Richard Rice (theologian)

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T. Richard Rice (1944—) is an American Seventh-day Adventist theologian and author. He is a leading proponent of "open theism", a term he invented, which describes a controversial understanding of God. As of 2007 he is professor of theology and philosophy of religion at Loma Linda University in California.^[1]

Biography

Rice received an MDiv degree from Andrews University in 1969, and an MA and PhD in Christian theology from the University of Chicago in 1972 and 1974, respectively. He taught at La Sierra University, in Riverside, California until 1998, moving then to Loma Linda University, where he is (as of 2007) a Professor of Religion in the areas of Theology and Philosophy of Religion.^[2] He has served as a church pastor.^[3]

Open theism

Rice introduced the term "open theism" in his 1980 book The Openness of God: The Relationship of Divine Foreknowledge and Human Free Will. The book was published by Seventh-day Adventist publisher Review and Herald, but proved controversial within the church and was not reprinted. Later, evangelical Clark Pinnock contacted Rice to convey his deep appreciation of the book, and gave it a positive review.^[4] It was republished by Pinnock's publisher Bethany House under the title God's Foreknowledge & Man's Free Will. In 1994, Rice and other theologians contributed to the book The Openness of God: A Biblical Challenge to the Traditional Understanding of God, which was edited by Pinnock.

David Larson has claimed, "although it may seem new to some, in less detailed forms the basics of “Open Theism” have been taught at Loma Linda University for about fifty years [as of 2007], beginning at least as early as long-time professor Jack W. Provonsha."^[5]

Publications

Rice has authored numerous books, and has published articles in the The Journal of Religion, Religious Studies Review, Andrews University Seminary Studies, Ministry, Insight and Spectrum.^[3] His books include:

• When Bad Things Happen to God's People. Pacific Press. May 1985. p. 93. ISBN 0-8163-0570-6. 
• Reason and the Contours of Faith. Loma Linda Pub Co. 1991. p. 310. ISBN 0-944450-07-5. 
• Clark H. Pinnock (ed.), Richard Rice, John Sanders, William Hasker, David Basinger (October 1994). The Openness of God: A Biblical Challenge to the Traditional Understanding of God. InterVarsity Press. p. 202. ISBN 0-8308-1852-9.  CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
• The Reign of God: An Introduction to Christian Theology from a Seventh-day Adventist Perspective (2nd ed.). Andrews University Press. January 1997. p. 423. ISBN 1-883925-16-9. 
• Suffering and the Search for Meaning. InterVarsity Press. July 2014. p. 170. ISBN 0-8308-4037-0. 

See also

• Open theism
• Progressive Adventist

References

1. ↑ Presenters :: Questions on Doctrine
2. ↑ Loma Linda University (August 15, 2000). Faculty of Religion Bulletin: 2000-2002. Loma Linda, CA: Loma Linda University. p. 52. 
3. 1 2 Reign of God, iv
4. ↑ For example, Pinnock, Clark H. "Reconstructing evangelical theology: is the open view of God a good idea?" in Andrews University Seminary Studies 2003, v41, Aut, p215–227
5. ↑ David Larson, "Richard Rice Discusses Open Theism". Spectrum Blog, 11 November 2007