Just finished listening to yesterdays broadcast of ‘Unbelieveable‘ hosted by Justin Brierly. This latest programme is a debate over Molinism between William Lane Craig (Molinist) and Paul Helm representing Calvinism. The debate as I understand it is an attempt at reconciling The Sovereignty of God and the Responsibility of Man. This is achieved for Craig through what is called ‘Middle Knowledge’. To be honest I don’t think I have fully grasped this concept but some of the things that William Lane Craig said towards the end of the debate convinced me that it is a false view and actually is not necessary.

Craig is a regular guest one way or an other on ‘Unbelieveable’ and I felt was the more media savvy. Not only that, I also sensed an affinity with this view by Justin (though I may be wrong), consequently Craig I thought had the majority of the time (haven’t the wherewithal to go through it with a stopwatch).

After a brief discussion of possible worlds, here’s the direct relevant word for word quote from the broadcast:

Justin: There may not be a world where everyone would choose freely?
Craig: Exactly. So I do say, I do affirm that, and I think you get great theological mileage out of it.
Justin: As far as you’re concerned, God is more concerned with the human freedom than in a world in which everyone is saved. That would be the choice, as it were, God is making.
Craig: Yes. Yes, I suppose that is right. He (God) would not exercise a sort of divine coercion in order to save people. He will respect people’s wills and say “I’m not going to make you go to heaven if you choose to reject me and my grace and my love for you. I will allow you to do so.”
Justin: OK. So, but as far as you are concerned this doesn’t, I mean, I think Paul’s concern is that by there being worlds which are not feasible for God to choose that somehow undermines God’s sovereignty because then it’s suggesting God…
Helm: Well it weakens, it weakens. The emphasis is now not on God’s choosing me because He wanted me to be His child, eternally and unconditionally and by His grace. But He’s chosen a world…

I’ll leave it at that. But the point of concern with this view of Craig’s is about respecting people’s wills. The problem is we have rebellious God-rejecting wills. No matter how many possible worlds there might be sinners will not choose God. By nature we want to be autonomous rulers of our own domain. We have and will reject God and His Kingly rule. We are ‘dead in trespasses and sins’ and without God choosing us we would not choose Him.

Another problem follows on from this. That is, the Apologetic methodology of Craig – despite him saying a lot of good things I might add. The will of man can be turned, coerced or influenced. This is deadly. Our Salvation must rest in God alone and not in the persuasive power of the apologist – whomever they may be. I’m sure people are converted under a Molinist ministry, but this is because God is gracious not because the preacher has amazing powers of persuasion. Molinism, no matter the strong view of Sovereignty held by Craig must wrongly grant too much to the sinner. God is sovereign over our wills – thank God for that wonderful truth!

To be sure, the Apostle Paul ‘knowing the terrors of the Lord persuades men’ but this is not to coerce the will but is the divine manner by which God calls the elect to Himself. There is a difference between respecting people’s wills and respecting people because they are made in the ‘Image of God’.

I’m already a convinced Calvinist and knew nothing of Molinism but from what I’ve heard believe it falls way short of the divine will.

As far as The Sovereignty of God and the Responsibility of man goes: I believe Spurgeon quipped, ‘ you don’t need to reconcile friends’. Molinisn is unnecessary and takes away from the Glory of God

When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o’er life’s finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe.

When I hear the wicked call,
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink
On the fiery deluge brink,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe.

When the praise of Heav’n I hear,
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters’ noise,
Sweet as harp’s melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Savior’s side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

Robert Murray McCheyne
1813-1843