Freedom Unlimited: Liberty Autonomy and Response Ability in the Open Theism of Clark Pinnock

How are we to understand the freedom for which Christ has set us free (Gal 5:1)? Could it be that we have barely glimpsed what this might mean? Most theological accounts of freedom frame the discussion in terms of heteronomy or autonomy. In the Protestant tradition, Calvinists are known for championing the former and Arminians are credited with advocating the latter. More recently, open theists, in significantly modifying the Arminian paradigm, argue that neither tradition provides a satisfying account of human freedom and propose a more libertarian form of autonomy. This book joins the debate at this point, not in order to take sides, but to suggest a theology that can get beyond (not between) the heteronomy and autonomy that seem to exhaust the present theological options. Clark Pinnock serves as the chief protagonist because of his role as a leading figure in the "Openness of God" movement. Because his own development can be described as a pilgrimage from Calvinism to Arminianism to open theism, the present work is able to offer its sympathetic critique in the form of an invitation: that we continue to journey in the spirit of openness beyond both heteronomy and autonomy towards a view of divine and human freedom that is covenantal, participatory, and unlimited.

Jeffrey S. Hocking (MA, Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto) is a PhD candidate in the conjoint program at the Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto and the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.

John D. Wagner is a Biblical Studies student at Trinity Theological Seminary. He holds a master's degree in Journalism from the University of Arizona and has extensive experience in writing and editing. Wagner is the editor of three theological works: Redemption Redeemed: A Puritan Defense of Unlimited Atonement by John Goodwin, Freedom of the Will: A Wesleyan Response to Jonathan Edwards by Daniel Whedon, and Arminius Speaks by James Arminius.

Jon Stanley is theology editor for The Other Journal. He is a psychotherapist and a doctoral candidate in philosophical theology at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto.