Middle Knowledge: Human Freedom in Divine Sovereignty

Description

Cover Page Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Introduction The Doctrine of Providence The Models of Providence Process Theology Open Theism Calvinism Theological Fatalism Middle Knowledge Assumptions The Nature of God Divine Omnipotence Divine Omniscience Divine omniscience and propositional knowledge Logical order of divine thoughts The Nature of Human Freedom The Nature of Divine Freedom Conclusion Chapter 1: The Doctrine of Middle Knowledge Introduction Middle Knowledge or Scientia Media Counterfactuals Possible Worlds Semantics Actualization of Worlds Feasibility of Possible Worlds, Creaturely World-Types, and GalaxiesComparative Similarity among Possible Worlds Conclusion Chapter 2: The Grounding Objection Introduction Conditional Excluded Middle Counterexamples to CEM Molinist Responses Counterfactuals and Determinism Counterfactuals, Determinism, and Risk Molinist Responses Counterfactuals, Determinism, and Individual Power Molinist Responses Counterfactuals, facts, and relative similarity among worlds Rejection of the power entailment principle Counterfactuals, Determinism, and the Causal History of the World Molinist ResponsesGrounding The No-Grounds Objection Grounding and God Grounding and the individual Molinist Responses No need for grounding Hidden assumptions Antirealism, the future, and divine foreknowledge Other-worldly occurrence Grounding and the mind of God Conclusion Chapter 3: The Circularity Objection Introduction Counterfactuals of Freedom, Truth, and Similarity among Worlds Vicious Circle Argument Molinist Responses Possible worlds semantics Logical/wording flaws Clarification of possible worlds analysis Explanatory Priority, Circularity, and Determinism Molinist ResponsesConclusion Chapter 4: Divine Foreknowledge and Creaturely Free Will Introduction Divine Timelessness Traditional Models Criticisms of the traditional view Contemporary Models Stump and Kretzmann Criticisms and Stump and Kretzmann Leftow Criticisms of Leftow Ockhamism Ockham's Answer Contemporary Formulations Hard/soft facts Accidental necessity Problems with Ockhamism Arbitrary distinction Power over the past Molinism Conclusion Chapter 5: Predestination and Salvation Introduction Atonement Release from Evil Powers/Ransom to Satan Satisfaction Moral InfluencePenal Substitution Example Governmental Assessment Soteriology Human Depravity Sovereign Election Excursis on reprobation Basis for election Effective Grace Regeneration and Faith Assurance of Salvation and Perseverance of the Saints Discipleship, Spiritual Growth, and Spiritual Gifts Conclusion Chapter 6: Middle Knowledge and the Problem of Evil Introduction The Problem of Evil Logical Problem of Evil Molinism and the Free Will Defense/Free Will Theodicy Probabilistic Problems of Evil Quantitative Argument Argument from Gratuitous Evil Skeptical Theism