Theology

Free Choice in Early Modern Reformed Theology

Taught by Dr. Michael Lynch
Runs 4/10 – 6/17/23
$225.00 – $399.00
Syllabus

How is free choice possible in a world determined by God’s will? What is the nature of human choice, and how does God’s foreknowledge preserve man’s moral responsibility? Although we can be tempted to think and act as if we are the first to raise such questions, we are heirs of rich theological and philosophical literature wrestling with these difficult questions. This class will focus on early modern Reformed expositions of free choice in their theological, philosophical, and historical contexts. Generally speaking, the course will cover the 16th–18th centuries, although classical and medieval treatments on the question of free choice will inevitably provide the background to much of the class material.

Deadline to register: Wednesday, March 29th

 

 

ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

Auditing ($225):

participate in readings and live class sessions, but no graded assignments and no course credit

Full course (Full-Time Discount) ($275):

for-credit courses (at least four per term) toward our Certificate or M.Litt in Classical Protestantism

Full course ($399):

individual classes on a for-credit basis; you can later apply them toward a Certificate or Degree

 

ENROLL NOW

Description

This Theology course will be taught by Dr. Michael Lynch, and will run from April 10th through June 17th. The syllabus can be found here.

How is free choice possible in a world determined by God’s will? What is the nature of human choice, and how does God’s foreknowledge preserve man’s moral responsibility? Although we can be tempted to think and act as if we are the first to raise such questions, we are heirs of rich theological and philosophical literature wrestling with these difficult questions. This class will focus on early modern Reformed expositions of free choice in their theological, philosophical, and historical contexts. Generally speaking, the course will cover the 16th–18th centuries, although classical and medieval treatments on the question of free choice will inevitably provide the background to much of the class material.

Dr. Michael Lynch (Ph.D, Calvin Seminary) teaches Ancient Language and Humanities at Delaware Valley Classical School in New Castle, DE. He is the author ofJohn Davenant’s Hypothetical Universalism: A Defense of Catholic and Reformed Orthodoxy. He and his wife have five children, three girls and two boys.

Details

Online only, runs 10 weeks, meeting 2 hr./wk. via Zoom. Students will also have the option to participate in class discussion on the Davenant Common Room Discord server. Register to reserve your spot and schedule will be set after a poll of participating students; if the class time does not fit your schedule, you will be eligible for a full refund.

This is a graduate-level course. Although a BA is not a necessary pre-requisite for this course, students should come prepared to do graduate-level work.