Counterfactuals & the Big Three

By Chan Arnett

When talking about Molinism and its relation to the other major views of God’s sovereignty, omniscience and human freedom it seems there is much confusion on the issue of true counterfactuals of creaturely freedom (CCF’s from here on). Namely, God’s knowledge of what would be the case if circumstances were different. One of the best, most … Continue reading Counterfactuals & the Big Three

Substance Dualism vs Socialism

By Chris Wilkinson

I am amazed and frightened at the acceptance of, and even downright preference for Socialism among the young adults of today. Most young adults today possess little property due to the socialist bent of our current government and our administrative state, so it is not totally unexpected that they might embrace socialism as they have comparatively nothing to lose … Continue reading Substance Dualism vs Socialism

The Silence of God

By Dr. David Oldham

I have been a Christian for many years—since I was a teenager—and I have been a pastor for about 42 years, but I have to admit that I know so little about God. I say that not with a fake humility, but because it is true. I want—like most of believers—to have a deep relationship … Continue reading The Silence of God

The Collapse of the Anti-Modal Collapse Objections

By Shannon Byrd

Abstract: The doctrine of divine simplicity (DDS) has come under fire in recent years and shows no sign of cooling. Currently, one of the most interesting arguments against this doctrine is what has been referred to as the “modal collapse.” In this paper, I demonstrate that many of the objections raised against the argument are … Continue reading The Collapse of the Anti-Modal Collapse Objections

Paul Helm Misses The Mark on Molinism: A Response to Ligonier.org’s “Molinism 101”

By Jonathan Thompson

Summary: Paul Helm has contributed an article to Ligonier.org in which he presents two noteworthy objections to Molinism. First, Helm presents an internal critique of Molinism purporting to show that Libertarian Free Will (LFW) undermines God’s providential control over the world. Second, Helm argues that Molinism is incompatible with the doctrine of irresistible grace. I … Continue reading Paul Helm Misses The Mark on Molinism: A Response to Ligonier.org’s “Molinism 101”

#Molinists4JamesWhite

By Matthew Smith

Recently, there has been a great disturbance within the “Christian community.” Dr. James R. White has recently been attacked by many “Christians.” I will try to present these attacks in an honest and courteous manner. In fact, although I disagree with White on several issues, I would like to set a tone of support for … Continue reading #Molinists4JamesWhite

So you say you want a Revolution, what about Romans 13?

By Steve Williams

Many Christians believe that the first section of Romans 13 – verses 1-7 — forbids any form of resistance to government… even when it clearly goes tyrannical. If one analyzes this passage of the Bible carefully, however, as The USA’s founding fathers did, we can see that Paul was speaking in generalities in this passage, and … Continue reading So you say you want a Revolution, what about Romans 13?

CARM is at it again!

By Randy Everist

It looks like CARM is discussing Molinism again. From the first sentence, we find ambiguities that may affect the ability of a person to dissect the claims. Nonetheless, I will stipulate what I reasonably believe CARM to mean so we can move on (from here on out, I will refer to Matt Slick, since he … Continue reading CARM is at it again!

Ephesians 1:4: How Calvinistic Exegesis is Logically Impossible

By Johnny Sakr

In another article found on FreeThinkingMinistries.com, Tim Stratton has argued why “Calvinism is Impossible.” By “impossible” Stratton means logically impossible when held alongside other essential Christian doctrines. I would like to continue in that line of thought and examine a common Calvinistic proof text. Consider Ephesians 1:4 (KJV): According as he hath chosen us in him before … Continue reading Ephesians 1:4: How Calvinistic Exegesis is Logically Impossible

USA’s Founders Had Christianity in Mind (Part V: Adams)

By Steve Williams

Continuing with the final subject in my series on the most influential of America’s founders (see Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and Madison), consider some quotes from John Adams either from our founding period (1776-1789) or referring back to it. Here is a letter from Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 28 June, 1813: The general principles on which the fathers … Continue reading USA’s Founders Had Christianity in Mind (Part V: Adams)

USA’s Founders Had Christianity in Mind (Part IV: Madison)

By Steve Williams

James Madison, like several other founding fathers, wrote some things that didn’t sound very Christian later in his life, but during the founding was solidly Christian. As any good judge will tell you, the meaning of civil agreements like constitutions depends on what the writers intended at the time they wrote it; not on what … Continue reading USA’s Founders Had Christianity in Mind (Part IV: Madison)

Dear Dr. Welty,

By Johnny Sakr

Dear Dr. Welty, Tim Stratton recently wrote an article critiquing your essay in Calvinism and the Problem of Evil. Since that time, you wrote a response to Stratton on your website and Stratton responded with a well-written counter-rebuttal to your response entitled “Gunslingers & Guilty Minds.” As a lawyer who deals with “guilty minds” on a … Continue reading Dear Dr. Welty,

Does Ockham’s Razor Preclude a Libertarian Interpretation of 1 Peter 1:3?

Summary: In my essay “How Should a Molinist Understand 1 Peter 1:3?” I defended the idea that 1 Peter 1:3 underdetermines whether libertarian free will (LFW) or divine causal determinism (DCD) obtains. One way one could attempt to adjudicate between these competing theories is to appeal to Ockham’s razor. Specifically, one could argue that a … Continue reading Does Ockham’s Razor Preclude a Libertarian Interpretation of 1 Peter 1:3?

A Few Arguments Against Divine Simplicity

By Shannon Byrd

In my last article I tackled what I referred to as Thomistic Compatibilism. This article can be considered a clarification of some of the earlier material while adding more argumentation against the doctrine of divine simplicity (DDS). Thomas Aquinas modeled his understanding of human free will after his take on the divine free will. Thomas … Continue reading A Few Arguments Against Divine Simplicity

Brian Cox, Souls, & the Large Hadron Collider

By Tim Reed

There are so many great scientists out there. The things they get to discover and explain to the rest of us lay people are always very cool. Every so often, however, a well-known scientist will get a bit of publicity over a controversial comment they make. When theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking’s book, The Grand Design … Continue reading Brian Cox, Souls, & the Large Hadron Collider

USA’s Founders Had Christianity in Mind (Part III: Franklin)

By Steve Williams

Christ Church Burial Ground is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and his wife. Four other signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here. Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin considered himself as a Christian during the founding of the United States, but experimented with other religions (such as Deism) during other times of his life. … Continue reading USA’s Founders Had Christianity in Mind (Part III: Franklin)