Free Will, Moral Responsibility, and Reformed Theology - Analytic ...

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Paul L. Manata © 2011
emotive rants. I cite them to illustrate the strong reactions many have to these
Reformed doctrines, but it should not be thought that these reactions are given
without argument. The above thinkers have given strong arguments to justify
their strong reactions. Lastly, this paper will not be a response to the above
charges. So what am I doing?
1.2 Confusions and clarification
1.2.1 Confusions
Given the above, one would think Reformed Christians well prepared to answer
these kinds of challenges. One would be mistaken. Apart from needing better
responses to the allegations about God’s character, there does seem to be some
genuine confusion about the nature of RT, and the implications it has for man’s
freedom and moral responsibility. One often finds misunderstandings
disseminated by laymen on the Internet. This should not be surprising, for a
cursory look at what Reformed teachers have said on the subject gives evidence
of at least a surface tension among Reformed thinkers. I will present quotes that
show various Reformed thinkers apparently at odds with each other. Perhaps if
they sat down together and discussed things they would find themselves in
agreement, perhaps not. The point here, though, is that there is at least prima
facie conflict and no obvious unified message.
Burk Parsons, editor of Tabletalk magazine, writes that he “was humbled and
amazed to find that Reformed theology is not a theology of determinism.” 7 On
the other hand, Tom Nettles of Southern Baptist seminary writes of the
Reformed position, “This is a causal determinism perfectly harmonious, in the
7 See , last accessed 7/1/11.