Statistics & Free Will
In a number of books and articles, I’ve argued for the reality of creaturely freedom. Our freedom is always limited, however, by various forces, factors, actors, and agents in our bodies and outside. Despite these limitations, there are at least nine good reasons to think we have genuine freedom. Not everyone affirms the reality of […]
Free Will is an Experiential Nonnegotiable
There are strong reasons to believe humans have genuine but limited free will. I believe this, in part, because I experience freedom every day. In a previous post (click here), I listed 9 reasons it makes sense to affirm that humans have genuine but limited free will. In this post, I address perhaps the most […]
Relentless Love in the Afterlife
In the book I’m currently writing, I address the question of heaven, hell, annihilation, and the afterlife. I take the logic of uncontrolling love to its eschatological end. And this process has led me to coin a label for my view, Relentless Love. The Usual Afterlife Theories The logic of uncontrolling love changes the way […]
9 Reasons We Have Genuine but Limited Freedom
An essay I wrote has just been published. I argue humans and God have genuine but limited freedom. The new book is What’s with Free Will? Ethics and Religion after Neuroscience, edited by James Walters and Philip Clayton. The book responds to some neuroscientists who claim human free will is an illusion. These neuroscientists base […]
Biology and the Freedom to Love
In recent decades, biology has moved to the fore of love research. The role of evolution, the function of genes, selection pressures, and group interaction play a prominent role in contemporary biological discussions of the possibility and nature of love.
My Response to Christianity Today Review
I thank Derek Rishmawy for his Christianity Today review of my new book, The Uncontrolling Love of God. I offer this response as a way to clarify and note differences between Derek’s views and my own.
My Response to Howard Snyder
My friend, Howard Snyder, has written a review of my new book, The Uncontrolling Love of God. I thought it might be helpful if I responded. I have great respect for Howard and his work. Although we disagree on several theological issues, I count him as an important voice in Wesleyan Theology. Howard’s review is […]
Making Sense of God and Evil
We all want to make sense of life. But tragedies and evils – whether caused by free creatures, microorganisms, or random events – make it difficult to do so.
Ten Books that Influenced Me in 2015
Good books change our perspective on God, the world, or ourselves. Good books have changed my perspective in 2015.
Did God Allow the Paris Attacks?
Most theologians would say “yes.” I say “no.” If current reports are correct, ISIS planned various attacks in Paris that killed more than 100 people and injured about 500. An attack occurred in Beirut, and other acts of terror have been committed. The death, pain, and suffering are immense. Those like me who believe in […]