What God Cannot Do: A Look at Divine Limits Under Open Theism

 What God Cannot Do: A Look at Divine Limits Under Open Theism 


When we think of God, we often think of power, glory, and control. But under the theological model known as Open Theism, God is not defined primarily by meticulous control over all events, but by His dynamic relationship with creation. This model maintains that while God is all-powerful and all-wise, He has chosen to create a world with genuine freedom — and that choice comes with some self-imposed limitations.


Here’s a list of things God cannot do under Open Theism, not because He’s weak, but because of the kind of world He has created and the kind of God He chooses to be.



1. God Cannot Change the Past


This is a major point. Once an event has occurred, it is part of reality. God cannot (and does not) undo what has happened. Under Open Theism, this reinforces the moral seriousness of choices. What’s done is done, and God works from the present forward.



2. God Cannot Guarantee Specific Future Free Choices


Open Theism holds that the future is partly open — not entirely fixed. God knows everything that can happen, and He knows all possibilities exhaustively, but He does not know with certainty what free creatures will choose before they choose it. So God cannot guarantee that someone will freely choose to believe, repent, love, or act in a specific way unless He overrides their freedom — and He typically doesn’t.



3. God Cannot Lie or Be Unfaithful


This is a biblical and moral limit: “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). Open Theists uphold this. God’s character is consistent, and He cannot go against His covenantal promises, love, or justice.




4. God Cannot Prevent All Evil Without Overriding Freedom


Evil is real, and Open Theism emphasizes that it results from the misuse of creaturely freedom. God cannot prevent all evil and preserve genuine freedom at the same time. This means He takes real risks in creating a free world — not because He’s powerless, but because He values love that is freely given.




5. God Cannot Force Relationship


Love requires freedom. God desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4), but under Open Theism, He cannot force a mutual relationship. Forced love is not love at all. God pursues, woos, convicts, and draws — but never coerces.




6. God Cannot Be Surprised by Possibilities — But He Can Be Surprised by Free Choices


This is subtle. God knows all possible outcomes perfectly. But when a free agent chooses one over the others, God can genuinely experience surprise, joy, grief, or disappointment. This doesn’t mean God is unprepared; it means He’s relational, not robotic.




7. God Cannot Be Manipulated by Magic, Ritual, or Formula


Open Theism rejects the idea that God is some cosmic vending machine. He’s not bound to act because we say the right words or perform the right rituals. His actions come from His sovereign wisdom and loving intent, not from being controlled.




8. God Cannot Override His Own Moral Nature


God’s justice, mercy, and faithfulness are core to who He is. He cannot act unjustly, arbitrarily, or out of character. Open Theism underscores that divine love is central and that God's actions are always consistent with His loving and righteous nature.




Conclusion 


For Open Theists, these limitations don’t diminish God — they dignify creation and elevate God's relational nature. They portray a God who genuinely cares, takes risks, responds in real time, and walks with us in the unfolding story of history.


God’s power isn’t proven by His ability to control everything — it’s revealed in His willingness to engage everything, even pain and uncertainty, to bring about ultimate good.

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