Category: Systematic Theology
Molinism, Calvinism, Apples, & Oranges
The debate between Calvinism and Molinism has consumed much of my time in recent years. I once identified as a Calvinist, but now identify as a Molinist, and my story has provided fuel to this debate’s fire. With that said, however, many who are involved — on both sides of the theological aisle — often … Continue reading Molinism, Calvinism, Apples, & Oranges
Critical Theory & Christianity
Critical theory is an ideology that is rapidly growing in influence: in the social justice movement, in academia, and in the culture at large. If you’ve ever been told that men cannot make statements about the morality of abortion, or that you should never challenge someone’s ‘lived experience,’ or that you are suffering from ‘internalized … Continue reading Critical Theory & Christianity
Does True Love Require Libertarian Free Will? A Response to Greg Koukl
Greg Koukl is one of my favorite apologists and theological thinkers. I have been reading his blogs and listening to his podcasts for years. His book “Tactics” is one that all Christians who care about evangelism should own. In my professional opinion, Koukl’s ministry, Stand To Reason, is one of the best resources available to … Continue reading Does True Love Require Libertarian Free Will? A Response to Greg Koukl
God’s Perfect Love, the Reality of Hell, & the Problem of Divine Determinism
In the latest volume of Perichoresis (an academic theology journal) Jacobus Erasmus and I offered an argument abductively concluding that Molinism is the best explanation of all the data. Our argument is a slightly revised version of the Omni Argument Against Irresistible Grace that I have been advancing over the past few years. Instead of specifically … Continue reading God’s Perfect Love, the Reality of Hell, & the Problem of Divine Determinism
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
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
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?
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