Molinism teaches that god knows everything, but open theism does not so molinism is closer to arminianism than open theism. As a follow up from my last post, i want to highlight an important book defending the theology of molinism, salvation and sovereignty by kenneth keathley. The contemporary debate, edited by ken perszyk next article. Specifically, it seeks to maintain a strong view of gods sovereignty over creation. That is salvation by grace alone and the helpless fallen, rebellious nature of man. I was first introduced to molinism as a solution to the. First is his natural knowledge which consists of all logical possibilities i. Contemporary debates on risk management popular collection. Molinism provides a system that reconciles the calvinist view of gods sovereignty with the arminian view of humanitys freedom.
The doctrine at the center of this controversy is called middle knowledge also known as molinism. This debate can be found on premier christina radios website, which i have left a link to the debate in the references below. I want to share with you a perspective on pauls teaching that i think youll find very illuminating and encouraging. Finally, directions in which the discussion of molinism might most profitably proceed are suggested. The finest prominent promoters of molinism in the theological world are alvin. Jun 08, 2017 to paint this picture, and make my biblical case for molinism, my burden will be to provide biblical data that either teaches, implies, rationally infers, or is consistent with what i have called the two essential pillars of mere molinism humans possess libertarian freedom and god has middle knowledge. James white on molinism confusion about middle knowledge j. God, time, and knowledge, cornell studies in the philosophy of. Reposted from analogical thoughts, with permission. Sep 02, 2014 these pagan philosophers in their appearance of wisdom schijnwijsheid had only imagined things about god and about the way to the supreme good, which these teachers would mix with the gospel, as do also the scholastic teachers in the papacy, whereby the simplicity and straightforwardness of the saving doctrine of the gospel is considerably darkened and distorted. Replies to hasker and zimmerman trenton merricks molinism.
According to molinism, the truth of all true counterfactuals of freedom about us is. Reflection and clarity on the molinism debate think theism. Molinism is a philosophy that seeks to deal with gods sovereignty and mans free will. Molinism and romans 9 those who reject christ freely choose to do so. Apr 22, 20 in recent months and years, an old controversy about the nature of gods knowledge has been reignited in certain christian circles. Background molinism is a view of divine providence that harmonizes complete divine sovereignty with genuine human freedom. If, therefore, you are already well acquainted with the contemporary debate about molinism, this book will take you further into it and link it with other fields of thought. The contemporary debate, oxford university press, 2012, 296pp. The literature is enormous, and the issues can be complex. He has published articles on a range of areas, including molinism, the argument from evil, the metaphysics of modality, the history of early analytical philosophy and wittgenstein. But molinism cannot be allowed to determine the contours of a christian doctrine or how it is to be formulated. Kvanvig, baylor university there is a special, negative emotion one gets on search committees and graduate admissions committees when facing the prospect of reading one more writing sample. Read part 1 in this short series im considering the question. James white on molinism confusion about middle knowledge.
I think that the sort of calvinism represented by the statement quoted above from the westminster confession is a fair summary of scriptures teaching and therefore should be. But theres no suggestion there that those who refused. Molinism is a ridiculous papist attempt to counter the biblical truthsrealities that the reformers rediscovered. The socalled mightproblem leads to the debate concerning whether. While there are also contemporary versions of a few unpublished portions. Of course, given gods total providence over the affairs of men, this is not the whole story. For if many died through one mans trespass, much more have the grace of god and the free gift by the grace of that one man jesus christ abounded for many. Molinism vs calvinism post debate thoughts jonathan thompson. Perszyk summarizes that since god knows by middle knowledge what each. Aug 26, 2011 lutheranism occupies a somewhat unique position amongst the churches and traditions born of the reformation era. Motivating molinism introduction molinism, in contemporary usage, is the name for a theory about the workings of divine providence. The heart of molinism is the principle that god is completely sovereign and man is also free in a libertarian sense. In the first post i summarized how i plan to approach the question, before looking at two biblical teachings which molinism seeks to accommodate.
Molinism the name used to denote one of the systems which purpose to reconcile grace and free will. Bibliography on open theism by john sanders john sanders. Their god is basically a big, smart computer that frantically does what he can to create a world where the largest percentage of people can be saved. Join the dirty christian as he hosts his first ever debate about calvinism vs. The work may be criticized for lacking the philosophical rigor of most works on molinism, but such a critique is to ignore its selfimposed and refreshing theological approach. James white does not understand molinism, and his criticisms that he rendered in his youtube video, explanation and refutation of middle knowledge reflect that. Because this is so, the existence of these evils does not constituted evidence against gods existence. Presupposing a strongly libertarian account of freedom, molinists assert against their rivals that the grace whereby god cooperates with supernaturally salvific acts is not intrinsically efficacious. Oct 31, 2012 as a follow up from my last post, i want to highlight an important book defending the theology of molinism, salvation and sovereignty by kenneth keathley. An open theist theodicy of natural evil in molinism. Because molinism is a mediating position, it has some overlap with both calvinism and arminianism. He knows what is possible or impossible in the world by knowing what he can or cannot do.
Ryan byerlys recent work on the mechanics of foreknowledge sheds light on this issue. In contrast to both calvinism and arminianism, molinism posits that god exercises his sovereignty through his omniscience. Calvinism vs open theism vs molinism vs arminianism calvinism vs. Molinism is a system of thought that seeks to reconcile the sovereignty of god and the free will of man. His primary research interests are in philosophy of religion and metaphysics. John martin fischer has argued that molinism does not constitute a response to the argument that divine foreknowledge is incompatible with human freedom. The contemporary debate provides a snapshot of the current state of what perszyk calls the molinism wars. My curiosity is no doubt related to my ignorance of what distinguishes thomism from molinism, etc. So why do so many intelligent and faithful christian leaders buy into calvinism. The molinist account of divine providence reconciles two claims long thought to be incompatible. Oct 20, 2008 molinism and romans 9 election was understood to be part of the jewish identity second, lets talk about pauls doctrine of election in romans 9.
Many theologians have said that god knows the world by knowing himself. Lutheranism occupies a somewhat unique position amongst the churches and traditions born of the reformation era. It means a debate held with your contemporaries ian and kenneth are your contemporaries. Calvinism vs open theism vs molinism vs arminianism. Sep 09, 2015 molinism vs calvinism post debate thoughts jonathan thompson. Molinism is an attempt to provide a solution to the classic philosophical problems associated with gods providence, foreknowledge and the freedom of humanity. The molinist notion of middle knowledgeand especially its main objects, socalled counterfactuals of creaturely freedomhave been the subject of vigorous. I tag teamed with richard bushey against turretinfan and josh sommer. Molinism seems like the old determination to seek to guard the sanctity of human free will.
Campbells arguments and makes his own comments in this blog post here. Pdf william craig has recently objected to my defense of robert adams. You know it completely vu research portal vrije universiteit. God, from eternity past, considers all the possible paths of history, with its infinite permutations, and chooses to direct it according to how many sinners will of their own free will be saved.
Molinism teaches that god has something called middle knowledge, which is his hypothetical knowledge of what free people would do in all of the circumstances that they could be in. Molinism first off, let me begin by asking you to comment and let everyone know what your current belief system is regarding gods predestination, foreknowledge, and foreordination. Its defenders include some of the most prominent contemporary. More believers are appealing to its philosophical underpinnings in order to try to deal with some difficult biblical topics. Wednesday, i participated in a debate on molinism v calvinism. Dec 07, 2005 molinism is a ridiculous papist attempt to counter the biblical truthsrealities that the reformers rediscovered. Molinism vs calvinism post debate thoughts youtube. Paul helm to write an introduction to this important subject. Harking back to the objection to there being true counterfactuals of freedom prior to gods decreeing of them, this is one of the few places at which contemporary discussion of molinism connects with the original reformed objections. If your acquaintance is only slight, the first section will probably put you off increasing it, but the second will provide some stimulating thoughts. Apr 29, 2016 join the dirty christian as he hosts his first ever debate about calvinism vs. Nevertheless, there are a few issues i think deserve comment.
The molinist notion of middle knowledgeand especially its main objects, socalled counterfactuals of creaturely freedomhave been the subject of vigorous debate in. Whether or not molinism effectively accomplishes this task remains open for debate. In an effort to help our readers better understand the issues at stake, we have invited dr. In recent months and years, an old controversy about the nature of gods knowledge has been reignited in certain christian circles. Molinism vs calvinism informing theologians may increase molinisms acceptance. Apr 19, 2010 molinism vs calvinism informing theologians may increase molinisms acceptance.
His argument was essentially that the molinist assertion that god knows what we will do in any given circumstance the doctrine of middle knowledge entails. Jan 31, 2017 wednesday, i participated in a debate on molinism v calvinism. Christopher hitchens tries to debate john lennox, gets. Molinism, helm arguing calvinism and craig arguing molinism. Whether you are a calvinist, molinist, arminian, or whatever, i think this book is important for the following reason. I thought that white did a decent job critiquing the synergistic tendencies in craigs exposition, but i also felt he failed to grasp the thrust of molinism.
Our blog and database provide guidance for the molinist, christian thinker, and curious researcher alike. Gods omniscience is conceptually divided into three logical moments. Molinism, in contemporary usage, is the name for a theory about the workings. Jan 27, 2014 the most problematic area in james whites exposition came when he argued that free will is essentially vacuous on molinism. Yesterday i came upon a debate between an author and teacher that i respect and whose work i enjoy, william lane craig, and, one whom i must regretfully confess i havnt heard of before, paul helm. Travis campbell discussed middle knowledge in this podcast and objected to molinism on the basis that it undermines gods aseity. Lately, in my discussions with christians on various aspects of biblical theology, i have come across molinism. Imagine you were to overhear a conversation between a. The journal of the cross examination debate association, is a refereed journal dedicated to publishing quality scholarship related to the theory and practice of debate academic and pubic sphere, and argumentation theoretical and applied. In this circumstance, this person will always do this. It seems inappropriate for me to evaluate if our side won or not that should be left to the audience. Joseph grieco, anarchy and the limits of cooperation. I cant resist asking if anyone has studied whether the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics qm would tend to push someone toward thomism, molinism, or another pole in the debate. Molinism is riddled with many theological and philosophical problems e.
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