God in Motion: A Critical Exploration of the Open Theism Debate, ManuelSchmid, Baylor University Press, 2021 (ISBN 978‐1‐4813‐1408‐4), viii + 208 pp., hb $24.99

Does God react? Can be disappointed? repent? In the 1990s, a heated controversy over God's openness divided evangelical theologians in North America. On one side stood conservative evangelicals who affirmed God’s sovereignty, omniscience, and omnipotence based on traditional doctrines of Calvinist Puritanism. other were thinkers with Pietist, Methodist, or Pentecostal leanings convinced that doctrine should made more consistent experience divine activity loving involvement. this volume, Swiss theologian Manuel Schmid analyzes open theism assesses its strengths weaknesses from continental perspective. Not only does his training German Protestant theology illuminate debate among evangelicals, but it also develops connections lines thought contemporary biblical studies systematic take seriously relationality, risk-taking, anthropomorphic attributes. This book appeared 2019 as Gott ist ein Abenteurer [God is an adventurer] translated somewhat less excitingly into English Motion. Chapter One provides chronology how why American evangelicals. The flame was lit by 1994 volume Openness God: A Biblical Challenge to Traditional Understanding co-authored Clark H. Pinnock, Richard Rice, John Sanders, William Hasker, David Basinger, which became manifesto for movement. Open harkens back sixteenth-century Dutch thinker Jacobus Arminius disputed Calvin rejected predestination foreknowledge. traces developments early middle late phases decades. He points out while process theology, Whitehead’s philosophy, quickly dismissed unbiblical, later proponents such Gregory Boyd Thomas Oord are receptive conception capacity change. situates within historical criticism legitimating international Two examines evidence scripture, primary source affirm inerrancy. Hebrew Bible particular includes narratives depict responding human decisions even repenting. delves hermeneutics specific verses contain motif opposing views passages appear support Calvinism. For example, makes covenant Abraham relies obedience, seems responds adjusts events unfold, may interpreted indicating qualities God. observes form-critical approach could explain discrepancies portrayed date textual composition, however, try reconcile any internal contradictions Bible. Three unpacks attack tradition classical theism. do they argue theism’s perfect, unchanging deity incongruous Bible, blame Greek philosophy distorting understood conceptually. theists accept ‘Hellenistic thesis’ found nineteenth-century developed notably Adolf von Harnack, dichotomizes Christianity Hellenism, Platonism Aristotelianism. use designation ‘classical theism’ broadly lump together Calvinism Augustinianism Catholic patristic medieval eras. appreciates refinements Sanders’ nuanced reflection Christianization opposed outright rejection, Boyd’s observation reject principle negative transcendence characterize majesty negation shows recent scholarship Hellenization can advance refine objections Hellenistic essentialization. Evangelical embrace concept However, run difficulties explaining some about mind changing taken literally others, those attributing body parts God, not. Recent texts Terence Fretheim, Walter Brueggemann, scholars assist defending theologically. Four turns inspects define attributes accommodate responsiveness. omniscience foreknowledge, reframed wisdom love trust allowing humans freedom. Divine becomes liberating power, sharing participating beings salvation history, immutability reliability steadfastness devotion humanity. intent faithful including openness. Perhaps most ambitious section excursion through works famous twentieth-century Karl Barth, Emil Brunner, Jurgen Moltmann, Wolfhart Pannenberg. These share striking motifs motivations theism: seek abstract reformulate attribute mean faithfulness constancy, redefine power self-limitation rather than control. It fascinating see ideas both sides Atlantic. But according Schmid, apart Trinitarian have not suggests hermeneutic centered self-revelation Christ social Trinity would serve purpose. conclusion draws Brueggemann’s Theology Old Testament explore Bible’s polyphony regarding essence. takes line further work cannot fully unified considers need interpretation theists. inconsistency depictions reconciled accounts priority placed certain passages. Christological center testimonies around incarnated Jesus Christ. Such step bring clarity theists' systematize relate God-talk nature. final lesson well tolerate degree ambiguity understanding become destructive against members fold. fair academic perspective contentious past evangelicalism. Yet demonstrates continuing interest theological implications anthropomorphic, exercise, formulate conceptually way lived faith love.