Middle Knowledge: Human Freedom in Divine Sovereignty

by John D. Laing

Overview

Most Christians believe God is in control, but they are unsure of how to reconcile that control with their struggles with sin, the command to evangelize, and the immense suffering in the world and their own lives.

Laing offers an introduction to the doctrine of providence based on the theory of middle knowledge, first articulated in the sixteenth century. This view describes how creatures have true free will and God has perfect knowledge of what each creature could and would do in any circumstance. Middle knowledge helps answer the most perplexing theological questions: predestination and salvation, the existence of evil, divine and human authorship of Scripture, and science and the Christian faith. Laing provides extensive biblical support as well as practical applications for this theology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825476464
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	04/24/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

John D. Laing is professor of systematic theology and philosophy at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the author of many articles and books, including In Jesus' Name: Evangelicals and Military Chaplaincy.

Table of Contents

Introduction 13

The Doctrine of Providence 13

The Models of Providence 14

Process Theology 14

Open Theism 18

Calvinism 27

Theological Fatalism 30

Middle Knowledge 34

Assumptions 35

The Nature of God 35

Divine Omnipotence 36

Divine Omniscience 39

Divine omniscience and propositional knowledge 39

Logical order of divine thoughts 40

The Nature of Human Freedom 41

The Nature of Divine Freedom 44

Conclusion 45

Chapter 1 The Doctrine of Middle Knowledge 47

Introduction 47

Middle Knowledge or Scientia Media 47

Counterfactuals 50

Possible Worlds Semantics 53

Actualization of Worlds 55

Feasibility of Possible Worlds, Creaturely World-Types, and Galaxies 58

Comparative Similarity among Possible Worlds 61

Conclusion 64

Chapter 2 The Grounding Objection 65

Introduction 65

Conditional Excluded Middle 65

Counterexamples to CEM 66

Molinist Responses 67

Counterfactuals and Determinism 69

Counterfactuals, Determinism, and Risk 69

Molinist Responses 70

Counterfactuals, Determinism, and Individual Power 71

Molinist Responses 74

Counterfactuals, facts, and relative similarity among worlds 74

Rejection of the power entailment principle 78

Counterfactuals, Determinism, and the Causal History of the World 81

Molinist Responses 83

Grounding 85

The No-Grounds Objection 85

Grounding and God 85

Grounding and the individual 85

Molinist Responses 87

No need for grounding 87

Hidden assumptions 91

Antirealism, the future, and divine foreknowledge 93

Other-worldly occurrence 97

Grounding and the mind of God 100

Conclusion 100

Chapter 3 The Circularity Objection 103

Introduction 103

Counterfactuals of Freedom, Truth, and Similarity among Worlds 103

Vicious Circle Argument 103

Molinist Responses 107

Possible worlds semantics 107

Logical/wording flaws 108

Clarification of possible worlds analysis 108

Explanatory Priority, Circularity, and Determinism 110

Molinist Responses 114

Conclusion 118

Chapter 4 Divine Foreknowledge and Creaturely Free Will 121

Introduction 121

Divine Timelessness 124

Traditional Models 125

Criticisms of the traditional view 127

Contemporary Models 130

Stump and Kretzmann 130

Criticisms and Stump and Kretzmann 133

Leftow 135

Criticisms of Leftow 137

Ocklaamism 137

Ockham's Answer 138

Contemporary Formulations 139

Hard/soft facts 139

Accidental necessity 142

Problems with Ockhamism 146

Arbitrary distinction 146

Power over the past 151

Molinism 154

Conclusion 156

Chapter 5 Predestination and Salvation 159

Introduction 159

Atonement 159

Release from Evil Powers/Ransom to Satan 159

Satisfaction 160

Moral Influence 161

Penal Substitution 162

Example 164

Governmental 165

Assessment 167

Soteriology 169

Human Depravity 170

Sovereign Election 171

Excursis on reprobation 171

Basis for election 174

Effective Grace 176

Regeneration and Faith 178

Assurance of Salvation and Perseverance of the Saints 183

Discipleship, Spiritual Growth, and Spiritual Gifts 186

Conclusion 189

Chapter 6 Middle Knowledge and the Problem of Evil 191

Introduction 191

The Problem of Evil 191

Logical Problem of Evil 193

Molinism and the Free Will Defense/Free Will Theodicy 195

Probabilistic Problems of Evil 202

Quantitative Argument 202

Argument from Gratuitous Evil 205

Skeptical Theism 208

Contra skeptical theism 209

Christianity/Theism and Gratuitous Evil 215

Molinism and gratuitous evil 218

Hasker on Molinism and Evil 220

Molinist Response 221

Conclusion 223

Holocaust 227

Pastoral Implications 231

Chapter 7 Inerrancy and Inspiration 233

Introduction 233

Doctrine of Revelation 233

Doctrine of Biblical Inspiration 235

Doctrine of Biblical Inerrancy 239

Middle Knowledge, Biblical Inerrancy, and the Problem of Libertarian Freedom 240

Middle Knowledge, Divine Inspiration, and Inscripturation 240

Possible Concerns/Objections 253

Conclusion 254

Chapter 8 Science and Theology 257

Introduction 257

Science and Theology 257

Intelligent Design, Middle Knowledge, and the Problem of Creaturely Flaws 263

Problem of Creaturely Flaws 264

The logical problem of evil 268

The free will defense 269

The Intelligent Mutation Defense 270

Counterfactuals of random genetic mutation 271

Problem of intelligent designer's preference for creaturely adaptability 273

Problem of the intelligence of random mutation 274

Middle Knowledge and Quantum Physics 276

Determinism, Process, Openness, and Randomness at the Quantum Level 277

Molinism, Randomness, and Determinism/Orderliness 279

Conclusion 281

Chapter 9 Molinism: The Biblical Evidence 283

Introduction 283

Objections 283

Contra Open Theism 285

Matthew 11:22-24 285

1 Samuel 23:7-13 287

Wisdom of Solomon 4:10-15 291

Proverbs 24:11-12 292

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 295

John 15 300

Contra Calvinism 302

Ordo Salutis 303

Unconditional Election 304

Use of "To Know" 304

Genesis 18:19 305

2 Samuel 7:19-20 310

Jeremiah 1:5 312

Romans 9 (Moses and Pharaoh; Jacob and Esau) 313

Conclusion 317

Chapter 10 Existentially Satisfying 319

Introduction 319

Unfulfilled Prophecy 320

Efficacy of Petitionary Prayer 322

Molinism, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Prayer 330

Worthy of Worship 331

Ethics, Providence, and End-of-Life Decisions 335

Eschatology 337

Conclusion 338

Bibliography 340

Books 340

Essays and Articles 347

Theses and Dissertations 356

Book Reviews 356

Unpublished Materials 356

Scripture Index 358

Author Index 361

Subject Index 363

Editorial Reviews

Here is a book long overdue. Laing explains the concept of middle knowledge thoroughly and comprehensively, yet at a level that is accessible to students and pastors. I expect that Middle Knowledge: Human Freedom in Divine Sovereignty will become a standard textbook for classes on the subject.

Ken Keathley

John Laing’s Middle Knowledge: Human Freedom in Divine Sovereignty offers an outstanding step-by-step explanation of middle knowledge and the objections to it. In doing so, he unravels the often mysterious language of ‘counterfactuals’ and ‘possible worlds’ in which certain situations are ‘actualized’ and God’s will is somehow mysteriously accomplished. Laing succeeds in explaining all of these terms and many more, in a way that the non-specialist can appreciate, while building a solid case for middle knowledge. He is never in a hurry, willing to explain in detail the terminology of this debate, and carefully delineate each part of the argument. At the same time, one never feels that Laing is belaboring a point or taking too long to explain himself.

"He begins with an essay distinguishing the various options—open theism, middle knowledge, classical theism, etc. Within this essay, he clarifies differences between similar thinkers and similar conceptions of God’s relationship to the future and to free will. In so doing, he sets the ‘tone’ for the entire book, which maintains the same sense of clarity as he examines each aspect of the argument for middle knowledge and each objection. Laing is especially clear when dealing with objections to middle knowledge. Laing explains objections carefully, in ways that may help those who object understand their own view better.

"This is a book that will attract readers of all kinds. Advocates for middle knowledge will be grateful for such a complete and understandable treatment of the position, and especially for the treatment of various shades of objections to it. Advocates for divine omniscience within the framework of traditional theism will welcome the availability of a source that makes the argument understandable for ourselves and for our students. This book will find a ready place in courses on the Doctrine of God and will be an essential reference work on middle knowledge and related subjects for many years to come.

C. Fred Smith

This book is an outstanding introduction to the doctrine of middle knowledge and its applications. To the lay reader, Laing clearly explains unfamiliar concepts like possible worlds and uses a wealth of straightforward examples to illustrate aspects of Molinism that some find confusing. Laing’s biblical case for Molinism effectively silences the Reformed criticism that Molinism is simply a philosophical position superimposed onto the scriptural text. Moreover, Laing carefully defuses the standard philosophical objections to middle knowledge, including the grounding objection and the charge of circularity. Laing unveils to the lay reader the importance of middle knowledge to such issues as predestination, salvation, petitionary prayer, discipleship, spiritual growth, spiritual gifts, and eschatology. Finally, Laing discloses the power of middle knowledge to answer Christians’ perennial questions about evil, inspiration and inerrancy, and modern science. I highly recommend this book to the lay reader and scholar alike.

Kirk R. MacGregor

The relation of human freedom to divine sovereignty is likely the most difficult issue in philosophical theology for a host of reasons. In recent decades, the subject has been thoroughly explored from a variety of angles. Of course, widespread agreement on solutions remains as elusive as ever. Perhaps this is just why John Laing’s new treatment is such a gift. Those desiring to understand the complexities will find much needed help in his wide-ranging analysis. As anyone working in this area knows, staking a position will make some individuals unhappy. Inevitably, those who disagree will wish their views were represented differently. But Laing’s robust defense of Molinism is especially refreshing with its heart for biblical faithfulness coupled with personal sensitivity to the human questions raised. I enthusiastically recommend this volume to everyone with an interest in the subject.

Ted Cabal