The (Brief) Openness Debate in Islamic Theology” in Thomas J. Oord ed., Creation Made Free: Open Theology Engaging Science (Pickwick, 2009), 55, 59. Muslim thinkers whose view […]

Open Theism: Progress and Prospects

September 21, 2017 0 Commentsin , /by

A brief historical introduction places the view in its historical context. This is followed by a section discussing some philosophical assumptions and implications of open theism, and the essay concludes with various theological topics. We discuss both the differences between open theism and other theological positions, and some matters of disagreement among open theists.

Sanders and Oord in conversation 2

January 17, 2017 0 Commentsin /by

Tom Oord’s reply to my journal article (which criticized his understanding of theodicy and miracles) contains a number of helpful clarifications which help me understand his position better. Yet, I believe he misunderstands some things as well. In what follows I shall briefly address some of the topics raised in his reply that I hope […]

Problems with Oord’s Theodicy and Miracles

November 29, 2016 4 Commentsin /by

Problems with Oord’s theodicy and miracles. John Sanders. Professor of Religious Studies, Hendrix College. Draft version, not for citation or quotation.  Published version:  “Why Oord’s Essential Kenosis Model Fails to Solve the Problem of Evil While Retaining Miracles.” Wesleyan Journal of Theology (fall, 2016): 174-187 Abstract: From the notion that love is incompatible with control […]

Which way to the future?

August 16, 2016 0 Commentsin /by

Here is a fun example of how different languages can think about the same topic differently. Think for a moment about how English speakers understand the future in relation to our bodies. A parent may say to a child that “You have your entire future in front of you” and a commencement speaker tells the […]