Abstract: Is Divine Determinism a Different Gospel?

Divine determinism, a position traditionally held by Calvinists, seems to entail that God is not omnibenevolent (perfectly loves all people). This has been conceded by some proponents of divine determinism. In this we have found a problem of competing intuitions. First, moral errors are typically more serious than other errors. A man is far more likely to take offense to being labeled a “bad person” as opposed to if others believe false, but amoral, facts about him (such as the color of his eyes or his exact height). Second, per the law of identity, heretical Christian groups like the Mormons do not worship the Triune God of Christianity. The god of Mormonism, although omnibenevolent, simply has different properties than the necessary and Triune God of Christianity.

Given the above, divine determinism would be a greater error than Mormonism. So given that Mormonism is heretical, then it would follow that divine determinism is also heretical. However divine determinism has a long history of being well-accepted as within Christian orthodoxy even by its opponents.

We use this problem to attempt to develop a methodology for categorizing views as orthodox or heretical. Regardless of the questions surrounding divine determinism, this can provide us with a method of addressing this and similar issues. We then argue for two distinctions to address this problem. First, while it is commonplace to take offense at moral slights, it is better to not take offense and there is much evidence of this in philosophy, psychology, and the Scriptures. And if this is virtuous for humans, how much more so for God? Second, we argue that, unlike Mormonism, divine determinists are correct about what God is and this makes it possible for them to know who He is. Right relationship requires getting certain facts of the matter right. Divine determinism does this while Mormonism does not. Hence even granting that divine determinism is wrong about God’s moral character and loving nature, it can be preserved as within Christian orthodoxy.

For more, stay tuned for the forthcoming publication of "Is Divine Determinism a Different Gospel" by Phil Kallberg and Timothy A. Stratton. 

Notes:

• The video, "Calvinism: A Different Gospel?," on the FreeThinking Ministries YouTube channel provided the catalyst for this forthcoming journal article. Although the academic essay goes much further than the video---and we offer a solution not presented in the video---it provides a good place to start. Click here to see more.