At the beginning of last summer, I wrote a short blog post describing my summer reading goals. I wanted to explore the concept of Molinism. I can’t say that I am completely finished with my reading goals, but I do think that I have read enough to say that I am fairly comfortable with Molinism. It has been an adventure to say the least, involving much reflection and meditation on the subject. It is an interesting feeling to shift one’s theology. In this case, it is less of a shift and more of a systematizing. I know what a shift feels like. At one point in my life, I championed a strong charismatic approach to Christian life but that is no longer the case today. I have also shifted from a functional Arminian to a 5-point Calvinist to my current position over a number of years. I guess if labels are important then I am a moderate Calvinist who holds to a Molinist explanation to the tension between libertarian freedom and God’s sovereign decrees.
May God be glorified in all and through all.
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January 24, 2011 at 10:58 pm
bossmanham
Welcome to the club!!
January 25, 2011 at 6:58 am
Charley
So now that you’re fairly comfortable with Molinism, how does it change you? Does it make you a better apologist or just give you a better sense of the way things are?
January 25, 2011 at 10:53 am
The Chemist
I wouldn’t say that it makes me a better apologist. I see this more as a way of systematizing Biblical truths that I find inescapable, namely man’s responsibility for his actions and God’s soveriegnty. In other words, Molinism is one way of renconciling God’s sovereign decrees with a libertarian view of man’s will, which I deem necessary for there to be true responsibility. Since leaving 5-point Calvinism 5+ years ago, my views in this area were more or less unstructured.
January 25, 2011 at 10:55 am
The Chemist
Thanks bossmanham!
September 25, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Charley Sanders
I thought of you in this recent forum about the problem of evil. It discusses molinism and a little bit of my perspective of a panentheist God. Check it out and feel free to participate if you get the time: http://www.creationconversations.com/forum/topics/problem-of-evil
October 19, 2011 at 11:56 am
The Chemist
Haven’t been on here in a very long time Charley. Thanks for the link though!