Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism, Second Edition

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.

Timothy A. Stratton is a professor at Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary. As a former youth pastor, he is devoted to answering questions he first encountered from inquisitive teens in his church. Stratton is the founder of FreeThinkingMinistries.com, a web-based apologetics ministry providing supplementary materials to this edition of Mere Molinism. Stratton speaks on church and college campuses around the country and offers regular videos on FreeThinking Ministries' YouTube channel.


J. P. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and Director of the Center for Christian Worldview and Spiritual Formation. He has authored, edited, or contributed papers to 30 books with publishers ranging from Oxford University Press, Routledge, Wadsworth, and Prometheus to InterVarsity and Zondervan. Among his books are Christianity and the Nature of Science, Does God Exist? (with Kai Nielsen), The Creation Hypothesis, and Philosophical Naturalism: A Critical Analysis and Body and Soul. He has also published over 30 magazine articles in such publications as Christianity Today and Christian Research Journal, and over 60 journal articles in venues such as Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, American Philosophical Quarterly, Australian Journal of Philosophy, MetaPhilosophy, Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, Southern Journal of Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Faith and Philosophy.