Kirk R. MacGregor - Luis de Molina: The Life and Theology of the Founder of Middle Knowledge

Kirk MacGregor has written a game-changer. He demonstrates that Molinas understanding of the nature of grace was much more evangelical than what is commonly perceived. MacGregor shows that Molina didnt develop the notion of middle knowledge simply for the sake of philosophical speculation, but because of his deep concern for pastoral ministry. This book will become an invaluable resource in Molinism studies.

Ken Keathley, Professor of Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

If you havent discovered Kirk R. MacGregor, Luis de Molina provides a rewarding introduction to his work. Dr. MacGregor combines that rare ability to maintain scholarly rigor while making a seemingly remote historical figure come alive for the reader. His clear, concise prose combined with compassionate resonance with the characters in his account make for a surprisingly enjoyable reading experience. Luis de Molina is crafted with thoughtfulness, detailed research, and engaging narrative. Religion scholars with interests in Molinism and the doctrine of middle knowledge will acquire fresh insight into issues of Gods sovereignty, grace, providence and predestination, and their relation to human free will and social justice. For the theologically minded, Dr. MacGregors book becomes an indispensable guide through the often complex and controversial doctrinal debates that preoccupied the best minds in sixteenth-century Spain. Luis de Molina, one of the great philosophical theologians and ethicists of his time, made important contributions to Christianity, contributions that before Dr. MacGregors exhaustive biography, have been misunderstood, misinterpreted, or largely ignored. The general reader will embark on a fascinating journey into the turbulent life and times of Molina, a world in which passionate theological debate could lead to torture or death or threaten to unhinge the religious and political establishment. Once again, Dr. MacGregor has produced a volume that is both a fruitful resource and an inspiring and captivating reading experience.

John K. Simmons, Professor of Religious Studies, emeritus, Western Illinois University

While others have brought clarity to the discussion of middle knowledge, MacGregor has given us the most comprehensive treatment to date of Molina and his formulation of middle knowledge. Masterfully woven into the story of the life and times of Molina, he judicially places the development of middle knowledge within the larger theological and philosophical context of the day. Impeccably researched and skillfully written. More than a history, it is theologically informative, intellectually refreshing, and spiritually encouraging as MacGregor details the theological explanatory power of middle knowledge. An absolute must-read for the serious student of theology.

Bruce A. Little, PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina

As Kirk MacGregor notes in the introduction, his theological biography of Luis de Molina fills a void that has existed in the literature for some time, at least since the revival of interest in Molinism in the last thirty years or so. While some of MacGregors claims will prove controversial, there can be no doubt that his work will promote further scholarly investigation and provoke not a little debate. There can be no doubt that MacGregor has made a significant contribution to the growing corpus of literature on Molina by evangelical scholars. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the debates over divine providence and human freedom, both past and present, and especially those with concern to Molinas part in those debates.

John D. Laing, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Houston

At long last we have a tour de force on the life, theology, and legacy of an oft overlooked theological giant. In this work Kirk MacGregor masterfully weaves together Luis de Molinas life, spiritual pilgrimage, theological genius, and the heritage of Molinism he left to posterity. Anyone interested in divine sovereignty and human choice should read this book. Besides the theological reward that will be reaped from doing so, you will also be drawn into the fascinating life and times of a remarkable human being.

Chad Meister, Professor of Philosophy and Theology, Bethel College

LUIS DE MOLINA 1535 1600

ZONDERVAN

Luis de Molina

Copyright 2015 by Kirk R. MacGregor

ePub Edition September 2015: ISBN 978-0-310-51698-9

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

MacGregor, Kirk R.

Luis de Molina : the life and theology of the founder of middle knowledge / Kirk R. MacGregor.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-310-51697-2 (hardcover)

1. Molina, Luis de, 1535-1600. 2. Molinism. 3. God (Christianity) Omniscience. I. Title.

BX4705.M598M33 2015

230'.2092 dc23

2015018760

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Cover design: Tammy Johnson

Cover/frontispiece illustration: Tristan Elwell / Shannon Associates

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 /DCI/ 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To my son, Dwiane

Contents

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK William Lane Craig and his Reasonable Faith ministry. When I was a masters student at Biola University (2000 2001), I received my first introduction to Molinism through Craigs writings and lectures in the Robert L. Saucy Lecture Series. Craigs scholarship sparked my abiding interest in Luis de Molina, which has grown from that point onward. Since 2013 I have been privileged to direct a chapter of Reasonable Faith on the south side of Chicago.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Ralph Keen and Raymond Mentzer, who were my doctoral coadvisers at the University of Iowa (2001 05). From them I received a stellar education in Reformation studies and learned the skills necessary for critically analyzing early modern primary sources. Without their investment in my academic career, the research completed in this book could not have been carried out. For their guidance, support, and friendship, I am extremely grateful.

Thanks also to my colleagues on the Middle Knowledge/Molinism Consultation of the Evangelical Theological Society for their engagement with my work and their stimulating conversations. In particular I am especially grateful to fellow Steering Committee members John Laing, Kenneth Keathley, Greg Welty, James Anderson, and Paul Copan, who have given me the opportunity to present my research on Molina and various applications of middle knowledge at the societys annual meetings.