Richard Rice
Encyclopedia
T. Richard Rice 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
.
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. He has served as a church pastor.
, 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. 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."
, Religious Studies Review
, Andrews University Seminary Studies
, Ministry
, Insight
and Spectrum
. His books include:
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
theologian
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
and author. He is a leading proponent of "open theism
Open theism
Open theism is a recent theological movement that has developed within evangelical and post-evangelical Protestant Christianity as a response to certain ideas that are related to the synthesis of Greek philosophy and Christian theology...
", 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
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist coeducational health sciences university located in Loma Linda, California, United States. The University comprises eight schools and the Faculty of Graduate Studies...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Biography
Rice received an MDiv degree from Andrews UniversityAndrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
in 1969, and an MA and PhD in Christian theology from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
in 1972 and 1974, respectively. He taught at La Sierra University
La Sierra University
La Sierra University is a Seventh-day Adventist co-educational university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Adventist Accrediting Association...
, in Riverside, California
Riverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
until 1998, moving then to Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist coeducational health sciences university located in Loma Linda, California, United States. The University comprises eight schools and the Faculty of Graduate Studies...
, where he is (as of 2007) a Professor of Religion in the areas of Theology and Philosophy of Religion. He has served as a church pastor.
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 HeraldReview and Herald Publishing Association
The Review and Herald Publishing Association is one of two major Seventh-day Adventist publishing houses in North America and is the oldest institution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The organization publishes books, magazines, study guides, CDs, videos and games for Adventist churches,...
, but proved controversial within the church and was not reprinted. Later, evangelical Clark Pinnock
Clark Pinnock
Clark H. Pinnock was a Christian theologian, apologist and author. He was Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at McMaster Divinity College.-Education and career:...
contacted Rice to convey his deep appreciation of the book, and gave it a positive review. It was republished by Pinnock's publisher Bethany House
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers is an evangelical publisher that publishes mostly Christian fiction and Non-Fiction. Bethany House Publishers was bought out in 2003 by Baker Publishing Group. In 2010, Bethany House has been open of fifty-two years....
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."
Publications
Rice has authored numerous books, and has published articles in the The Journal of ReligionThe Journal of Religion
The Journal of Religion is an academic journal published by the University of Chicago Press founded in 1882 as The American Journal of Theology. The journal "embraces all areas of theology as well as other types of religious studies ."...
, Religious Studies Review
Religious Studies Review
Religious Studies Review is the journal of the Council of Societies for the Study of Religion , which is based at Rice University. The journal is published quarterly by Wiley-Blackwell....
, Andrews University Seminary Studies
Andrews University Seminary Studies
Andrews University Seminary Studies is a refereed scholarly Christian journal published by the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. It is issued twice a year from Berrien Springs, MI. The journal was founded in 1963 and currently has a circulation of 600 copies...
, Ministry
Ministry (magazine)
Ministry: International Journal for Pastors is an international monthly magazine for Christian ministers, with a circulation of approximately 100,000. It is published by the Ministerial Association , an official body of the worldwide Adventist church. It is aimed at pastors and ministers of the...
, Insight
Insight (Adventist magazine)
Insight is a weekly magazine aimed at Seventh-day Adventist young people, published by Review and Herald. It has been described as one of the "most important" Adventist magazines.- History :...
and Spectrum
Spectrum (magazine)
Spectrum is the official publication of Adventist Forums, published four times a year. It was established "to encourage Seventh-day Adventist participation in the discussion of contemporary issues from a Christian viewpoint, to look without prejudice at all sides of a subject, to evaluate the...
. His books include: