Can One Be Both a Calvinist and a Molinist?

Can one be both a Calvinist and a Molinist? Many Reformed Christians have deemed this an impossibility, while some prominent Reformed philosophers like Alvin Plantinga and Del Ratzsch profess to be simultaneously Calvinists and Molinists. The answer to the question likely depends on what one means by Molinism. If by Molinism one means agreement with … Continue reading Can One Be Both a Calvinist and a Molinist?

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?

Molinism, Identity, & Worlds

Is Molinism truly compatible with the idea of persons in other possible worlds? Can it really be possible that there is a counterfactual truth about me such that “If I were born in the 18th century, I would have sided with the American colonials against the British”?

Mere Molinism: Proving the Two Pillars

Christians both agree and disagree on several theological issues. Despite these differences on certain points, what keeps Christians united is what C.S. Lewis referred to as “Mere Christianity.” Keeping it “mere” means focusing on the one simple statement: “God raised Jesus from the dead.” If this one proposition is true, then Mere Christianity is true as … Continue reading Mere Molinism: Proving the Two Pillars

Why Divine Determinism is False

One significant debate in the church today involves God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. At face value, these two concepts might appear to be mutually exclusive, and thus, many churchgoers feel the need to “pick a side.” This debate usually divides the Church into two opposing forces: Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Calvinists are quick to affirm the exhaustive providence of God; … Continue reading Why Divine Determinism is False

Molinism Saves Marriages!

I have the best wife in the world! Tia Stratton is smart, she loves Jesus, she goes out of her way to bless me, she has a great sense of humor, and she is so SMOKIN’ HOT it is not even funny!!! Seriously, she is way out of my league, but for some reason, she freely … Continue reading Molinism Saves Marriages!

Middle Knowledge & Molinism

In the book Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views four theologians discuss God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. This article surveys the essay provided by William Lane Craig defending his position called “The Middle-Knowledge View,” also known as “Molinism.” This view depends upon not only the kind of knowledge God has, but also upon when He has it. To help make sense of … Continue reading Middle Knowledge & Molinism

Presuppositions vs. Logical Reasoning (A Debate on the Best Apologetic Method)

Keith Thompson made a video taking Dr. William Lane Craig out of context. Sam Shamoun took the liberty of posting this video to Dr. Craig’s wall in an attempt to discredit him as an evangelical Christian apologist. In response to Thompson’s video (that Shamoun shared on Dr. Craig’s Facebook page), I said the following: “We must be … Continue reading Presuppositions vs. Logical Reasoning (A Debate on the Best Apologetic Method)

Justified True Belief: (the EFCA Statement of Faith)

Free-Thinking Ministries is committed to getting our theology right. As a pastor in the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) for nearly a decade and I think the EFCA has a pretty good statement of faith. If I had my druthers I would tweak a couple of these statements (especially the ninth statement on eschatology); … Continue reading Justified True Belief: (the EFCA Statement of Faith)

Compatibilistic Free Will: Can you have your cake & eat it too?

I have spent the majority of my academic career contemplating free will. For over a decade I held the view of theological determinism and labeled myself as a “Calvinist.” For years I rejected the notion that humans were free to think or act in a libertarian sense. I found it interesting that when I began to … Continue reading Compatibilistic Free Will: Can you have your cake & eat it too?