Introduction: Reconciling Divine Foreknowledge with Human Freedom

One of the deepest and most intriguing questions in theology is how God’s omniscience, especially His foreknowledge of the future, can coexist with human freedom. If God knows everything, including what will happen, how can humans have free will? Is there any space for genuine choice if God already knows the outcome? These questions have puzzled theologians for centuries. In this article, we explore the concept of *middle knowledge*, a fascinating approach to understanding how divine foreknowledge and human freedom can coexist harmoniously.

What Is Divine Foreknowledge?

Divine foreknowledge refers to God’s ability to know everything about the future. This includes all events that will happen and all actions humans will take. However, the challenge arises when we consider human freedom. If God already knows what choices we will make, do we truly have the freedom to choose otherwise?
The traditional view of divine foreknowledge asserts that God knows everything in advance without causing events to unfold in a deterministic way. For example, God might know that you will choose to eat pizza tomorrow, but this doesn’t mean He is forcing you to make that choice. However, the question remains: if God’s knowledge is infallible, how can we say that we have real choices?

The Role of Middle Knowledge

*Middle knowledge* is a theological concept introduced by the 16th-century Jesuit theologian Luis de Molina. This idea, which bridges the gap between divine foreknowledge and human freedom, has been revived in modern times by philosophers like Alvin Plantinga. Middle knowledge proposes that God knows not only everything that *could* happen (called His natural knowledge) and everything that *will* happen (His free knowledge), but also what *would* happen under any possible circumstances.
This means that God knows every potential choice humans could make and the outcomes of those choices. For instance, God knows not only whether you will choose pizza tomorrow, but also what you would have chosen if the circumstances were different—if you were in a different restaurant or influenced by a different suggestion.
This type of knowledge allows God to foresee how people would act in any given situation, enabling Him to create a world where His will is accomplished, but without overriding human freedom. This framework reconciles God’s omniscience with human free will by suggesting that while God knows all possible futures, He allows humans to make real, free choices within those futures.

God’s Natural, Middle, and Free Knowledge

To fully understand middle knowledge, it’s helpful to place it within the broader context of God’s knowledge. According to Molina’s framework, God has three types of knowledge:
1. **Natural Knowledge**: This is God’s knowledge of all possibilities. God knows everything that could happen in any possible world.
2. **Middle Knowledge**: This is God’s knowledge of what *would* happen if certain conditions or circumstances were met. This includes knowing how each individual would freely choose in any situation.
3. **Free Knowledge**: This refers to God’s knowledge of what *will* happen in the actual world He created.
Middle knowledge falls between God’s natural knowledge of possibilities and His free knowledge of actual events. It’s through this middle knowledge that God can foresee all potential choices and outcomes, while still preserving human freedom.

How Middle Knowledge Balances Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom

One of the most compelling features of middle knowledge is how it upholds both God’s sovereignty and human freedom. With middle knowledge, God doesn’t control or predetermine every action humans take. Instead, He knows what every person would do in any given situation. This allows Him to create a world where His plans are fulfilled, while people retain the freedom to make genuine choices.
For example, imagine that God wants to ensure that a particular historical event takes place. Using middle knowledge, God can foresee how various individuals would act in different circumstances. He can then orchestrate a set of circumstances that lead to the event He desires, all without violating the free will of the individuals involved. They still make their own decisions, but God knows in advance what those decisions will be in the context of the circumstances He creates.

The Example of Christmas Carol: A Useful Illustration

A popular illustration of middle knowledge can be found in Charles Dickens’ *A Christmas Carol*. When the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge a vision of his future, it’s not just a prediction of what *will* happen. Instead, it’s a vision of what *would* happen if Scrooge does not change his ways. Scrooge retains the freedom to change his behavior, and if he does, the future shown to him will not come to pass. This idea parallels middle knowledge: God knows not only what will happen, but what would happen depending on people’s free choices.

Providence and Divine Control

Middle knowledge provides God with incredible providential control. By knowing what individuals would do in every possible situation, God can shape the world in such a way that His ultimate purposes are achieved. However, this control does not negate human responsibility or freedom. People still freely choose their actions, even though God knows in advance what they will choose.
This view contrasts with theological determinism, where God directly causes every event to unfold in a predetermined way. Instead, middle knowledge preserves the idea of free will by allowing individuals to make their own choices, while God works within those choices to accomplish His purposes.

Is Middle Knowledge Too Much Control?

Some critics of middle knowledge, like the host in the video transcript, raise concerns about whether it gives God too much control. If God can foresee and guide every event, does that mean humans are merely participants in a pre-scripted drama? Theologians like Molina argue that this is not the case. Human freedom is preserved because individuals make their own choices in response to the circumstances they face. God simply knows in advance what those choices will be.
From this perspective, middle knowledge allows God to work within the world without being a puppet master. He creates the circumstances, but humans still determine their actions within those circumstances.

The Debate Over Middle Knowledge

The concept of middle knowledge is not universally accepted. Some theologians and philosophers argue that it gives God too much influence over human decisions. Others find it difficult to conceive of how God can know the outcomes of free choices without those choices being determined in advance.
However, as Christian philosopher Dean Zimmerman points out, middle knowledge is one of the most popular positions among contemporary Christian philosophers. Although it may not command a majority, it offers a robust and intellectually satisfying way to reconcile divine foreknowledge with human freedom.

Conclusion: Insights from Philosophical Theology

Middle knowledge provides a fascinating solution to the age-old question of how God’s omniscience can coexist with human freedom. By allowing God to know what individuals would do in any given situation, this theory offers a way to preserve both divine providence and free will.
I found this exploration of middle knowledge deeply inspiring, as it offers a fresh perspective on the intricate balance between God’s control and human freedom. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, I encourage you to check out this insightful discussion: William Lane Craig Retrospective III: Divine Foreknowledge | Closer To Truth. It may challenge your understanding of divine omniscience and inspire you to reflect on your own views of freedom and responsibility.