Surprising God

A podcast about open theism and being children of a kenotic God.

You Are Your Own. Or Are You? 07/25/2026

You Are Your Own. Or Are You? Dan looks at zoochosis, as discussed in Alan Nobles wonderful book: You Are Not Your Own: Belonging to God in an Inhuman World. Episode 53 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/42214120

Why We Cannot Prove (or Disprove) Free Will 06/23/2026

Why We Cannot Prove (or Disprove) Free Will Dan looks at why we cannot prove, or disprove free will—and also offers some thoughts on life and gambling. Episode 52 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/41775590

Can Molinism Defend Against Claims of Fatalism? 05/10/2026

Can Molinism Defend Against Claims of Fatalism? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/41206875

What Might True Supernatural Knowledge Look Like? 05/06/2026

What Might True Supernatural Knowledge Look Like? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/41130820

Who Told You that You were Autonomous? 05/02/2026

Who Told You that You were Autonomous? 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: Episode 49 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/41128605

A Strange Consequence of Compatibilism 04/09/2026

A Strange Consequence of Compatibilism 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/40786490

My Favorite William Lane Craig Quote Against Determinism 03/03/2026

My Favorite William Lane Craig Quote Against Determinism 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/40304325

What is the Story of Joseph Really About? 02/05/2026

What is the Story of Joseph Really About? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/40010785

Is Open Theism the Only View that Makes Sense of Sabbath? 01/19/2026

Is Open Theism the Only View that Makes Sense of Sabbath? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/39787500

Does Love Trust All Things, or Believe All Things? 01/08/2026

Does Love Trust All Things, or Believe All Things? 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: Sermon: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/39664120

Does God Do Everything for Us? A Look at 1 Corinthians 15:10 11/27/2025

Does God Do Everything for Us? A Look at 1 Corinthians 15:10 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/39192765

What Does Grammar Say About God? 10/29/2025

What Does Grammar Say About God? Dan Kent tries to show why grammar might be more interesting than your school teachers led you to believe. Episode 42 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/38833835

What is Theological Memoir? 10/25/2025

What is Theological Memoir? Dan Kent tries to define Theological Memoir. Episode 41 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/38779485

Law and Loathing: What Calvin Gets Right and Wrong About the First Function of the Law 10/17/2025

Law and Loathing: What Calvin Gets Right and Wrong About the First Function of the Law 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/38621385

What Does Jesus Mean by "Apart from me you can do nothing"? 10/08/2025

What Does Jesus Mean by "Apart from me you can do nothing"? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/38517945

RC Sproul and His Rotten Hermeneutic and Atonement Theology 09/07/2025

RC Sproul and His Rotten Hermeneutic and Atonement Theology 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/38119820

When is the Will Free? Peter van Inwagen Enters the Chat 08/14/2025

When is the Will Free? Peter van Inwagen Enters the Chat 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/37817410

Does Open Theism Collapse Under the Weight of Psalm 139? 07/29/2025

Does Open Theism Collapse Under the Weight of Psalm 139? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/37596220

What is the Future of Process Theism? 07/24/2025

What is the Future of Process Theism? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/37538685

God Works? Only Open Theism Says Yes. 07/15/2025

God Works? Only Open Theism Says Yes. 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/37419330

Did Open Theism Break Norman Geisler's Heart? 07/10/2025

Did Open Theism Break Norman Geisler's Heart? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/37360700

Can God Actually Rest? Can God Sabbath? 05/15/2025

Can God Actually Rest? Can God Sabbath? Dan considers what it might mean for a God who sustains everything... to rest. Episode 32 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/36585075

If Love is Risky, How Can the Triune God Be Love? 04/17/2025

If Love is Risky, How Can the Triune God Be Love? Dan considers the risks of love. Episode 31 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/36204805

Only Open Theism Makes Sense of Miracles 04/15/2025

Only Open Theism Makes Sense of Miracles Dan talks about miracles. Episode 30 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/36152370

What Would Moses Think of Calvin's View of the Law? 04/13/2025

What Would Moses Think of Calvin's View of the Law? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/36116785

Can God Give a New Will Without Creating a New Person? 04/01/2025

Can God Give a New Will Without Creating a New Person? 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: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/35963470

What Does the Worst Movie Line Ever Say About Calvinism? 12/10/2024

What Does the Worst Movie Line Ever Say About Calvinism? How does Calvin protect the idea of meritorious reward under the thumbs of his all-controlling God? Episode 27 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/34357680

Open Theism in the Church Fathers? 08/01/2024

Open Theism in the Church Fathers? 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 ! Episode 26 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/32388362

A Courage Worse than Cowardice? 07/17/2024

A Courage Worse than Cowardice? 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 ! Episode 25 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/32183942

Does Plausibility and Beauty Matter in Our Doctrine of God? 06/26/2024

Does Plausibility and Beauty Matter in Our Doctrine of God? 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 ! Episode 24 YouTube Channel: Dan's books: Send Questions To: Surprising God on X: Facebook: Dan on X: /episode/index/show/21cff55e-730d-4e9b-bee4-af59d8175778/id/31905017

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