Often thoughts are best clarified in the comment threads that come once discussion ensues on a post. So often, rather than posting about another’s post, I will point people to comments that are made in the thread of that post. This is because often, 1) the authors point of view becomes more clear in the comment section than in the post, and 2) the dialogue that takes place once others have a chance to cross examine what is said are often more interesting than the post itself.
Having said all that … Gerald Hiestand recently wrote two posts about the position of Determinism. It’s an excellent post series. Gerald makes a biblical case for determinism as he understands it to have been held by Augustine, Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, and others. I found the best summary of his position in the comment section:
Actually, the way that I am using the term “determinism” is consistent with its use by classical determinists (Augustine, Edwards, Calvin, Luther, Aquinas–all of whom I’ve read) and with how contemporary theologians use the term. Determinism is simply the belief that everything (everything) that happens does so in accordance with God’s pre-ordained plan. Determinists might differ slightly as to how God actualizes his pre-ordained plan, but what makes determinism determinism is the belief that God has a pre-ordained purpose for everything that happens, and that there are no random events. I don’t know of any determinist (classic or contemporary) who denies freewill (”freewill” being defined as the ability to make a free moral choice, and that we are responsible for our actions).
———————————HT: Straight Up————————————
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