Molinist Philosophical and Theological Ventures

by Kirk R. MacGregor

Overview

This volume represents a significant advance of the philosophical and theological conversation surrounding Molinism. It opens by arguing that Molinism constitutes the best explanation of the scriptural data on divine sovereignty, human freedom, predestination, grace, and God's salvific will. The alleged biblical prooftexts for open theism are better explained, according to Kirk MacGregor, by Molinism. Responding to philosophical critics of Molinism, MacGregor offers a novel solution to the well-known grounding objection and a robust critique of arguments from explanatory priority. He also presents a Molinist interpretation of branching time models as heuristic illustrations of the relationship between possibility and feasibility. Seeking to push Molinism into new territories, MacGregor furnishes a Molinist account of sacred music, according to which music plays a powerful apologetic function. Finally, regarding the nature of hell, MacGregor contends that Molinism is compatible with both eternalism and eventual universalism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781666721614
Publisher:	Pickwick Publications
Publication date:	10/04/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	174
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Kirk R. MacGregor is associate professor of philosophy and religion and department chair at McPherson College. He is the author of Luis de Molina: The Life and Theology of the Founder of Middle Knowledge (2015) and A Molinist-Anabaptist Systematic Theology (2007), and he is co-editor of Calvinism and Middle Knowledge: A Conversation (2019).

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“MacGregor’s aims for this book are high: to demonstrate that Molinism is grounded in Scripture, to offer rebuttals to its critics, and to broaden its scope. In standard MacGregor fashion, utilizing the tools of philosophy and theology, he brilliantly achieves his aims. . . . Anyone interested in learning more about the workings of God in the world would benefit from this book!”

—Chad Meister, Bethel University



“MacGregor, a leading advocate for Molinism, provides a biblical-philosophical defense of the perspective. He argues that Molinism provides the best explanation of the biblical data for difficult topics such as divine sovereignty, human freedom, predestination, and God’s universal salvific will. . . . Even readers not persuaded to affirm Molinism must grapple with the strong case MacGregor has constructed in his book.”

—Adam Harwood, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary



“Is Molinism biblical? Scripture does not explicitly present God’s knowledge of creaturely freedom as residing logically in a middle category between his natural knowledge and his free knowledge. Nothing so thorough can be found. But the Bible does affirm various truths, principles, and concepts that, when put together, fit very well in the Molinist system. MacGregor demonstrates that yes, Molinism is indeed very biblical.”

—Kenneth Keathley, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary



“MacGregor elevates theological and philosophical discourse to the level of an art form. In an elegant synthesis of intellect and inspiration, this book presents a collection of eight essays addressing key issues central to Molinist studies. Whether you are a Molinist scholar or a connoisseur of inspired theological arguments, you will find these essays to be masterpieces worthy of hanging in the art gallery of your soul.”

—John K. Simmons, Western Illinois University, emeritus



“MacGregor has something important to say, and he does so with his customary aplomb in eight scholarly essays. First, he shows convincingly that Luis de Molina’s reconciliation of divine sovereignty with human liberty emerges from the sacred text rather than being imposed upon it. He then dismantles several related arguments from Molina critics and creatively extends Molinism to aesthetic philosophy. This is an innovative must-read for all systematic theologians and Reformation historians.”

—Romwald Maczka, Carthage College, emeritus

Editorial Reviews

MacGregor’s aims for this book are high: to demonstrate that Molinism is grounded in Scripture, to offer rebuttals to its critics, and to broaden its scope. In standard MacGregor fashion, utilizing the tools of philosophy and theology, he brilliantly achieves his aims. . . . Anyone interested in learning more about the workings of God in the world would benefit from this book!”

—Chad Meister, Bethel University



“MacGregor, a leading advocate for Molinism, provides a biblical-philosophical defense of the perspective. He argues that Molinism provides the best explanation of the biblical data for difficult topics such as divine sovereignty, human freedom, predestination, and God’s universal salvific will. . . . Even readers not persuaded to affirm Molinism must grapple with the strong case MacGregor has constructed in his book.”

—Adam Harwood, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary



“Is Molinism biblical? Scripture does not explicitly present God’s knowledge of creaturely freedom as residing logically in a middle category between his natural knowledge and his free knowledge. Nothing so thorough can be found. But the Bible does affirm various truths, principles, and concepts that, when put together, fit very well in the Molinist system. MacGregor demonstrates that yes, Molinism is indeed very biblical.”

—Kenneth Keathley, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary



“MacGregor elevates theological and philosophical discourse to the level of an art form. In an elegant synthesis of intellect and inspiration, this book presents a collection of eight essays addressing key issues central to Molinist studies. Whether you are a Molinist scholar or a connoisseur of inspired theological arguments, you will find these essays to be masterpieces worthy of hanging in the art gallery of your soul.”

—John K. Simmons, Western Illinois University, emeritus



“MacGregor has something important to say, and he does so with his customary aplomb in eight scholarly essays. First, he shows convincingly that Luis de Molina’s reconciliation of divine sovereignty with human liberty emerges from the sacred text rather than being imposed upon it. He then dismantles several related arguments from Molina critics and creatively extends Molinism to aesthetic philosophy. This is an innovative must-read for all systematic theologians and Reformation historians.”

—Romwald Maczka, Carthage College, emeritus

From the Publisher