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Molinism for Dummies?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by humblethinker, Jun 14, 2012.

  1. humblethinker

    humblethinker Active Member

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    Alrighty folks. I am trying to find a book that presents and defends the Molinist's theological and philosophical view. I am not satisfied with my own understanding of Molinism and I've gained little from the board. So, I have spent some time looking for a book or video that will make the case for Molinism... I'm still looking... I usually have excellent results with my googling (one could say that that's how I make my living)... I'm not saying that there is not one, I'm just saying that I'm having difficulty in finding one that seems to distinctly put forward the case of the view in a complete, concise approach or even a 'Molinism for Dummies' book would be great. I'd much rather read a book based on the recommendation of a fellow boarder. Other views have their recommended books, what is the Molinist's.

    A recommended book and a video would be much appreciated.
     
  2. humblethinker

    humblethinker Active Member

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    I will be leaving on a cruise this weekend for 7 days and look forward to learning about Molinism so hopefully an answer will be offered soon! :)
     
  3. Herald

    Herald New Member

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    Here is a good discussion on the topic: Molinism - Middle Knowledge and Divine Providence

    Go to advance search on that site and type in "Molinism" and you'll find a lot of great discussions on the topic.
     
  4. Benjamin

    Benjamin Well-Known Member
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    In my past studies of the subject I have come across things such as Calvinist who are making arguments against it while thinking it does not represent their beliefs and others that make arguments that it is somewhat supportive of their view. I see Arminians do the same.

    Recently I was appalled at some of the “scholarly” attempts I came across which set out to explain it.

    I literally got headaches trying to keep up with WLC’s arguments that went on and on with formal philosophical presentations of values and deductive arguments where I found I could occasionally throw a monkey wrench into his arguments based on his presuppositions which I felt were not adequately defended or headed in the wrong way, but I also liked much of his reasoning and he got my wheels turning at times.

    Keathley is another favorite that makes some good arguments and uses a ROSES soteriology which is worth looking at but that doesn’t quite do it for me either.

    Reading about Molina’s history, thoughts and arguments and those of some of his followers back in the day has proved to be beneficial, but I often found the directions they are going to be incomplete.

    Then there are also many scholarly Catholic arguments which discuss the use of Molinism and the Jesuits to combat the “heresies of Calvinism” which make some pretty valid and interesting points.

    Molinism is a field of theology that has seen recent revitalization and from I’ve observed of the most recent growth it all over the place on many issues.

    There is a lot yet to be learned of the type of God’s knowledge that He possesses and ways to be developed to explain how that knowledge is presented in the scriptures often seems to be a better approach than trying to pin-point how the mechanics of His divine knowledge works. I believe that is where the base of strength is in beginning to systematically formalize philosophical principles of middle knowledge by which good grounding arguments can be expanded on which will eventually help to better explain the mechanics of how it all works.

    In the meantime, I imagine possibly like yourself, I have thrown out the usefulness of Classical/Closed Theism’s simplistic explanations of God’s knowledge as woefully insufficient. But what I am left with is explanations that are so deep that there seems to be no end to it.

    So concerning your search, I do not believe a precise, in depth, simplistic book which breaks down all the variants on the subject and organizes all the factors has been written yet. But I do believe the theology is based on solid enough principles to insure that it continues growing and drawing interest. Personally, I take bites off all the good stuff I come across and have been spitting out plenty of seeds along the way.
     
    #4 Benjamin, Jun 14, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 14, 2012
  5. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    #5 quantumfaith, Jun 14, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 14, 2012
  6. Cypress

    Cypress New Member

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    HT.....did you look at Middle Knowledge by Eef Dekker? Probably will suffice for a thorough view. Bon voyage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  7. new

    new New Member
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    Take a look at "Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views" (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RB1S84/?tag=baptis04-20)

    One of the Views is Molinism as presented by William Lane Craig.

    The others are:
    • Open Theism (Greg Boyd)
    • Simple Foreknowledge (David Hunt)
    • Augustinian-Calvinist (Paul Helm)
     
  8. humblethinker

    humblethinker Active Member

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    Thanks for reminding me! I have this book and will take it with me.
     
  9. humblethinker

    humblethinker Active Member

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    This looks to be all I could find available with a quick search... a little pricy but I'd pay it.

    I found this funny quote on MK though while looking for it:
    "«God only knows what I'd be without you», sang the Beach Boys in 1966."
     
  10. HeirofSalvation

    HeirofSalvation Well-Known Member
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    I have read The Only Wise God....which Quantum linked to earlier it is an excellent book, and it helps trememdously with an understanding of Molinism...there is also a set of podcasts available on reasonablefaith.org that you could listen to, or you could read his weekly Q&A for an understanding of what it teaches.

    Unfortunately, "Molinism for dummies" does not yet exist. It probably will soon enough, due to its growing popularity. This is the closest thing I know to it, and I like Keathley's work a lot, although I have not read this book yet:

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/0805431985/?tag=baptis04-20
     
  11. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    is it compatible with the concept of God being sovereign though?

    Is it a scharly attempt to preserve the idea that we still have reall free will?
     
  12. Benjamin

    Benjamin Well-Known Member
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    I'd sincerely answer those questions but you'd just ask the same questions again later as if I didn't spend my time adressing them, so I won't even bother. ;)

    Eh, here! Sort through it:

    http://www.baptistboard.com/showpost.php?p=1858933&postcount=48
     
    #12 Benjamin, Jun 15, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 15, 2012
  13. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Read it and you tell me. :)
     
  14. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    thanks! Quite a bit to wade through, isn't it!
     
  15. new

    new New Member
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    HT - Aren't you required to give a book report or something after studying this on your cruise? ;)

    Seriously though, I would be interested in hearing what you discovered in your quest.
     
  16. humblethinker

    humblethinker Active Member

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    Haha, you are correct! I did read it but if I recall WLC seemed to spend all those pages on defending the idea that contingency exists as though the determinist was his biggest opponent... I'm sure there was much more than than... I'll prolly have to review again. Thanks for reminding me... I don't find Molinism very compelling though, which is probably why I did not report back.

    Molinism seems to rely heavy on the principle of bivalence, which while it is good for most problems, I don't believe it adequately accounts for future possibilities. This is a future thread I want to start though...

    Anyway, I'll try to come up with a more direct reply later.
     
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