Rating: 
Summary: Concise and Convincing Argument for Openness
Review: Greg Boyd, one of the lightning rods in the openness movement, has here given the church a concise and convincing argument for his views. This is not the first book to argue for openness, but it is the most reader-friendly and least technical. He briefly addresses the passages that seem to argue for God's knowledge of future events, then the passages that seem to argue for God's not-knowing of future events. From these he crafts a biblical view of both God and the future - God knows the future as partly settled and as partly open. He proceeds to show what he thinks the benefits of the open view would be for Christian life - including the problem of evil - such as why did God create Hitler if He knew the Holocaust would happen? Finally Boyd answers some objections to the view - objections biblical and philosophical. He does a good job of keeping the presentation civil although he is understandably tired of being accused of lessening God's sovereignty. Here he turns the tables and shows how the open view actually magnifies the sovereignty of God. In short, this is a brief and understandable introduction to a different way of thinking about God and the future - a Biblical way. If you're curious about the openness view and not interested in or ready for the very academically aimed argumentation present in some openness books, check this one out - it's definitely worth your while.
Rating:
Summary: Find out what all the fuss is about.
Review: Dr. Boyd wrote this book in response to many who either wanted to know what he believed regarding Open Theism, or to correct many of the misconceptions people had about what he believed on the subject. The book presents two motifs found in scripture. The first are places where the future is presented as determined and settled by God, and the second is where the future appears to be at least partially open and known by God as such. Dr. Boyd attempts to document the scriptural support for and against Open Theism, and provides his response to each case. The book is written in layman's terms, and generally tries to keep the discussion on scripture, as opposed to branching off into various philosophic or scientific discussions on the future. Calvinists will not like Boyd's conclusions, as the many reviews to this book illustrate. People who lean toward the Arminian position, or are a part of the broader expression of the Christian Church, will find much to agree with. The book is well written, easy to read, and makes its case from scripture. It may also challenge the reader to take a fresh look at their own position on these issues. In any case, a healthy scripturally based dialog on difficult theological issues has always been beneficial to the Church in the long run. In this book, Dr. Boyd seeks to scripturally engage the issues of free will and foreknowledge in positive and respectful way. The issue is important because, as Dr. Boyd points out, scripture reveals that God seems to allow for possibilities resulting from the free choices of individuals. It would seem that if we merely write all these cases off as anthropomorphisms, we risk missing the point God is trying to make.
Rating:
Summary: Biblically and philosophically Sound
Review: First of all, this is NOT process theology at all, so please call the heretic police off. Boyd believes in the inerrancy of Scripture and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. Boyd's views have much more scriptural support than do those of many hyper-Calvinists. (I'm not sure why hyper-Calvinists waste their time reviewing books like these since what man thinks/decides/etc. is all foreordained by God. Therefore, Boyd couldn't help but write this book. So, they should just relax and assume Boyd is a "vessle of wrath.") Boyd makes a convincing argument for what is called "Open View Theism." While the name certainly sounds heretical, the concept is not. Boyd believes that part of the future is settled and part of the future is open (depending on the free decisions of humans); God designed it this way. He maintains that God knows every possible decision that a man can make. Because of God's infinite power and intelligence, God will accomplish his ultimate purpose. Boyd begins by making his case through analysis of several Biblical accounts in which God changes his mind in response to what man does or God makes conditional ("if you do this, I will do that") statements through his prophets. God appears to genuinely command people to do certain things (such as repent) and responds to the decisions they make. God appears to grieve over things. If he foreordained such things, his grief, commands, and conditional statements would not appear to be geniune. Boyd next goes on to make a sound philosophical defense of his view. Boyd then talks about the implications of this view including the urgency and importance of prayer. Finally, he answers objections and questions. Read the book first, compare it with scripture (not the writings of John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, or anyone else), and make your own judgement.
Rating:
Summary: Disagree, But Excellent Presentation
Review: Gregory A. Boyd is an excellent speaker, Pastor, Professor, and Author. In this book he has managed to present his position on the subject of the "Opes View" of God's Divine forknowledge. While I do not agree with his argument it is presented very clearly. I would reccomend this book to any Theology student or person deeply interested in this current Theological Debate. Am excellent book to read in opposition to this book is Bruce Ware's "Their God is too small".
Rating: 
Summary: Regret exposing myself to Boyd's teachings.
Review: I truly regret even exposing myself to Boyd's teachings. I don't fully mean that because it's not good to live in ignorance but it disturbs the very depths of my souls to know that I have loved ones exposed to this teaching who adhere to it and are failing to grow into Christian maturity as a result. I can only pray and watch as they remain emotional baby Christians, more excited over the man of Boyd and his fervor, than over true Biblical teaching. In my opinion, this is all about the man. Recently, Boyd did an interview explaining his belief that he is against 2nd and 3rd trimester abortions but not 1st trimester abortions. He has also in the past expressed beliefs along the lines of Universalism. The more I learn about him, the more disturbed I become. I do judge books by the author because the writing in a book is a reflection of what that author believes, and this author does not believe in the same Bible I believe in. I fully reject his teachings and hope that others will see the heresy in them. Open theism diminishes the power of God, diminishes the power of prayer, and focuses more on emotion and good feelings rather than the nitty gritty of the Bible. Boyd is more concerned about people feeling good here on earth and has twisted Scripture in order to allow those good feelings for people. And in so doing, adherants to his theology stay there, Christians more concerned about feeling good than about such Christ like things like sacrifice, commitment, faithfulness, and the such. I do not recommend this book for those reasons. This is a false teaching that I am certain will bear rotten fruit in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Low view of Scripture, lower view of Omniprescient LORD
Review: After reading this book, I came away with a question: If what the Evangelical Church has always believed about God has been adequately represented by a blend of moderate Arminian and moderate Calvinism (perhaps with a dash of Lutheran and Wesleyan contributions), why does someone come along with a PhD in Philosophy who wrote his dissertation titled "Trinity & PROCESS -toward a SYNTHESIS" trying to foist off on unsuspecting readers his hybrid theology calling it of all things 'A Biblical Introduction'? After all this time, we need a speculator with a flair for the innovative to upgrade and update our stuffy old theology (I'm speaking as an Arminian)?
Excuse me for a bit of Holy Ghost skepticism.
It was well said by a sage concerning similar contrivances and fabrications -
"You have brought to our attention many things that are true and new. Regrettably, what is true isn't new and what is new isn't true."
To see where the author comes up with his creative god of what is possible for the open view, see his first book which got the ball rolling: Trinity & PROCESS.
To see what the Bible has to say from a moderate evangelical, accurate exegetical examination, see Millard Erickson's fair and devastating rebuttal to openism "What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?"
What is needed for many Bible students of today and sympathizers of this hybrid mutation of ultra-arminianism/anti-hyper-calvinism is a Biblical Introduction to the Bible View of God. I recommend a study of Jeremiah's prophecies and if any or all even remotely resembles the farfetched notions of 'open view'.
Rating:
Summary: These Votes Betray A LOT
Review: When I first made my review I did not rate this book on the basis of whether I believed the author's thesis. I still do not entirely buy into his ideas. I rated the book on the basis of how well it is written, how challenging the author's thesis is, and how important of a debate it sparked. Unfortunately a quick glance of the votes seems to indicate that a considerable number of people are attacking the content, rather than the quality, of the book and the reviews of anyone who was theologically challenged by the book. The reviews and the votes are so polarized that they only verify the points of my first review.
Here are four reasons you should purchase this book:
1. It is well written and fresh. This book deals with difficult theological questions in a way that is easily understood by the average lay person.
2. It will challenge your mind. It is certainly an attack on Calvinism. It just as certainly represents a minority opinion, as evidenced by the votes on reviews. In spite of some reviewers' comments, the reader will find that Boyd tries to take a high view of the authority of Scripture. He stays within the bounds of the Apostles' Creed, though he runs way out of the bounds of reformed theology, which is his home turf.
3. Boyd sparked a growing debate and threatens to be a major voice in theology in the 21st century. Of this, there is no doubt. Already, his concepts cause heated, and increasingly popular, discussions in seminaries, Christian college campuses, and in denominations all across the nation. This book introduces a subject that many Christians will want to be informed of.
4. The last chapter contains discussions on 18 apologetic questions. Unless the reader has an exceptional memory he or she will want to keep a copy of the book handy to interact and prepare for future discussions. Whether you agree with Boyd or not, it's good to be prepared to discuss the material since governments no longer burn books.
ONE LAST SUGGESTION
I enjoy respectful, scholarly debates. This book introduces a good one. Boyd argues his point in a respectful manner. However, "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him." (Proverbs 18:17). When you finish this book, find one that presents a good rebuttal. If this issue interests you, study it from both sides. Amazon sells several good books from both sides of this growing debate.
Rating: 
Summary: The great provocation of rationality!
Review: "God of the Possible" is one of the best written, simple and sincere evaluations of Biblical thought that I have read. In a world dying for uncluttered, honest integrity, this book offers it with clarity and forthrightness. The challenge to accurate thinking is provocative as seemingly basic thoughts about God that are accepted wholesale today are uprooted and "put to task!" I'm sure that this book has made itself a sweet(?) enemy in religion and especially that of Calvinistic persuasion where a god of rationality is not tolerated. On this subject of "open theism" Greg has done an excellent job... concerning his view on dispensationalism... we are all growing.
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