I had a user on a forum bring up the concept of Molinism. I hadn't heard of it. Interesting concept… At first review, I think it's trying to find a middle ground on total free will vs. election. I didn't realize the Roman Catholics have a similar debate. In my humble opinion, To speak of God's "middle knowledge" seems an unnecessary breakdown of His Omniscience, but I guess it gives an "out" if it makes one feel better that God is manipulating them into salvation rather than outright choosing you for it. I prefer the latter, myself, as it humbles me and makes me so incredibly thankful for the gift(!!!).
The whole free will vs. unconditional election debate boils down to monergism vs. synergism. Is salvation a complete work of God and God only 'so that no man should boast' (monergism) or is it a cooperative effort of God and man - God offers but man accepts (synergism).
Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The Calvinist view is that man's act of acceptance is a 'work' of man that would violate this principal of scripture, whereas the Arminian view is that it is not a work and that man's sovereignty - I mean free will - cannot be encroached upon so man must accept or deny this gift and is therefore not saved until such time as he does so. Now, this is a much more palatable view for man to accept since it tidies up the whole 'hell problem'. Jesus offered - you rejected - you get what you deserve… and there are verses that seem to back up this view depending on your interpretation of them. That's what we're left to decide. What do we believe to be true?