Calvinism and Middle Knowledge: A Conversation

by John D. Laing (Editor), Kirk R. MacGregor (Editor), Greg Welty (Editor)

Calvinism and Middle Knowledge is an anthology of essays that moves the discussion of Molinism/middle knowledge out of the philosophical arena, where it has almost exclusively remained, and into the broader theological community. In particular, it sparks a conversation between Calvinists and Molinists regarding the fruitfulness or deficiencies of middle knowledge and the feasibility or infeasibility of Calvinist use of middle knowledge without acceptance of libertarian human freedom. To this end, nine distinguished experts address such topics as the history of the doctrine of middle knowledge, the potential role of Molinism in discussions of evolution and intelligent design, Calvinist concerns with Molinism, and Calvinist appropriation of middle knowledge. This book empowers theologians, historians, biblical scholars, and pastors to join the ongoing conversation and to judge for themselves what explanatory role middle knowledge may or may not play in accounts of providence and practical theology. ""The significance of this book goes beyond what one might infer from its title. Brilliant in content, readable in style, and gracious in tone, this edited volume even-handedly examines the philosophical vitality and the theological possibilities and concerns of middle knowledge when brought into conversation with other important theological issues. Well done."" --Bruce A. Little, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary ""The essays contained in this volume are both creative and thought-provoking.Calvinism and Middle Knowledgeoffers a fresh perspective on the utility of middle knowledge and whether Calvinists can rightfully make use of it.Laing, MacGregor, and Welty have done a fine job. This is a must have for those interested in the foreknowledge debate."" --TylerDaltonMcNabb, Houston Baptist University John D. Laing is Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Havard School for Theological Studies, Houston, Texas. Kirk R. MacGregor is Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas. Greg Welty is Professor of Philosophy at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina.

310 pages, Hardcover

Published February 20, 2019

Reviews

[David Bruyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly technical discussion between theologian-philosophers on libertarian vs compatibilistic freedom, and how it relates to Calvinist vs Molinist view of foreknowledge. Takeaway: if you are a soft determinist compatibilist, then what Molinism provides (middle knowledge) is mostly redundant: it can be a form of God's natural knowledge. If you hold to some form of libertarian free will, then Molinism offers a viable option to explain how God knows the future.

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Molinism a bit more than a decade ago. I was immediately smitten. I had often struggled with the Bible's tension between God's complete control and creaturely culpability. I found both classical Calvinism and Arminianism fell short, each doing great in their own areas but reducing the other side of the question to affectation. Then Molina exploded onto my scene, with his game-changing ideas about middle knowledge and possible worlds. Suddenly I could make sense of the Biblical insistence that God is sovereign but we are indeed free and responsible.

Molinism has grown in popularity in these last years, but in my experience too few people have understood it well enough to offer meaningful push back (I've never been impressed with the grounding objection). Well, this book bucks that trend. This is the most I've thought through the challenges to Molinism maybe ever. I very much enjoyed Calvinism and Middle Knowledge.