Theistic finitism also known as finitistic theism or finite Godism is the belief in a deity that is limited. It has been proposed by some philosophers and theologians to solve the problem of evil. Most finitists accept the absolute goodness of God but reject omnipotence.
History
defended theistic finitism in his book A Philosophy of Religion, published in 1940. Brightman stated that theistic finitism began with Plato and he traced the idea through history to Marcion, Mani and Manichaeism, Pierre Bayle, John Stuart Mill, H. G. Wells and many others. Finitistic theism denies that God is omnipotent. Ray Harbaugh Dotterer in his book The Argument for a Finitist Theology summarized the argument for theistic finitism: Brightman developed the concept of a finite God to solve the problem of evil. He held the view that God is an infinite personal spirit but his power is limited. Rufus Burrow, Jr. a Professor of Christian Thought has argued that Brightman was different than most other finitists as he held the view that God remains infinite in many ways. This was in opposition to Plato and H. G. Wells. Burrow noted that Brightman characterized God as a "finite-infinite God". William James was also a believer in a finite God which he used to solve the problem of evil. James rejected the divine authorship of the Bible and the idea of a perfect God. He defined God as a "combination of ideality and efficacity" and preferred a finite God that is "cognizant and responsive in some way". James's finite God was not omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient or a creator of the universe. Theologian Clarence Beckwith has suggested that Horace Bushnell was a finitist. According to Beckwith "one of the earliest attempts in America to show that God was finite was made by Horace Bushnell in his God in Christ. Another advocate of theistic finitism was Bright's student Peter Bertocci who proposed that "God is all-good but not all-powerful". Most finitists have held that God is personal, although a few such as Henry Nelson Wieman have stated God is impersonal. A minority of historical freethinkers and rationalists advocated a finite God in opposition to the God in Abrahamic religions. H. G. Wells advocated a finite God in his book God the Invisible King. Brightman suggested that Wells was the "first modern writer to devote an entire book to the concept of God's finiteness." Wells dissociated his God in any respect from the Biblical God.
Recent
Conservative rabbi Harold Kushner defended theistic finitism in his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, published in 1981. Philosopher Frank B. Dilley noted in 2000 that theistic finitism is rarely discussed in modern philosophical literature.
