theism? David Basinger states the limitation well when he acknowledges that open theists are
quite willing to admit that a sovereign God "cannot create a co-possible set of free moral agents
without also bringing about the possibility that states of affairs will occur which God does not
desire but cannot prohibit."
course, the important word here is guarantee. Given the open theist's view of human freedom, it
is not possible to affirm "that the exercise of the gift of freedom is controlled by God."
of human freedom... There is no blueprint that governs everything that happens, it is a real
historical project that does not proceed smoothly but goes through twists and turns... There is no
unconditional guarantee of success because there are risks for God and the creature."
the superior power. For example, God has the power to exist and the power to control all things.
But almightiness, according to Pinnock, is not the whole story. As Pinnock states,
Though no power can stand against him, God wills the existence of creatures with the
power of self-determination. This means that God is a superior power who does not cling
to his right to dominate and control but who voluntarily gives creatures room to flourish.
By inviting them to have dominion over the world (for example), God willingly surrenders
power and makes possible a partnership with the creature.
Thus, due to God's own free choice to create creatures with libertarian freedom, God limits
himself. But, as Pinnock states, this is not to be seen as a limitation "imposed from without;"
"weakness" since, as he argues, it requires more power to rule over an undetermined world than
it does over a determined one. But as a result of God's own self-limitation, it does entail that
God is a "risk-taker."