A theological analysis of the concept of the future's openness in African religious discourse

Ongoing theological discussions persist within evangelical Christian theological circles regarding the question of whether the future is predetermined by God or not. Classical theists assert that God has unequivocally predetermined the future. In this particular arrangement, although the future may...

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Main Author: Mogomotsi Jaba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Institut Agama Kristen Negeri Toraja 2024-12-01
Series:Kamasean
Subjects:
Online Access:https://kamasean.iakn-toraja.ac.id/index.php/ojsdatakamasean/article/view/331
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author Mogomotsi Jaba
author_facet Mogomotsi Jaba
author_sort Mogomotsi Jaba
collection DOAJ
description Ongoing theological discussions persist within evangelical Christian theological circles regarding the question of whether the future is predetermined by God or not. Classical theists assert that God has unequivocally predetermined the future. In this particular arrangement, although the future may be unknown to humans, it already exists and is known by God. According to Classical theists, all moments in time, including the future, exist simultaneously before God. On the other hand, there are Open theists who explicitly reject this deterministic perspective. Open theists believe that the future is yet undetermined and is still in the process of becoming. This article sought to achieve two interconnected theological manoeuvres. Firstly, it aimed to broaden the discussions regarding the nature of the future inside African religious discourse. Secondly, the article aimed to justify the belief that the future is unknown to both God and mankind based on African religious reflection. This task was conducted using analytic theology as a research method. The conclusion drawn is that in African religious thought, the future is perceived as non-existent at present. The article contributes to the field of multicultural theology.
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spelling doaj-art-6373435b4b8d4dbd98c1fc4e562a64452025-08-20T02:28:47ZengInstitut Agama Kristen Negeri TorajaKamasean2722-86572722-88002024-12-015212714710.34307/kamasean.v5i2.331331A theological analysis of the concept of the future's openness in African religious discourseMogomotsi Jaba0Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, South AfricaOngoing theological discussions persist within evangelical Christian theological circles regarding the question of whether the future is predetermined by God or not. Classical theists assert that God has unequivocally predetermined the future. In this particular arrangement, although the future may be unknown to humans, it already exists and is known by God. According to Classical theists, all moments in time, including the future, exist simultaneously before God. On the other hand, there are Open theists who explicitly reject this deterministic perspective. Open theists believe that the future is yet undetermined and is still in the process of becoming. This article sought to achieve two interconnected theological manoeuvres. Firstly, it aimed to broaden the discussions regarding the nature of the future inside African religious discourse. Secondly, the article aimed to justify the belief that the future is unknown to both God and mankind based on African religious reflection. This task was conducted using analytic theology as a research method. The conclusion drawn is that in African religious thought, the future is perceived as non-existent at present. The article contributes to the field of multicultural theology.https://kamasean.iakn-toraja.ac.id/index.php/ojsdatakamasean/article/view/331african traditional religionclassical theismomniscienceopen futureopen theism
spellingShingle Mogomotsi Jaba
A theological analysis of the concept of the future's openness in African religious discourse
Kamasean
african traditional religion
classical theism
omniscience
open future
open theism
title A theological analysis of the concept of the future's openness in African religious discourse
title_full A theological analysis of the concept of the future's openness in African religious discourse
title_fullStr A theological analysis of the concept of the future's openness in African religious discourse
title_full_unstemmed A theological analysis of the concept of the future's openness in African religious discourse
title_short A theological analysis of the concept of the future's openness in African religious discourse
title_sort theological analysis of the concept of the future s openness in african religious discourse
topic african traditional religion
classical theism
omniscience
open future
open theism
url https://kamasean.iakn-toraja.ac.id/index.php/ojsdatakamasean/article/view/331
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