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How Does Theology of Molinism Figure into Concept Election/predestination?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by DaChaser1, Jan 30, 2012.

  1. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    As it states that Molinists hold that in addition to knowing everything that does or will happen, God also knows what His creature would freely choose if placed in any circumstance?
     
  2. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    According to Closed Theism, aka Hyper Calvinism, God ordained whatsoever comes to pass. This view eliminates the possiblity that God created beings with the capacity to make autonomous choices, because God predestined each and every choice, making God the author of sin.

    Now if God did not predestine everything, then his creatures might be able to make some choices where the outcome is not predestined, i.e. actual choices rather than non-choice where they "choose" the only outcome possible.

    Viewed in this light, all Arminians and many Calvinists who denie God is the author of sin are Open Theists to a limited degree.

    If folks would have witnessed my miracles, they would have repented (paraphase of Matthew 11:23) teaches that God knows what past or existing people would do given a circumstance that may or may not have occurred in the past or may or may not occur in the future.
     
  3. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I think as necessary part of this discussion is the counter factuals of freedom. Specifically how it relates to the nature of God's knowledge...I'm speaking epistemically here.
     
  4. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Interesting read, I agreed with much but certainly not all of the assertions.

    This assertion runs counter to scripture: Election, then, is first and foremost a corporate notion: God has chosen for Himself a people, a corporate entity, and it is up to us by our response of faith whether or not we choose to be members of that corporate group destined to salvation.

    The issue is do we put ourselves into (and perhaps out of) God's corporately chosen group, or does God credit our faith as righteousness and then God puts us into the chosen group? Verses like 1 Cor. 1:30 seem to say God puts individuals into the group.
     
    #5 Van, Jan 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 30, 2012
  5. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    faith "merely" allows us to acces the Grace of the Cross, its up to God to actually place us into the Body by His divine Election beforehand!
     
  6. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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  7. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    :tear::tear::BangHead:
     
  8. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Yet another word meaning rewrite

    Grace is the bestowal of divine favor. Therefore election for salvation is an act of grace. Therefore our faith provides our access to the grace of election. QED
     
  9. Benjamin

    Benjamin Well-Known Member
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    I think he’s been determined to pronounce anything in error that goes against the declarations of the “holy confession”. Reasoning has no place in such a mindset. I wouldn’t begin to think I should try to get him to engage in rational discussion in such a deep subject.

    Nice article by the way. :thumbs:
     
  10. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    what did you think?
     
  11. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    Well okay...lets show why...one more time: from the article;



    if man can do it by himself ...he does not need to be saved...he justs needs a little bit more information.....he can pick and choose whatever he wants to do or not do....Jesus can pay for sin in general.....but man can decide if he feels like .....TRYING Jesus.....
     
    #12 Iconoclast, Jan 31, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2012
  12. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    Molinism seems a lot like the theology that was outlined in my Assemblies of God days at their school, in the book Elect in the Son, by robert Shanks!
     
  13. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Shanks must have been a pretty smart guy. :)
     
  14. DaChaser1

    DaChaser1 New Member

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    Smart, but totally misunderstood the concept of divine Election!
     
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