Richard Rice

T. Richard Rice (1944—) is a 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

This section requires expansion.

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]

His introductory theology textbook The Reign of God received a very positive review by evangelical Clark Pinnock.

He is married to Gail Taylor Rice.

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]

It is based on Arminian theology, and many supporters see it as the logical extension of that school of thought. It rejects both Calvinism and the liberal process theology.

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:

• The openness of God: The relationship of divine foreknowledge and human free will. Review and Herald Pub. Association. 1980. pp. 95. ISBN 0812703030. ^[6]

• Republished as: God's Foreknowledge & Man's Free Will. Bethany House Pub. 1985-11. pp. 107. ISBN 0871238454. 

• When Bad Things Happen to God's People. Pacific Press. 1985-05. pp. 93. ISBN 0816305706. 
• Reason and the Contours of Faith. Loma Linda Pub Co. 1991. pp. 310. ISBN 0944450075. 
• Clark H. Pinnock (ed.), Richard Rice, John Sanders, William Hasker, David Basinger (1994-10). The Openness of God: A Biblical Challenge to the Traditional Understanding of God. InterVarsity Press. pp. 202. ISBN 0830818529. 
• The Reign of God: An Introduction to Christian Theology from a Seventh-day Adventist Perspective (2nd ed.). Andrews University Press. 1997-01. pp. 423. ISBN 1883925169.  (publisher's page)^[7]
• Believing, Behaving, Belonging: Finding New Love for the Church (1ST ed.). Association of Adventist Forums. 2002.  (see his related article From Core to Community: Reconfiguring the Adventist Center)
• God's Foreknowledge and Man's Free Will. Wipf & Stock Publishers. 2004-01. pp. 108. ISBN 1592446760. 
• Ministryhealing: Toward a Theology of Wholeness and Witness. Loma Linda University Press. 2006-02. ISBN 1594100128. 

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. ^ ^{a b} 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
6. ^ Reviews of his 1980 The Openness of God: Spectrum, September 1981 issue:

   • The Openness of God: A Compromised Position? by George L. Goodwin
   • The Openness of God: A Logical Position? by Hollibert E. Phillips

7. ^ Reviews of Reign of God include: Pinnock, Clark (February 1988). "Rice's Reign of God: An SDA Theology for the Masses?" (PDF). Spectrum (Roseville, California: Adventist Forums) 18 (3): 56–58. ISSN 0890-0264. http://spectrummagazine.org/files/archive/archive16-20/18-3reviews.pdf#page=3. Retrieved 2008-11-04.  This is followed by "The Reign of God: Innovative, Helpful, Discreet" by Charles Scriven

See also

• Open theism
• Progressive Adventist

External links

• Faculty directory home page at Loma Linda University
• Richard Rice Discusses Open Theism, a summary by David Larson
• Gary Chartier, “From La Sierra to Cambridge: Growing Up Theologically,” Spectrum 20:2 (Dec. 1989): 2–7. (See pages 3–5)
• Articles by Rice as cataloged in Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI)