Can Arminians Be Molinists? (Part 2)
Robert E. Picirilli (This is the second part of a two-part article) In Part I, I have defined Molinism and evaluated its view more basically. I have other criticisms of Keathley’s position, some of which might not be shared by all Molinists but all of which seem likely…
Can Arminians Be Molinists? (Part 1)
Robert E. Picirilli (This is the first of two guest-authored posts) I hear that some Arminians incline toward a Molinist view of God’s sovereignty and human freedom. Perhaps the reason is, Molinists say their purpose is to uphold libertarian freedom[1] in a universe governed by a sovereign God,…
Theology in a Time of Pandemic
W. Jackson Watts Theology never arises in a vacuum. It always has a context, a set of circumstances shaping its development and reception. Augustine’s City of God was a response to pagan claims that the barbarian incursions into Rome were a consequence of Christian emperors abolishing pagan worship.…
Augustine, Arminius, and R.C. Sproul on Christian Perfection
Matthew Pinson Sometimes Arminius has been (inaccurately) interpreted as laying the groundwork for a doctrine of Christian perfection. With regard to perfectionism, Arminius said in his Declaration of Sentiments that he “never actually stated that a believer could perfectly keep the precepts of Christ in this life.” Nor…
Early Christian Views on Creation: Part 2
Kevin Hester (Part 1 of this two-part article appeared last Tuesday). In my last post (or part 1) we examined the philosophical background of the early church that influenced the way in which they examined biblical references to creation. Their responses to Atomism (Naturalism) and Neo-platonism demonstrated how…