David J Baggett

Would a good God allow some people to be lost to hell due to the bad luck of their circumstances (such as never hearing the Christian gospel)? Do some who are lost ""slip through the cracks"" (i.e., they would have freely chosen to be saved if only God had placed them into different circumstances)? After surveying and responding to other significant objections within the so-called ""soteriological problem of evil,"" this groundbreaking new work identifies the above as the most difficult soteriological challenge for Christian theism and explores it in great depth. Finding William Lane Craig's famous solution to this problem insightful but ultimately inadequate, the book proposes an alternative solution that upholds Christian exclusivism (the view that one must hear and respond to the gospel to be saved) and is both biblically consistent and philosophically plausible. It offers an intriguing possibility for how God might ensure that all people have an opportunity to be saved and that none who are lost slip through the cracks in a way that is inconsistent with God's goodness. Additionally, the book reveals how its response to this soteriological problem has much value for addressing key aspects of the broader problem of evil.

Would a good God allow some people to be lost to hell due to the bad luck of their circumstances (such as never hearing the Christian gospel)? Do some who are lost "slip through the cracks" (i.e., they would have freely chosen to be saved if only God had placed them into different circumstances)? After surveying and responding to other significant objections within the so-called "soteriological problem of evil," this groundbreaking new work identifies the above as the most difficult soteriological challenge for Christian theism and explores it in great depth. Finding William Lane Craig's famous solution to this problem insightful but ultimately inadequate, the book proposes an alternative solution that upholds Christian exclusivism (the view that one must hear and respond to the gospel to be saved) and is both biblically consistent and philosophically plausible. It offers an intriguing possibility for how God might ensure that all people have an opportunity to be saved and that none who are lost slip through the cracks in a way that is inconsistent with God's goodness. Additionally, the book reveals how its response to this soteriological problem has much value for addressing key aspects of the broader problem of evil.

How people understand God has significant implications for their worldview. Unlike traditional apologetic approaches that seek to establish God's existence through purely abductive reasoning, A Personal God and A Good World adopts a more nuanced approach, delving into the intricacies of modified classical theism, a form of theism that emphasizes God's personal nature. Ronnie Campbell and David Baggett, a philosopher and a theologian, seamlessly blend their expertise to present a comprehensive and engaging examination of this theological framework. The book is structured into three distinct parts, intended to unravel the complexities of theistic personalism and its implications for morality. Part One provides a comprehensive defense of Anselmian theism and its alignment with the concept of moral truths. Part Two delves deeper into modified classical theism, defending its validity and highlighting its strengths. Finally, Part Three showcases the relevance of the Triune God of Christian theism in illuminating the moral landscape of our universe. Through a series of compelling arguments, the authors demonstrate how the Christian understanding of God provides a profound and meaningful explanation for the existence of moral truths and values. A Personal God and A Good World is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the connection between the Christian view of God and morality. Through its rigorous philosophical and theological analysis, the book challenges readers to reexamine their own beliefs and consider the profound implications of God's existence in shaping a moral and just world.

What happens when Christians die? Some conclude that purgatory--a place of final purging and purification--is what awaits most believers after death in order to prepare for them to eventually fully enjoy God in heaven. But is purgatory what the Bible teaches? What are the theological implications of purgatory? Is purgatory, as some claim, a rational conclusion based on human freedom and moral transformation? In this introductory consideration to the topic of what Christians experience after death, it will be argued that there are clear biblical, theological, and rational reasons to reject any teaching of purgatory. Rather than anticipating a time of future purgation, the joyful expectation of every Christian is that, at the moment of death, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. ""This is a substantive and informative introduction to a doctrine that, to the amazement of many, is no longer relegated to the Catholic Church, but has been taken up by respected evangelicals. Dr. Gentry's defense of the traditional protestant view is concise, credible, and most welcome."" --James Kinnebrew, Luther Rice College and Seminary Thomas J. Gentry II is the senior minister at Fellowship in Christ Christian Church in Carterville, Illinois. His other books include You Shall Be My Witnesses: Reflections on Sharing the Gospel (2018) and Thinking of Worship: A Liturgical Miscellany (2011).

What happens when Christians die? Some conclude that purgatory--a place of final purging and purification--is what awaits most believers after death in order to prepare for them to eventually fully enjoy God in heaven. But is purgatory what the Bible teaches? What are the theological implications of purgatory? Is purgatory, as some claim, a rational conclusion based on human freedom and moral transformation? In this introductory consideration to the topic of what Christians experience after death, it will be argued that there are clear biblical, theological, and rational reasons to reject any teaching of purgatory. Rather than anticipating a time of future purgation, the joyful expectation of every Christian is that, at the moment of death, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. ""This is a substantive and informative introduction to a doctrine that, to the amazement of many, is no longer relegated to the Catholic Church, but has been taken up by respected evangelicals. Dr. Gentry's defense of the traditional protestant view is concise, credible, and most welcome."" --James Kinnebrew, Luther Rice College and Seminary Thomas J. Gentry II is the senior minister at Fellowship in Christ Christian Church in Carterville, Illinois. His other books include You Shall Be My Witnesses: Reflections on Sharing the Gospel (2018) and Thinking of Worship: A Liturgical Miscellany (2011).