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“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) One of the clearest affirmations of human freedom in Scripture is found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. Here, the apostle addresses a body of already saved believers—not unbelievers in need of regenerat

I count it one of life’s great blessings to call Dr. Owen Anderson a friend. As a well-respected professor of philosophy at Arizona State University, Dr. Anderson is a sharp thinker, a principled man of faith, and someone with whom I agree on nearly every major theological and philosophical issue. In fact, Owen and I have found especially strong common ground when it comes to the intersection of theology and politics. We both believe that sound doctrine should shape how we en

Suffering is a universal part of life—and no one escapes it, though we may try. But despite our best efforts, we all experience suffering in some capacity. Knowing this does not make it easy, however. Whether it comes through disease, death, injury, disaster, or persecution, we all struggle to endure it, which is why we need the support of not only God but also our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need the Church. Yet despite the Church’s long history of persecution and pai

The moral argument for God’s existence has stirred up no small controversy in recent decades. From William Lane Craig’s classic syllogism to the robust work of thinkers like David Baggett, Jerry Walls, and Adam Lloyd Johnson the case for a divine foundation of morality has become increasingly refined and forceful. But one thing is clear: no matter how it's formulated, the moral argument presses this unavoidable point—if there are objective moral obligations, then atheism is

In 2018, I published a blog post titled Avengers: Infinity War & Possible Worlds , unpacking what I saw as a striking parallel between Doctor Strange’s use of the Time Stone and God’s omniscience through the lens of Molinism. A year later, in Avengers: Endgame, Middle Knowledge, & the Destruction of the Problem of Evil , I revisited that analogy and expanded it into a forceful theodicy: if Doctor Strange can heroically allow temporary suffering in order to bring about the ult

Josh takes on the Amazon hit show House of David. The problems, the good things, source material and... was it good? Note: All clips used in this review are subject to Fair Use law and fall under the guidelines and parameters thereof. Support the ministry: https://freethinkingministries.com/donate/ Notes: House of David on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DT4V5C9D/ref=atv_hm_hom_c_lZOsi7_2_1?jic=8%7CEgNhbGw%3D House of David IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/tit

Under exhaustive divine determinism (EDD), man has no libertarian freedom, and all decisions human beings make are causally predetermined based on God's (causal) will. In other words, all decisions and actions of human beings are the result of God's immutable decree. And as we have seen, this means God forces (Calvin's word) all the actions of human beings and they cannot possibly do otherwise. What does this do to prayer? We are all familiar with the common story of Christ

In today's Theology Thursday live Dr. Tim Stratton and Josh Klein introduce another new member of our team, Phil Bair. Phil and Tim will take turns responding to Calvinist tweets and offering their analysis and clap backs there. For more info on freethinking ministries and how to get involved go to www.freethinkingministries.com/donate Tim's X: https://x.com/TSXpress Josh's X: https://x.com/JoshRKlein Phil Bair's Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Phil+Bair&crid

What exactly is the Bullet Bill objection, and does it land a fatal blow against Molinism—or backfire on Calvinism? If you've spent much time in online theological circles, you've likely heard someone invoke Greg Welty’s so-called “Bullet Bill” objection to Molinism. The name might remind you of a fun Nintendo video game from your childhood, but the philosophical challenge it raises is serious. So what is this Bullet Bill objection, and does it land a fatal blow against Moli

Coauthored by Dr. Tim Stratton and ChatGPT René Descartes famously grounded the certainty of his own existence in a single, indubitable truth: Cogito, ergo sum —"I think, therefore I am." The act of thinking, he argued, necessarily implies a thinker. But in the age of artificial intelligence, that foundational claim raises a fascinating question: Can an AI like ChatGPT say, "I think, therefore I am"? In this post, I (Tim) ask ChatGPT whether it can truly think, exist, or p

In the 20th episode of FTMonthly Josh tackles cultural issues on both the left and right. The truth, is its own side, is that third wayism? Josh says no and analyzes a debate with Randal Rouser, The "woke right" and what to make of a sword ban in the UK and a troubling sermon from a Lutheran pastor about Jesus needing to "expand his goodness?" Check out full Trinity Radio debate: Be Emboldened interview in spiritual abuse - https://youtu.be/Rejb7Qk5wfI?si=xMHpE-3s11-SzSoH

As a theologian, I've devoted my life to pursuing truth, wherever it leads—and no matter the cost. I’ve sought to think logically, interpret Scripture responsibly, live accordingly, and speak the truth in love. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s this: if you are committed to truth, you will make enemies. Many of them. Not because you're trying to. Not because you're cruel or abrasive. But because speaking truth inevitably confronts error—and people do

One of the great joys of engaging in philosophical and theological dialogue is doing so with friends who sharpen us, challenge us, and walk with us in pursuit of truth. My friend Warren McGrew (a.k.a., "Idol Killer") is one such colleague. He is a bold and thoughtful theologian who, like me, firmly rejects exhaustive divine determinism (EDD) and seeks to defend a robust view of human freedom grounded in God’s love and sovereignty. Though we part ways when it comes to Molinism

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen—not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen—not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” — C.S. Lewis Similarly, I believe in perfect being theology as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see the maximal greatness of God, but because by it I see everything else. This theological lens ha

Christians across denominational traditions typically agree that God is perfectly loving, perfectly just, and perfectly wise. He doesn’t make mistakes, He never judges unfairly, and He knows not just what will happen, but also what would happen in every possible situation. That’s what we mean when we say God is a maximally great being—among other things, "God is love" (1 John 4:8) and possesses perfect knowledge, is perfectly just, and perfect in mercy. Now let’s take a clos

Dr. Tim Stratton and Josh Klein are joined by Richard Suttles known as "The Fallen Ape-Theist" who identifies as an agnostic/atheist. As friends they discuss the reason Richard doesn't believe in God, what might change his mind, and how he thinks the way he does. If you ever wanted to get into the mind of an atheist this is a great window! For our conversation on Trump's near assassination go here: Check out The Fallen Ape-Theist here: Facebook: Twitter: @TheApe_Theis

Recently, during a public discussion on divine determinism, a Calvinist objected to my use of the term “EDD” — short for Exhaustive Divine Determinism (or Exhaustive Divine Determination). He said, “I’m just going to use the term everyone else uses in the literature — theological determinism,” and dismissed EDD as both "superfluous" and “a mouthful.” That’s a fairly common response I hear online. Many Calvinists and divine determinists seem to bristle at the term EDD. Some

I joined the launch team group for William Lane Craig’s Systemic Philosophical Theology and was given access to a preview chapter as a reward. In joining the group, I agreed to buy a copy of his book and post a review on sites such as Amazon, Goodreads, and so on. So quite clearly at this point I’ve been adequately bribed, and my opinions and commentary are suspect. I’d originally intended to finish this a couple of weeks ago and post it before the book came out, but thanks

Dear ChatGPT, I'd like to discuss an epistemological matter referred to as "direct acquaintance." In epistemology, direct acquaintance refers to a kind of immediate, non-inferential awareness or knowledge of something. When one is directly acquainted with something, one does not know it via reasoning, testimony, or interpretation, but through immediate experience or awareness. Although I disagree with him on many things, I believe Bertrand Russell was correct when he argued t

Risk is an inescapable part of life. We wear seatbelts because we can’t predict when an accident will happen. We buy insurance because we don’t know when a disaster might strike. We lock our doors at night, not because we expect a break-in, but because failing to prepare for one could prove catastrophic. Gun ownership operates on the same principle: it’s a rational hedge against an unpredictable world. This reasoning finds a striking parallel in Pascal’s Wager , a classic phi