Surprising God

In his book, The Only WIse God, William Lane Craig defends Molinism against the claim that a God who knows everything everyone will ever do is a fatalistic theology.   Episode 51 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

In his book, The Only WIse God, William Lane Craig ponders the supernatural knowledge of Jesus. But when he gets down to the gritty work of describing that knowledge, he ends up with something rather mundane. Dan argues that true supernatural knowledge looks far greater than what Craig's theology allows. It looks, rather, unfathomable (as Isaiah says in 40:28) and without limit (as the Psalmist says in 147:5). Craig's understanding of God's knowledge is totally limited and easily fathomable.  Episode 50 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

In Bobby Jamieson's excellent book, "Everything is Never Enough," Jamieson argues that humans are not autonomous because they depend on creation. Since people depend on forces outside themselves for survival, and because they did not create themselves and cannot sustain themselves, Jamieson says people are not their own. But the thesis of his book is that life is a gift from God. Are these two claims compatible? Dan says no.  Link to mentioned sermon: Escaping Babylon Episode 49 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

People will try to make free will compatible with a whole host of things that, on the face of it, seem determined. Folks will try to make free will compatible with philosophical materialism (all that exists are matter and energy), a settled future (Arminianism), and God's meticulous decree (Calvinism). But our concepts have consequences, and in this episode Dan Kent considers a strange consequence of Calvinist forms of compatibilism.  Episode 48 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

William Lane Craig beautifully describes the vertigo experienced when contemplating determinism. Dan Kent asks whether conteplating free will might create an obverse vertigo.  Episode 47 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Timothy Keller argues that the story of Joseph in the Old Testament is about God's control. Dan argues that the story is more about Joseph's control. What do you think?    Episode 46 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Calvin says God does everything, and everything that happens is because God brings it about. God never rests. But Sabbath is to rest, and we are told God rests. How can a God who does everything rest? Dan discusses...   Episode 45 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

The love passage of 1 Corinthians 13 says that love means to trust. Some translations say love "believes all things." Why the different translations? Which is right? What difference does it make? Dan discusses...   Episode 44 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Sermon: Love Trusts Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Grab your favorite brand of spinach and join Dan Kent as he explores 1 Corinthians 15:10, where Paul says that he is what he is because of God's grace. Does this mean everything Paul is and everything Paul does is actually God acting through Paul? Dan discusses.   Episode 43 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan Kent tries to show why grammar might be more interesting than your school teachers led you to believe.   Episode 42 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan Kent tries to define Theological Memoir.   Episode 41 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan Kent looks at Calvin's claim that the first function of the Law is to convince us of our weakness and sin.   Episode 40 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan Kent looks at John 15:5. What does it mean when Jesus tells his disciples: "apart from me you can do nothing"? Does that mean God does everything through us?   Episode 39 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan Kent considers RC Sproul's self-loathing and how that might have influenced the development of his theology—including his claim: "What we are saved from, in Biblical terms of salvation, is God Himself."  Episode 38 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan Kent breaks down Peter van Inwagen's classic article "When is the Will Free," highlighting how the article exposes common problems with the academic attempt to understand free will—especially the attempt to prove or disprove its reality.  Episode 37 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Andrew Wilson claims that Psalm 139 poses and "enormous challenge" for open theists, as it claims that God knows all the days formed for me, even days that are still to come. Dan shows why this argument poses little challenge at all to open theists.  Episode 36 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

David Ray Griffin casts a prophetic vision for process theism. In the clearing fog of the future, he sees it ascending the throne of contemporary theology—anointed by theologians, robed by scientists, and crowned by the zeitgeist. Is he right? Dan Kent reflects... Episode 35 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

What does it mean to say that God "works all things according to the purposes of his will"? How can we understand God clocking in for a shift in his sovereign occupation?     Episode 34 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan considers Norman Geisler's resignation from the ETS after his failed attempt to oust Greg Boyd, John Sanders, and Clark Pinnock.     Episode 33 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan considers what it might mean for a God who sustains everything... to rest.     Episode 32 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan considers the risks of love.     Episode 31 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan talks about miracles.     Episode 30 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Calvin says the primary role of the Law is to humble our hearts, which are blinded and drunk with pride. Is that right? Dan throws shade.     Episode 29 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Calvin talks about God giving us a new will. Is this possible? Isn't a person, when you get down to it, simply a will in a body?    Episode 28 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

How does Calvin protect the idea of meritorious reward under the thumbs of his all-controlling God?    Episode 27 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

As I build an aggragate argument for open theism in the early church I thought I'd share a couple gems with you here. The first is from The Epistle to Diognetus. The second is from Irenaeus's "Against Heresies." Enjoy!   YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 26 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Paul Helseth says that "true courage" is knowing God has your death all planned out and facing every moment knowing nothing depends on you. Is that right? Dan doesn't think so. What do YOU think?   YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 25 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Does plausibility and beauty matter in our doctrine of God? Mark Talbot says "no." To him, all that matters is what we find in the Bible. But is this enough? I offer FIVE problems with Talbot's perspective.  YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 24 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

This conversation covered a great deal of topics, and the Surprising God Think Tank did not disappoint! From his time as a Calvinist, to his controversy around open theism, to his current mindset about God and free will, Greg gets to the heart of it all!  YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 23 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

If love is not love unless it is freely chosen—which is pretty central for many open theists—then how can babies go to heaven? Dan takes the case.  YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 22 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

One model to understand all the perspectives about God's foreknowledge?   Alan Rhoda sits down with the Surprising God think tank to discuss his new book on Open Theism (you can check it out HERE: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009349390).    You can order Alan Rhoda's new book here: https://a.co/d/egm2gbJ Read more of Alan's thoughts here: http://alanrhoda.net/wordpress/ YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 21 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan looks at another argument in Thomas Jay Oord's new book: The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence. Oord takes the premises: • Power is fundamentally social (it must be exercised on something). • Power does not exist in absolute isolation and he infers: • If God once existed without creation, that God had no power. • If that God had no power, that God could not have created anything. Does this argument work? Dan shares his initial doubts.  YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 20 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan looks at an argument in Thomas Jay Oord's new book: The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence. If it's true that "To exist is to exert power," what if we claim that God exerts all power? It seems to lead to the following disjunct: either (1) we do not exist or (2) we are God. Dan thinks through some potential problems with this line of thought.  YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 19 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan looks at the potential arrogance of open theism in light of the good news of incarnation. YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 18 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

The Surprising God Think Tank welcomes Samuel Tanner to discuss how improv might inform us about how God might perform sovereignly over his living creation. You can connect with Samuel Tanner at his website: samjtanner.com YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 17 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Dan on X: @thatdankent

Dan wrestles with Ardel Caneday and Michael Horton about what can be known about God.  YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 16 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

The Surprising God Think Tank welcomes Joshua L. Rasmussen in where we talk about everything from God's being, human consciousness, divine revelation, sin, and SO MUCH MORE! You can learn more about Joshua at JoshuaLRasmussen.com  Pick up Joshua's book How Reason Can Lead to God YOU can join future Surprising God conversations at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 15 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 14 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 13 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 12 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 11 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 10 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 9 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 8 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 7 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 5 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

The Surprising God team chats with Paul Eddy about how he converted Greg Boyd from Calvinism, his relationship with John Piper, and his own understanding of God's foreknowledge (and SO much more!).   YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 5 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

The Surprising God crack team talk with Kurt Willems about his book Echoing Hope and discuss how our view of God affects how we view our trauma and suffering, and how, therefore, our view of God can facilitate healing.  YOU can join the conversation at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 4 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

Dan looks at the incredible book defending open theism from 1882 by Lorenzo Dow McCabe. Is this the first full book on the subject?  YOU can join at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 3 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent

Dan introduces this new podcast and the think-tank community working behind the scenes, which YOU can join at SurprisingGod.com! Episode 2 YouTube Channel: Surprising God Dan's books: Confident Humility The Training of KX12 Send Questions To: Twitter: @SurprisingGodFacebook: SurprisingGod Twitter: @thatdankent