A Molinist-Anabaptist Systematic Theology

A Molinist-Anabaptist Systematic Theology
Author: Kirk R. MacGregor
Publisher:
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2007
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

As the first systematic theology of its kind, the ecumenical construction synthesizes the strengths of what are typically considered two disparate branches of Christianity, namely, Roman Catholicism and Anabaptism. Focusing on the celebrated Jesuit neo-Scholastic theologian Luis de Molina (1535-1600) and the evangelical peace communities from the early modern period onward, this system integrates the best in Catholic philosophical theology with the best historical implementations of the Free Church ecclesiological tradition. In doing so, this progressive doctrinal edifice furnishes provocative new answers to perennial quandaries. Included in this discussion are the polarity between sovereign predestination and libertarian freedom, the interaction between omniscience and God's "changing his mind," and the existence of gratuitous evil. This system breaks ground in the realm of practical theology by proposing an antithetical relationship between church discipline and the sacraments. While avoiding the either-or debate between egalitarianism and complementarianism, this theology demonstrates exegetically that women should not be restricted from holding any leadership position within the church. Drawing together these dialectical and Scriptural threads, this book advocates a social ethic that exhorts Christians to display extreme reluctance on matters of war, and to exercise discernment toward political agendas by measuring them against the Sermon on the Mount.

Contemporary Theology: An Introduction, Revised Edition

Contemporary Theology: An Introduction, Revised Edition
Author: Kirk R. MacGregor
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Total Pages: 412
Release: 2020-07-28
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310113733

Accessible and comprehensive, Contemporary Theology: An Introduction by professor and author Kirk R. MacGregor provides a chronological survey of the major thinkers and schools of thought in modern theology in a manner that is both approachable and intriguing. Unique among introductions to contemporary theology, MacGregor includes: Evangelical perspectives alongside mainline and liberal developments The influence of philosophy and the recent Christian philosophical renaissance on theology Global contributions Recent developments in exegetical theology The implications of theological shifts on ethics and church life Contemporary Theology: An Introduction is noteworthy for making complex thought understandable and for tracing the landscape of modern theology in a well-organized and easy-to-follow manner.

Beyond Dordt and De Auxiliis

Beyond Dordt and De Auxiliis
Author: Jordan Ballor
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2019-09-02
Genre: History
ISBN: 9004409300

Beyond Dordt and ‘De Auxiliis’ explores post-Reformation inter-confessional theological exchange on soteriological topics including predestination, grace, and free choice. These doctrines remained controversial within confessional traditions after the Reformation, as Dominicans and Jesuits and later Calvinists and Arminians argued about these critical issues in the Augustinian theological heritage. Some of those involved in condemning Arminianism at the Synod of Dordt (1618-1619) were inspired by Dominican followers of Thomas Aquinas in Spain who had recently opposed the vigorous defense of free choice by Jesuit Molinists in the Congregatio de auxiliis (1598-1607). This volume, appearing on the 400th anniversary of the closing of the Synod of Dordt, brings together a group of scholars working in fields that only rarely speak to one another to address these theological debates that cross geographical and confessional boundaries.

Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism

Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism
Author: Timothy A. Stratton
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 328
Release: 2020-10-02
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1725276119

Does humanity possess the freedom to think and act, or are we always caused and determined to think and act—exactly how we think and act—by things outside of our control? If we are always causally determined to think and act by things outside of our control, then how can humans be genuinely responsible for any of our thoughts or following actions? However, if humanity is genuinely free and responsible for at least some of our thoughts and actions, then how can the Christian rationally affirm the doctrine that God is totally sovereign and predestines all things? In Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism, Timothy A. Stratton surveys the history of theological thought from Augustine to Edwards and reaches surprising historical conclusions supporting what he refers to as “limited libertarian freedom.” Stratton goes further to offer multiple arguments appealing to Scripture, theology, and philosophy that each conclude humanity does, in fact, possess libertarian freedom. He then appeals to the work of Luis de Molina and offers unique arguments concluding that God possesses middle knowledge. If this is the case, then God can be completely sovereign and predestine all things without violating human freedom and responsibility.

Molinist Philosophical and Theological Ventures

Molinist Philosophical and Theological Ventures
Author: Kirk R. MacGregor
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 175
Release: 2022-10-04
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1666730300

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.

Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism Study Guide

Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism Study Guide
Author: Timothy A. Stratton
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 92
Release: 2021-12-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 166671786X

This study guide will help everyone from laypersons to theology students navigate Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism, by Timothy A. Stratton. Timothy Fox walks readers through each chapter, identifying key terms and asking pertinent questions. Stratton adds multiple “Going Deeper” sections to clarify and expand his case. This companion is a vital resource for the aspiring theologian.

Salvation and Sovereignty

Salvation and Sovereignty
Author: Kenneth Keathley
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Total Pages: 248
Release: 2010-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433669633

In Salvation and Sovereignty, Kenneth Keathley asks, “What shall a Christian do who is convinced of certain central tenets of Calvinism but not its corollaries?” He then writes, “I see salvation as a sovereign work of grace but suspect that the usual Calvinist understanding of sovereignty (that God is the cause of all things) is not sustained by the biblical witness as a whole.” Aiming to resolve this matter, the author argues that just three of Calvinism’s five TULIP points can be defended scripturally and instead builds on the ROSES acronym first presented by Timothy George (Radical depravity, Overcoming grace, Sovereign election, Eternal life, Singular redemption). In relation, Keathley looks at salvation and sovereignty through the lens of Molinism, a doctrine named after Luis Molina (1535-1600) that is based on a strong notion of God’s control and an equally firm affirmation of human freedom.

A Historical and Theological Investigation of John's Gospel

A Historical and Theological Investigation of John's Gospel
Author: Kirk R. MacGregor
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 238
Release: 2020-08-24
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 3030534014

This book provides original and controversial contributions into specific areas of Johannine studies, along with defenses of various traditional theological interpretations of John that are commonly overlooked in New Testament scholarship. Kirk R. MacGregor offers new insights into the authorship of the Fourth Gospel, the content of the underlying Signs Source, the meaning of the phrases “believe in him” and “believe in his name,” Jesus’ claim that Abraham saw his day, the significance of John 14.6, and why the resurrected Jesus upbraided Thomas. MacGregor employs the doctrine of middle knowledge to reconcile the seemingly paradoxical Johannine claims of divine predestination, genuine human freedom, and the universal divine salvific will. He defends the ontological equality but functional subordination of the Johannine Jesus to God the Father as well as the deity and personality of the Holy Spirit as presented by the Gospel of John.

Luis de Molina

Luis de Molina
Author: Kirk R. MacGregor
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2015-11-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310516986

When Luis de Molina died in Madrid in 1600, he had every reason to believe he was about to be anathametized by Pope Clement VIII. The Protestant Reformation was splitting Europe, tribunals of the Inquisition met regularly in a dozen Spanish cities, and the Pope had launched a commission two years earlier to investigate Molina’s writings. Molina was eventually vindicated, though the decision came seven years after his death. In the centuries that followed Molina was relegated to relatively minor status in the history of theology until a renaissance of interest in recent years. His doctrine of God’s “middle knowledge,” in particular, has been appropriated by a number of current philosophers and theologians, with apologist William Lane Craig calling it “one of the most fruitful theological ideas ever conceived.” In Luis de Molina: The Life and Theology of the Founder of Middle Knowledge, author Kirk R. MacGregor outlines the main contours of Molina’s subtle and far-reaching philosophical theology, covering his views on God’s foreknowledge, salvation and predestination, poverty and obedience, and social justice. Drawing on writings of Molina never translated into English, MacGregor also provides insight into the experiences that shaped Molina, recounting the events of a life fully as dramatic as any of the Protestant Reformers. With implications for topics as wide-ranging as biblical inerrancy, creation and evolution, the relationship between Christianity and world religions, the problem of evil, and quantum indeterminacy, Molina’s thought remains as fresh and relevant as ever. Most significantly, perhaps, it continues to offer the possibility of a rapprochement between Calvinism and Arminianism, a view of salvation that fully upholds both God’s predestination and human free will. As the first full-length work ever published on Molina, Kirk MacGregor’s Luis de Molina provides an accessible and insightful introduction for scholars, students, and armchair theologians alike.