Articles
4 Reasons Why I Blog (& Why You Should Too)
“I’m thinking about starting an apologetics blog, but what can I say that hasn’t already been said?” I asked myself this many times before I started blogging, and I’ve heard it from plenty of others as well. Also, “Do we really need another blog? Would anyone actually read it?” etc. Well, obviously I do blog, … Continue reading 4 Reasons Why I Blog (& Why You Should Too)
The MAVEN Experience
The primary goal of FreeThinking Ministries is to equip the church to engage the culture. In my opinion, no one is doing that better than Brett Kunkle. Kunkle became well-known in the apologetics community through his time at Greg Koukl’s organization, Stand To Reason. Recently, however, Kunkle has branched out and started MAVEN, an organization … Continue reading The MAVEN Experience
James White, Molinism, & Trivial Conclusions
James White responded to my article Molinism and Creaturely Essences: A Response to James White (Part 1) over Twitter. Here is the link where you can read White’s response to my essay: https://twitter.com/freethinkmin/status/960528913524019201. Just in case White’s Twitter comment is compromised, I shall reproduce White’s statement below. He states: “Classic example of missing the point due to … Continue reading James White, Molinism, & Trivial Conclusions
Responding to James White’s Anti-Molinist Critiques: The Truthmaker-Style Grounding Objection
Summary: In The Dividing Line episode Behold the Secular Woman & WLC on Molinism (Once Again) James White argues that Molinism lacks the explanatory resources to sufficiently answer what determines the truth value of counterfactuals of creaturely freedom (hereafter, CCFs). In this essay I highlight an ambiguity in White’s use of the word ‘determine’. I then address his objection, … Continue reading Responding to James White’s Anti-Molinist Critiques: The Truthmaker-Style Grounding Objection
Deconstructing the Generic Hiddenness Argument
“deus absconditus” (the hidden God) – Thomas Aquinas Having stumbled across the doctrine of Hell, Atheist Smith frets over the seemingly harsh punishments promised to the unbelievers within Christianity. Deep within, he wants to submit to the “fairy-tale” that billions of people believe in the world. Yet, he just can’t wrap his head around one … Continue reading Deconstructing the Generic Hiddenness Argument
Objective Beauty & the Existence of God
Recall the most beautiful landscape you have ever witnessed. Think about how you felt a need to take an extra moment (or several) to stare at the scene as to sear it into your memory — almost as if it were the right thing to do. Does it not seem wrong to ignore such magnificence? … Continue reading Objective Beauty & the Existence of God
The Gay Agenda & the Wrong Side of Hate
Protestors. Death threats. Misleading newspaper articles. In the days leading up to a talk I was doing on campus at North Carolina State University last year, the environment consistently became increasingly hostile. I was simply speaking about my story of struggling with sexuality issues, and how God’s overwhelming grace had rescued my soul. Why the … Continue reading The Gay Agenda & the Wrong Side of Hate
The EFCA Statement of Faith & Molinism
I love the Evangelical Free Church of America! I was born and raised in this denomination and I was a pastor in the EFCA for nearly a decade. I am no longer employed as a pastor, but I continue to be actively involved in the local church and although I seek to serve a number … Continue reading The EFCA Statement of Faith & Molinism
New Book on the Kalām Cosmological Argument
One of the most popular and intriguing arguments in favour of God’s existence is the Kalām Cosmological Argument (KCA). For the past several years, the KCA has fascinated me, so much so that I wrote my doctoral dissertation on it, spent my post-doctoral research on it, and wrote an academic book on it. The book … Continue reading New Book on the Kalām Cosmological Argument
Responding to James White’s Anti-Molinist Critiques: Abstract Objects
Summary: In The Dividing Line episode Behold the Secular Woman & WLC on Molinism (Once Again) James White argues that if Molinists are anti-realists about abstract objects, then they cannot consistently affirm that middle knowledge demarcates the range of feasible worlds available for God to create. This is because, according to White, counterfactuals of creaturely freedom (hereafter, CCFs) must … Continue reading Responding to James White’s Anti-Molinist Critiques: Abstract Objects
Does Divine Foreknowledge Preclude Human Freedom?
I remember talking with a guy at my church a while back who expressed a similar question. Paraphrasing him, he said, “How can we act a certain way if God already knew and that’s how He created us?” What was interesting about this exchange is that even though he wasn’t articulating his question the way … Continue reading Does Divine Foreknowledge Preclude Human Freedom?
Molinism & the Golden Chain of Redemption
One of my favorite things to do is engage in respectful dialogue with those who disagree. Whether it is a debate with atheists over the existence of God or a debate with a fellow Christian regarding theological issues, I love being challenged to think and to constantly reexamine my views. These conversations have forged my … Continue reading Molinism & the Golden Chain of Redemption
A Response to the Grounding Objection: Adams, Zambrano, and Cowen—the Contemporary Debate on Molinism
Abstract: The grounding objection (GO) looms large as the principal objection against Molinism. Among the two main types of GOs lie the truthmaker-style GO that seeks to repudiate the Molinist claim of the truths of counterfactuals of creaturely freedom (CCF) by virtue of the lack of metaphysical groundings of those CCFs. As will be demonstrated … Continue reading A Response to the Grounding Objection: Adams, Zambrano, and Cowen—the Contemporary Debate on Molinism
Are Mere Molinism & Moderate Calvinism the Same Thing?
Question Dear Dr. Craig, Greetings! I am an avid fan of yours. Your brilliant and faith-saving/empowering writings have been very impactful in my Christian life. I praise the Lord Jesus Christ for your life and your ministry as well. I have a growing interest in Molinism because it seems to me that its tenets are … Continue reading Are Mere Molinism & Moderate Calvinism the Same Thing?
How to Get Men to Church
There’s a critical gender gap problem in America: Christianity’s gender gap. Men attend church far less than women. Why? There are many reasons, from weak, whiny worship to emotions-based sermons. Church isn’t masculine, so men don’t go. So what’s the solution? Churches create “manly” ministries and boot camps, involving sports and YELLING and other macho … Continue reading How to Get Men to Church
Molinism: Does “Would Not” Logically Entail “Could Not?”
One of the beautiful aspects of Molinism is its commitment to maintaining the sovereignty of God in the actions of free agents. But this idea, like many ideas worth having, is not without its fair share of criticism. Since Molinism is an attempt to explain the coexistence of the sovereignty of God and the freedom … Continue reading Molinism: Does “Would Not” Logically Entail “Could Not?”