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?

Captain America & the Moral Argument

The Marvel Movie franchise is arguably the most epic enterprise in movie history. The series has a number of stand-out characters, however, two stand out more than the others. In fact, their differences stand in such firm relief so as to culminate in a film where they were driven toe-to-toe whilst still harboring a slight underlying … Continue reading Captain America & the Moral Argument

A Molinist’s Guide Toward ‘Truthmaking’

Abstract: The outgrowth of the truthmaker theory is due in part to the realist conception of truth that has been endorsed more prominently in recent years. Supplementing this realism is the notion of truthmaking—that truth depends upon the world. As a ‘cheater-catching’ business, the truthmaking enterprise has been celebrated to exclude ontologically groundless metaphysical systems. Some … Continue reading A Molinist’s Guide Toward ‘Truthmaking’

The Importance of Apologetics

Apologetics is not, as it might sound, apologizing for one’s faith. Rather, the word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which means a defense of one’s opinions or beliefs. If theology is the study of what one believes about God, then apologetics is the study of why one believes what they believe about God. … Continue reading The Importance of Apologetics

Divine Sovereignty, Human Choice, & Seven “Theological Truths”

Tom Barnes is a pastor, author, and theologian who lives in Nebraska — a mere twenty miles from my current residence. Tom is brilliant and one of the nicest guys I know. He is also one of the first to encourage me to take my systematic theology seriously. In fact, a decade ago (2008) we … Continue reading Divine Sovereignty, Human Choice, & Seven “Theological Truths”

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?

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

Blogging

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

1 20 21 22 23 24 43