so capable of experiencing emotions much like we do. In fact, God's ability to empathize and sympathize with his created is necessary for him in order to develop personal relationships with his people. We are created in God's image. This means that God is like us. We tend to think of ourselves being reflections of God but often fail to remember, that because of this, he is also like us.
             The most fundamental element to this perspective is the belief that God is interactive with his creatures; God responds to our actions. He has not predetermined the exact course of every individual's life. Although God knows what is best for us at any given point in time, he created people with a high capacity to respond to him and other situations by choice. Consequently, God responds to our responses. Thus, the relationship between the two circulates and continues indefinitely. God, therefore, is subject to the same kinds of emotions that we are because of the risk he takes in those he loves, all of mankind. He is not numb or exempt from feeling. On the contrast, he senses regret, hurt, anger, sorrow, frustration, jealousy, and joy much like we do. What does this mean? The authors would say that God is open to us in much the same way that we are open to him. The result is an enriching give-and-take relationship, whereby both parties come to know one another intimately, but with the possibility and vulnerability of much risk. On the positive side, this is one reason why God did not create robots, wired to do exactly what the master demands. Their theology ultimately means that God changes to adapt to his creatures. God is dynamic, interactive, and open. The authors would argue that a relationship with God thus becomes very personal and wonderful.
             Each of the five authors contributes one chapter to The Openness of God. To illustrate exactly how they've come to understand the open view of God, they take into a...