Jim Wallis and Open Theism

I was reading a recent article written by Sojourners Jim Wallis regarding Pat Robertson's recent comments about Haiti and their pact with the devil. In response, Wallis wrote the following:

Even though Robertson has become marginal, his extreme comments can still shape people's views of Christianity and God. So, I thought I'd take Robertson's comment as an opportunity to set the record straight. The God I serve, the God of the Bible, does not cause evil. God is not a vengeful and retributive being, waiting to strike us down. Evil happens, whether at the hands of corrupt people or because the earth shifts along a fault line and the world rumbles.

When evil strikes, it's easy to ask, where is God. The answer: God is suffering in the midst of the evil with those who are suffering. Throughout the Scripture, we find a picture of a God who is with the people, even in their darkest hours. Today, in Haiti, God is suffering with those who are suffering. My prayers go out to the families who are suffering.

Is this an example of open theism in practice? I raise this question for a number of reasons. First, the language that "God does not cause evil," needs to be clarified. I am not suggesting that God has a lightening bolt in hand ready to strike us down, but it does strike as if all evil is outside of God's control. Scripture is clear and full of examples that show that God both causes and allows evil events like earthquakes to happen. Does Wallis reject this?

By this, I am not saying that Pat Robertson's comments should be defended. I have already stated clearly that they shouldn't be. But God does use natural disasters as a way of punishment. In the Bible God used a flood, several earthquakes, lightening strikes, drought and famine, hailstorms, and several other disasters as a fulfillment of His Sovereign Will. This does not mean that every natural disaster is the result of His judgment. Sometimes earthquakes happen, people suffer, and many are killed. That is the result of the Fall.

Wallis seems to reject all of this. He writes that "evil happens, whether at the hands of corrupt people or because the earth shifts along a fault line and the world rumbles." By this, does he mean that all evil, suffering, and natural disasters are apart from His Will? This statement gives man and earth more power than He who created both does it not? Certainly "corrupt people" cause a lot of evil and suffering, and certainly the earths fault lines result in earthquakes. But is God not in control of both?

Furthermore, Wallis' description of his God concerns me. He writes that his "God is not vengeful and retributive." But isn't the cross about God's wrath? Doesn't God say, "vengeance is mine, I will repay?" That sounds rather vengeful and retributive. If God is without wrath, then He is without justice. If He is without justice, then there is no need to call Him merciful. Does mercy not imply that vengeance and wrath are forgiven?

Finally, Wallis' answer to the question, "where is God," is concerning to me. He argues that when we suffer God is suffering with us. But is He in control? That's the question that people want answered. If God is not in control (and only suffering with us) then this world is more messed up than I thought. But if God is in control, then perhaps His suffering with us is a reminder of the gospel. At the cross, God in human form suffered and He did so in order to redeem "corrupt people."



When we talk of the suffering of God, we must always speak of the cross. And if open theism is correct (at least how I understand it), then should we consider the cross a cosmic accident by which God was unaware of?



Perhaps I am wrong about Wallis; at least I hope that I am. I am certainly no expert of open theism, but I know the smell of a rat. Maybe this isn't open theism but something else. But as I reflect on Wallis logic and what it says about God I am deeply concerned. To trust in God's sovereignty does not mean that God is always just waiting to destroy and kill we earthlings. God's sovereignty should point us to comfort knowing that no matter how bad things get, He is still in control. And with the cross of Christ we know that no matter how bad things get, we are not alone.



I am reminded of Job who was suffering deeply and wanted to take his case before God. God's response was powerful. He asks Job who does he think he is challenging his Maker? In God's response, we are reminded that in every area of life, we ought to be lifting God up and keeping Him on His throne where He rightfully is, rather than bringing Him down, making Him more like us -- powerless and hurting -- in order to lift ourselves up a little higher.



Like Job, we should always respond to tragedy in bitter tears and repentance. Jesus commanded the same.


For more:
Jim Wallis - God Suffers With the Suffering