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Justified Metaphysical Beliefs

Question Dear Dr. Stratton, I was watching a debate review where Taylor Cyr was talking about a revised Epicurean argument against determinism (pretty close to some of your Free-Thinking Arguments). While I don’t think he raised any good objections (he didn’t spend much time on it), his mention of it made me think of a … Continue reading Justified Metaphysical Beliefs

God is NOT a Deity of Deception

Question Dr. Tim, You recently shared a Facebook post high-lightning the Apostle Paul’s words in 1st Corinthians 10:15. It reads: “I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.” You then added the following: “Be a FreeThinker. Don’t let something or someone else causally determine your judgments!” Do you really want to … Continue reading God is NOT a Deity of Deception

Defining Libertarian Freedom

Question Hey Dr. Stratton, A fellow libertarian has taken issue with your definition of libertarian freedom. Although you offer multiple definitions in your book and other writings, you often describe libertarian freedom in the following manner: “the ability to choose among a range of alternative options, each of which is compatible with one’s nature at … Continue reading Defining Libertarian Freedom

The Form of Government in Heaven

Question: Dear Dr. Stratton,  I have a short but not so simple question: What type or form of government is the Kingdom of Heaven? – Mike Tim’s Response: What a great question! If Heaven is “the way things ought to be,” then humans ought to attempt to emulate this political standard knowing full well we … Continue reading The Form of Government in Heaven

The Location of Determinism

Question: Dr. Tim, The location of determinism, if external, could be seen as warrant to the conclusion that we are “meat puppets”. But why must we accept that determinism is solely through external “forces” beyond our control? First, this assumes control *must* be regulative. But more importantly, why can the location of determinism not be … Continue reading The Location of Determinism

Peter’s Freedom Before the Rooster Crowed

Question Dear Dr. Stratton, You’ve noted that there are some questions that have kept you up at night for long periods of time. The question that has caused me to lose a tremendous amount of sleep is regarding Peter’s freedom to deny or not to deny Jesus three times after Jesus told him that he … Continue reading Peter’s Freedom Before the Rooster Crowed

A Quick History Lesson

Objection: The Bible is a compendium of fire side tales and fables recounted orally for generations by goat herders and primitive tribes from the stone age, until writing was invented, and then again many different sources, transliterations, and versions were written down. There were no grand central universities to organise the many various versions of … Continue reading A Quick History Lesson

“Don’t Mix Politics & Religion!”

Complaint: Dear Tim, I love you man but I don’t want my politics and my religion mixed. I look up to you for religious context and commentary because you are an expert in the field. Not politics. That’s just your opinions and I can get that from every Tom, Dick and Harry… but not Tim. … Continue reading “Don’t Mix Politics & Religion!”

Ford, Kavanaugh, & Evidence: A Woman’s Claims vs Lady Justice

Question Dear Tim, My heart hurts with this whole Ford vs Kavanaugh deal. Something I can’t wrap my mind around is how 99% of people are 100% sure they know what happened. It’s a scary thing for me to consider either possibility and the precedent each sets: 1) an innocent man’s life/family/career is destroyed because of … Continue reading Ford, Kavanaugh, & Evidence: A Woman’s Claims vs Lady Justice

Limited Libertarian Freedom & Traditional Compatibilism: What’s the Difference?

Question Dear Tim, I’m curious. How would you differentiate your limited libertarian freedom that people are free but choose in line with their nature from historic Compatiblism that holds essentially the same thing? – Tyler Tim’s Response Thank you for question, Tyler. You are correct in that I affirm that our natures do determine things … Continue reading Limited Libertarian Freedom & Traditional Compatibilism: What’s the Difference?

Is the Freethinking Argument Question Begging?

Question: Dear Tim, I will try to be as concise and brief as possible. I am a Christian and my question is concerning free will, determinism, Molinism and of course, with respect to your Argument of Freethinking against Naturalism. The Freethinking Argument Against Naturalism is formulated as follows:   1- If naturalism is true, the immaterial … Continue reading Is the Freethinking Argument Question Begging?

Determinism vs Freedom: Systematic Theology or Theological Idolatry?

Question Why is free will so important to so many people? Why idolize something that God would not be in control of? In fact, this libertarian freedom you always speak of is impossible, no one has it, not even God because He must always act according to His nature! All is determined! Seems to me … Continue reading Determinism vs Freedom: Systematic Theology or Theological Idolatry?

Rude Reformers!

Question It’s platitudinous to claim that there are aggressive people in every group, however, it’s more controversial to claim that a particular group of people is more prone to aggression than others. For example, I take it that you share the same experience I do when I assert the proposition that “Internet atheists are generally … Continue reading Rude Reformers!

Should Christians Reject the Soul for Biblical Reasons?

Question Dear Dr. Erasmus, Tim Stratton shared your post, Objections to the Existence of the Soul, to the UK Apologetics and Evangelism Facebook group, of which I am a member. In that group, there is a very knowledgeable Christian who does not seem to believe in the existence of a soul yet says he is not a … Continue reading Should Christians Reject the Soul for Biblical Reasons?

“But who are you, O man?” – Romans 9

Question How do you respond to a Calvinist who uses the whole “Who are you, O man…” argument based on Romans 9? I’m trying to understand better how the Molinist view holds against Calvinist arguments against libertarian free will. -Aidan Tim’s Response Thank you for the question, Aiden. This is probably one of the most popular objections … Continue reading “But who are you, O man?” – Romans 9

Ghosts, Zombies, & Substance Dualism

Question Tim, have you seen that CERN has provided scientific proof that the soul (or the “ghost in the machine”) does not exist! Too bad for your Freethinking Argument! This scientific data does fatal damage to the Interactionist Substance Dualism you argue for because the only way for an immaterial substance to move a material object … Continue reading Ghosts, Zombies, & Substance Dualism

Could Jesus Have Sinned?

Question In scripture (Hebrews 4:15) Christ was tempted like us, however He not being born into a sinful nature and lived a perfect life (which is needed in order to be a sacrifice for the unjust). So, was is it really a temptation for Christ? We are tempted with a sinful nature that is prone … Continue reading Could Jesus Have Sinned?

What Is Libertarian Free Will?

Question: Hey Tim, you talk about libertarian free will all the time. Can you please explain and define exactly what you mean by this term? Thanks. Matt Tim’s Response: Thanks for your question, Matt! The first thing I need to discuss is the use of the word “libertarian.” According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Libertarian” is defined … Continue reading What Is Libertarian Free Will?

Confusing Bible Verses, Free Will, & Determinism (Part 2)

Question: Tim, I can’t say I admire your exegesis in your article Confusing Bible Verses, Free Will, & Determinism (Part 1), explaining the biblical texts. Within the context of John 6:44 it’s clear the key is not the word “can” but the statement as a whole that those who come to Jesus (believe in him) … Continue reading Confusing Bible Verses, Free Will, & Determinism (Part 2)

Confusing Bible Verses, Free Will, & Determinism (Part 1)

Question: Hey Tim, after reading pretty much everything on your website, it has reaffirmed my belief in free will. Although there are a few Bible verses that are troubling me… this may just be bad interpretation, but if you could explain how these play into the free will mindset, that would be great: John 6:44 … Continue reading Confusing Bible Verses, Free Will, & Determinism (Part 1)

How to Argue Against Abortion

Did you know that one of the four horsemen of “new atheism” was pro-life and against abortion? That’s right, the late Christopher Hitchens opposed abortion for logical and scientific reasons. I recently shared a video on social media where Hitchens and other academic atheists made the case as to why abortion is murder. It did not take … Continue reading How to Argue Against Abortion

Could Adam Avoid the Apple?

Question: “On molinism, is it possible that Adam could have not sinned? If so, then there is a world where Adam was righteous but God didn’t actuate it. If not, then there is no world in which Adam was never able to not sin, and yet God actuated that world. So, did God knowingly actuate … Continue reading Could Adam Avoid the Apple?

How Does a Soul Provide Free Will?

Here is a question I received regarding The Freethinking Argument in my article entitled, “Freethinking Atheists are Oxymorons” : In your argument, you make the case that “If the soul does not exist, libertarian free will does not exist.” Underneath that argument, you do not mention the word “soul” again. You go on to argue that rationality … Continue reading How Does a Soul Provide Free Will?

Evolution & Morality

“Why is it incorrect to think that morality evolved out of the necessity to survive?” – Graden Hi Graden, It is logically possible that our sense of morality evolved to allow humanity to survive. If this is true, and God does not exist, then it is to affirm that there is nothing objectively wrong with … Continue reading Evolution & Morality