William Lane Craig and Paul Helm

On the Unbelievable Radio Show, in the UK, Justin Brierly had Dr. William Lane Craig and Paul Helm debate Calvinism and Middle Knowledge. The discussion can be heard here. I just want to make a few points after hearing the debate. First, Dr. Craig does not explain precisely how God can know what free  creatures (i.e. with the ability to will a decision ex nihilo to act or refrain) would do in any given circumstances.   In fact, Dr. Craig merely asserts it is just so that God knows what free creatures (i.e. with the ability to will a decision ex nihilo to act or refrain) could, would, and will, do in any given circumstances. Helm candidly appeals to the mystery in which God determines all things and yet man is still in some sense free. Helm rightly pointed out that Calvinism has sufficient resources needed to account for divine determinism and human freedom in the mystery of God without having to appeal to another mystery, namely Middle knowledge. Helm hints at the analogical nature of determinism between the Creator and the creature as he discusses the wide distinction between the two. I do wish, however, Helm would have shown how causal determinism is not essential to Calvinism but it's consonant with it.


Here are some excellent criticisms of Middle Knowledge by Paul Kjoss Helseth taken from Four Views on Divine Providence: