Tag: Molinism
A Molinist Response to Wayne Grudem
Question Tim, I’m sure you know that Wayne Grudem is no fan of William Lane Craig’s teaching on Molinism. In his popular theology textbook, Grudem mentions middle knowledge dozens of times and in Chapter 16, he gets down to business and presents four reasons why (he thinks) the Molinist position is not tenable. I’m going … Continue reading A Molinist Response to Wayne Grudem
Craig v. White: A Lay Person’s Perspective
I am not a Calvinist. I am not a Molinist. I am not an Arminian. However, my life, theology, and ministry has been shaped by giants of the faith in all three of these realms. Two such giants joined Justin Brierley to discuss which position best explains the problem of evil from a theological perspective … Continue reading Craig v. White: A Lay Person’s Perspective
A Calvinist Considering Molinism
Question Hey Dr. Tim, I’ve been thinking about Molinism for several years (coming from a Calvinist perspective). If I understand it correctly God exercises providential control through middle knowledge of what free creatures would do in any set of circumstances. My question is that given that a huge number of circumstances depend on other choices … Continue reading A Calvinist Considering Molinism
Molinism and Alleged Loops
Introduction Philip Swenson has recently offered an argument against Molinism. Although he opposes determinism and is a fellow libertarian freedom-fighter, he does not believe that God possesses middle knowledge. Thus, he believes that Molinism is false. I have argued, however, that Swenson’s view is extremely similar to “Mere Molinism.” The Mere Molinist merely affirms both … Continue reading Molinism and Alleged Loops
Read This Article: Perhaps I’ll Reject Open Theism
To become a Mere Molinist all one has to do is affirm two propositions: 1- God possesses middle knowledge. 2- Humans possess libertarian freedom. These are the two pillars of Mere Molinism, and after surveying the scriptural support, perfect being theology, and philosophical arguments, many Christ followers seem to think that these two key ingredients … Continue reading Read This Article: Perhaps I’ll Reject Open Theism
Strange Knowledge Defeats Evil (YouTube Script)
Watch the YouTube video here (please like, share, and subscribe)! What’s up Free-Thinkers and True-Believers? I’m Dr. Stratton . . . and today I’m going to be talking about Doctor Strange and the Avengers. Marvel Studios took their time and spent a good decade developing many of my favorite childhood comics into fantastic movies. And … Continue reading Strange Knowledge Defeats Evil (YouTube Script)
Molinism, Hell, and the Problem of Luck
I recently had the pleasure of interacting with a few folks studying philosophical theology after sharing my paper defending Mere Molinism from the objections raised by Calvinist philosopher, Guillaume Bignon. This led to a short, but profitable, exchange with Michael regarding Molinism and Hell. It sheds light on a couple important issues . . . … Continue reading Molinism, Hell, and the Problem of Luck
Marginal Credibility as a Scholar
Objection: Tim, in your paper, Bignon’s Review of Mere Molinism: A Rejoinder, you wrote the following: “I wrote a 300-page book surveying biblical data, historical theology, metaphysics, epistemology, perfect being theology, and apologetics. I only had one chapter to devote to a philosophical defense of libertarian freedom. Thus, I did not have the time or … Continue reading Marginal Credibility as a Scholar
Does God Have Middle Knowledge of His Own Actions?
One distinctive feature of Molinism is the idea of Middle Knowledge, whereby God knows what any possible creature would freely do under any possible set of circumstances. Hence, the content of this knowledge is said to include all true Counterfactuals of Creaturely Freedom (CCF). An interesting question arises when we ask ourselves “Does God also … Continue reading Does God Have Middle Knowledge of His Own Actions?
Logical Moments & the Structure of God’s Knowledge
Recently Tim Stratton wrote a response to the following question: “On the framework of Molinism, if there are multiple “logical moments” (not to be confused with chronological moments) prior to God’s creative decree, then would this not imply that God knows and does not know a truth simultaneously? If so, is this not a contradiction … Continue reading Logical Moments & the Structure of God’s Knowledge