Paul helm debates william lane craig on calvinism and. Molinism is also a way of explaining gods sovereignty and free will. The remaining papers are by dean zimmerman and merricks, edwin mares and ken perszyk, edward wierenga, william lane craig and greg restall those by derk pereboom, hugh mccann and perhaps john fischer, on determinism and providence, the free will defense, and on what molinism does and does not imply, stand apart from the main lines of argument. Apr 22, 20 in recent months and years, an old controversy about the nature of gods knowledge has been reignited in certain christian circles. Consider this post a sidebar to the ongoing series on molinism. William lane craig and professor paul helm on the topic molinism vs. William lane craig writes a fairly easytounderstand book in a fun and easyreading style that walks you through both of these questions and many more. It draws on some recent comments by william lane craig, arguably the leading evangelical defender of molinism, in response to a readers question bold added. I think youre right, gordon, that a great many intelligent and godly christian leaders are reformed, or followers of john calvin, in their theology. This book is an academic title that is not written with the layperson in mind. For doctor white to criticize a molinist scholar, such as doctor william lane craig, it is to be thought of something like a student debating a professor. Books by william lane craig author of reasonable faith.
Since doctor william lane craig is the most prominent living defender of molinism, people often think that he is representing every form of molinism. Since my post on molinismmiddle knowledge garnered some interest i figured it would be helpful to provide some more resources on the subject for anyone who is interested in exploring, as william lane craig puts it, such a fruitful doctrine further audio. Reasonablefaithorg is the official youtube channel for dr. Craig has updated and defended the kalam cosmological argument.
He is professor of philosophy at houston baptist university and research professor of philosophy at talbot school of theology biola university, and is considered to be one of the 50 most influential living philosophers in the world. Paul helm to write an introduction to this important subject. Jun 14, 2012 unfortunately, molinism for dummies does not yet exist. William lane craig, questions on molinism, compatibilism and free will. William lane craig phd, university of birmingham, england. William lane craig calls molinism one of the most fruitful theological ideas ever conceived. William lane craig has 95 books on goodreads with 33356 ratings. Why do atheists almost always lose to william lane craig. Prominent contemporary molinists are william lane craig, alfred freddoso, thomas flint, kenneth keathley, and david armstrong. Robert e picirilli, towards a nondeterministic theology of divine providence. However, i have gotten stuck on some of his views towards molinism. Perhaps surprising to some, christian philosopher william lane craig affirms that he has no problem with this and certain other classic statements of reformed theology. William lane craigs most popular book is reasonable faith.
Molinism is an attempt to provide a solution to the classic philosophical problems associated with gods providence, foreknowledge and the freedom of humanity. William lane craig on romans 9 society of evangelical arminians. From what i understand traditional molinism is that god has middle knowledge, meaning he knows even all of the what if scenarios. The william lane craigsam harris debate promised to be a better affair than last weeks craigkrauss debate, and it did not disappoint. The reductionist worldview january 6 2015 42 december 3 october 3 september 3. I conclude that white doesnt actually offer an analysis so much as uses an incredulous tone and makes largely. I recall william lane craig introduced us to this doctrine. In the march 11, 2014 episode of the dividing line, james white offers an analysis of the discussion between dr. Top books on arminianismmolinism credo house ministries.
Response to james white on the unbelievable william lane. That was the one he had with sam harris a few years ago. Reason, and all that god has ordered the spread of molinism book 1 andrews, max b the philosophy, theology, and science of molinism the spread of molinism book 2 andrews. Dr william lane craig, calvinism and universal divine causal. Four views four theologians discuss gods sovereignty and human responsibility.
After all, if molinism means one must deny an essential attribute of god, there is a pretty serious difficulty with the doctrine. William lane craig is research professor of philosophy at talbot school of theology and professor of. William lane craig is research professor of philosophy at talbot school of theology and professor of philosophy at houston baptist university. However, that is something like thinking that doctor michael brown an arminian pentecostal brother represents every nuance of christian belief. In recent months and years, an old controversy about the nature of gods knowledge has been reignited in certain christian circles. Besides the good content, the sidebar definitions, quotes, pictures, facts, and the talk about it boxes make this a wonderfully interactive book. Scripture, reason, and all that god has ordered the spread of molinism book 1 andrews, max b the philosophy, theology, and science of molinism the spread of molinism book 2 andrews. It probably will soon enough, due to its growing popularity. He is known for his work in the philosophy of religion, philosophy of time, and the defense of christian theism. James white does not understand molinism, and his criticisms that he rendered in his youtube video, explanation and refutation of middle knowledge reflect that.
Responding to paul kjoss helseths defense of the reformed view in the book four views on divine providence, william lane craig writes. This is the closest thing i know to it, and i like keathleys work a lot, although i have not read this book yet. Aug 10, 2015 william lane craig, questions on molinism, compatibilism and free will. In that post, i expressed my surprise concerning william lane craigs redefinition of libertarian freedom, in which he denied that it entails the principle of alternative possibilities pap, often described as the power of contrary. Buy reasonable faith first by william lane craig isbn. Specifically, it seeks to maintain a strong view of gods sovereignty over creation. Scripture, reason, and all that god has ordered the spread of molinism book 1, kindle edition, 2014, kindle locations 146147. William lane craig wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Unfortunately, numerous caricatures have been presented by those who hold opposing views. William lane craig is an american analytic philosopher and christian theologian. A molinist approach, or the final chapter of william lane craigs the only wise god. B beginner i intermediate a advanced suggested reading. In contrast to the molinistic view of simultaneous concurrence, the deterministic view holds that even the. William lane craig discusses calvinism and the problem of evil 04192010 wintery knight 35 comments this is an answer to a question of the week from his reasonable faith web site.
Craig, thank you for all that you do to help us understand the god of the bible in face of the difficult issues we all face. Besides the good content, the sidebar definitions, quotes, pictures, facts, and the talk about it boxes make this a. Sep 07, 2015 since doctor william lane craig is the most prominent living defender of molinism, people often think that he is representing every form of molinism. Dec 05, 2016 later in the same book, as part of his defense of molinism, craig returns to the author of sin objection. Oct 15, 2017 william lane craig is a christian philosopher and leading proponent of molinism, a view of divine sovereignty that seeks to reconcile gods foreordination with human free will. William lane craigs multipart series doctrine of god taught in his sunday school class defenders at. Scripture, reason, and all that god has ordered by max andrews this book of max andrews is the first in a twopart work. By definition, the ability or power to choose or to refrain from choosing is what is called libertarian freedom. Universal, divine determinism makes god the author of sin and denies human responsibility. William lane craig expertly addresses issues concerning fatalism, free will and predestination, and how the model of gods omniscience furnished by molinism reconciles free will and full blown divine sovereignty. Todays highestprofile defenders of molinism are william lane craig and alvin plantinga.
William lane craig discusses calvinism and the problem of evil 04192010 wintery knight 35 comments this is an answer to a question. The thrust of the charge is that augustinianism, on account of its commitment to divine determinism, makes god the author of sin in a way that molinism which rejects divine. William lane craig born august 23, 1949 is an american analytic philosopher and christian theologian, historian, apologist, and author. There was only one of those few that i felt he unequivocally won. Jun 08, 20 this book is an academic title that is not written with the layperson in mind. This view depends upon not only the kind of knowledge god has, but also upon when he has it. In an effort to help our readers better understand the issues at stake, we have invited dr.
Unfortunately, molinism for dummies does not yet exist. Campbell cited william lane craig, a leading proponent of molinism, as admitting that molinism entails that gods knowledge, at least, is in some sense dependent upon creaturely choices. This article surveys the essay provided by william lane craig defending his position called the middleknowledge view, also known as molinism. Craig has authored or edited over 40 books, including the cosmological argument from plato to leibniz, theism, atheism, and big bang cosmology, god, time, and eternity, and reasonable faith. Reasonable faith features the work of philosopher and theologian dr. The view affirms a strong notion of gods control of events in the world, alongside an equally firm view of human freedom. A blog post by our research professor in philosophy, dr. Im currently participating in a fourviews book on divine providence along with a pair of reformed theologians. A molinist approach to clarify the misunderstandings and misrepresentations by explaining the details of molinism and biblically and philosophically defending the view. Here are some excellent comments on romans 9 from dr. In theology, he has also defended molinism and the belief that god is, since creation, temporal. Society of evangelical arminians william lane craig on.
William lane craig born august 23, 1949 is an american analytic philosopher and christian theologian, historian, and apologist. Molinism holds that gods knowledge consists of three logical moments. The primary distinctive of molinism is the affirmation that god has middle knowledge scientia media. Kenneth keathley has written salvation and sovereignty.
For it would serve to explain not only gods knowledge of the future, but divine providence and predestination as well. Jan 02, 2020 todays highestprofile defenders of molinism are william lane craig and alvin plantinga. It is rather technical and it does not serve as a good introduction to molinism for an introduction, see kenneth keathleys salvation and sovereignty. If you are interested in molinism, start with craig s book. Nov 10, 2014 william lane craig calls molinism one of the most fruitful theological ideas ever conceived. He holds faculty positions at talbot school of theology biola university and houston baptist university.
First, i dont claim that universal salvation is impossible because of free will. William lane craig is a christian philosopher and leading proponent of molinism, a view of divine sovereignty that seeks to reconcile gods foreordination with human free will. For anyone wanting a better grasp of molinism this book is a must have. For example, william lane craig raises this complaint in his contribution to the book four views on divine providence.
The doctrine at the center of this controversy is called middle knowledge also known as molinism. It draws on some recent comments by william lane craig, arguably the leading evangelical defender of molinism, in response to a readers question bold added first, i dont claim that universal salvation is impossible because of free will. He has authored or edited over thirty books and is the founder of reasonablefaith. If you are still not sure what molinism is, we have lots of resources at some writings, some podcasts. It investigates how the work of the scholars interpret.
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