Divine providence
Subtitle: the Molinist account
By: Thomas P. Flint.
Series: Cornell studies in the philosophy of religion
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Ithaca, N.Y
Language: eng
Number of pages: 258
Subjects: Catholic Church -- Doctrines -- History -- 16th century.; Providence and government of God -- History of doctrines -- 16th century.; Molinism.
Description: Thomas P. Flint develops and defends the idea of divine providence sketched by Luis deMolina, the sixteenth-century Jesuit theologian. The Molinist account of divine providence reconciles two claims long thought to be incompatible: that God is the all knowing governor of the universe and that individual freedom can prevail only in a universe free of absolute determinism.

The Molinist concept of middle knowledge bolds that God knows, though he has no control over, truths about how any individual would freely choose to act in any situation, even if the person never encounters that situation. Given such knowledge, God can be truly providential while leaving his creatures genuinely free. Divine Providence is by far the most detailed and extensive presentation of the Molinist view ever written.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.