The debate between Calvinism and Arminianism, between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, continues to be discussed through the Christian church. It is an issue that has immense influence on how a believer relates to prayer, evangelism, and other Christian responsibilities. Dr. Geisler takes a moderating position, convincingly affirming the sovereignty of God and His foreknowledge along with the human responsibility to choose or reject Him.
Average Rating: 3 out of 5 stars(3 out of 5 stars)
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0.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Ernesto (chicago), January 23, 2010
This book cuddles the heresy that God uses the false gospel of Arminianism to convert his elect. A person that believes a free will gospel is IGNORANT of the rigteousness of God and believing a false gospel. Galatians 1:6-9, 2 John 9-11, and many other places in the bible condemn those in false gospels. Instead of exposing the damnable heresy of the false gospels, this book tolerates heresy and makes this 'debate' something 'Christians' can disagree on. Wicked book! Stay away from this poison.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michael McDonald (Kansas City), October 29, 2009
Norman Geisler starts his book chosen but free with a quote from A.W. Tozer’s book the knowledge of the Holy which says. “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” From the first sentence I knew that I must read this book because what came to my mind when I thought of God was unloving. I could not reconcile the God of love that I had been told about when I became a Christian to the God of the five points of Calvinism. What followed was a very honest look at this very difficult doctrine.
The very first chapter opens with eight pages worth of scriptures affirming God’s sovereignty. He affirms God is before, has created, upholds, is above, who knows and can do and accomplish all things. He rules and is in control of all things. He then asks the question how then are we free? The second chapter then explains why we are free. The entire book makes the assertion that we are both chosen and free and in the process Gods all loving nature is finally shown. For if God only gives the ability of an elect few to choose him then he only loves the elect and not all as John 3:16 says.
This is what I struggled with and this is the question Geisler’s book answers. Giesler’s logic is solid, his treatment of scripture is reverent and his love of our heavenly father is evident. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those who are struggling with this issue as I have.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by John Wolf (greenville, SC), August 17, 2009
I am reading through this book and really enjoying it. Geisler is Biblical and uses much scripture support to show why Calvinism is wrong and not taught in the scripture. God gave man a free will to choose him or not, and anyone reading the scripture literally and without a pre-concieved system to match will see this. Great book!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tim Gray (Marble, NC), June 19, 2009
One of the best books I've ever read on the subject! I think Dr. Geisler has done a good job of articulating the view that the great majority of true born again believers hold. If I have any criticism at all, it would be the use of the term "moderate Calvinist" Mr. Geisler uses to describe his view of the subject. I would describe his view as simply "orthodox Christianity". Having said that, I highly recommend this book to any Christian. I will read it again soon!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Philip (Columbia, SC), January 21, 2009
An excellent book with enormous insights! Whatever one thinks about the issue of whether or not God created some individuals for damnation, to never have a chance at salvation, you have to admit a few things that Geisler points out. Without question, there are many, MANY verses that use the precise words ALL MEN, WHOMSOEVER, THE WORLD, ETC. when speaking of those God desires to save. Absolutely the ONLY way that ALL of these verses could possibly fit the "Extreme Calvinist" view is to re-define these all-inclusive words as only referring to only the Elect. How can this be??? Wouldn't you expect to see at least some of these words and verses refer specifically to ONLY the elect? And could not the God-inspired authors have used much more specific wording that would have singled out the only the elect, so as to avoid any speculation or ambiguity? Additionally, God calls those who reject Him as being in rebellion and inherently evil, and deserving of eternal punishment. Why is he upset with them if they are only functioning within the parameters He created in them? He would punish them for doing what they cannot help, as their only eternal choices are evil? In other words, God has sown rebellion against Himself??? God's character cannot change, and much of the Extreme Calvinist view not only enormously contradicts what we know of His Holy character, but makes the plain language of Scripture irrelevant, as one must change so many words and the context of verses to fit a human-designed construct. In God's sovereignty, He gave us free will - yet He has set certain parameters and requirements that we must operate within. I can guarantee you that if one applied to an Extreme Calvinist the type of arbitrary "justice" he attributes to God, that EC would not think such treatment would be very just! Salvation is a gift that we can only receive through God's requirement of faith - and we can either embrace and accept it or reject it - this is what Scripture teaches!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jason (Cambridge, New York), January 23, 2008
Professor Geisler’s logical analysis here is outstanding. And better still, it’s true to Scripture. If you’re looking for a book that treats election with depth and coherence, I can think on no scholarly work that excels Norman’s meticulous care.
2 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Stephen (Green Bay, Bay), September 29, 2007
This book is, for lack of a better word, "silly". I can't comprehend how determinism according to God's sovereign plan through history (Geisler's view) is any different to determinism according to God's plan exercised immediately (classic Calvinist). No "real" or "ultimate" free will exists in either system.
The book itself is not terrible and the position it defends does seem almost reasonable. The reason the review is so low is because the book totally misses the point by just replacing one determinism with another and claiming that it produces "free will".
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Robb Lawson (Pensacola, FL), June 22, 2007
Geisler's book is one of the weaker works written from a dispensational view on soteriology. Perhaps it is Geisler's writing style. It's likely that it is Geisler's lack of argument that caused this to be a "so-so" read. For a more in-depth view on Revised Dispensationalism's soteriology try Charles C. Ryrie's "Basic Theology." If you are looking for something Reformed, look for Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology. I'm an ex-Calvinist but I still keep Grudem's Systematic Theology close by when I am reading theology.
The early Church Fathers believed in a free will and therefore believed in synergism. One of the reviewers, Oscar, does not appear to know this. As a Calvinist I once defended the notion that monergism was not what most of the early Church Fathers believed. Geisler makes a note of this in his book, devoting several pages to St. Augustine's belief in free will (Augustine, of course, later changed his mind about a so-called "free will"). If you would like to learn more about historic Christianity, check out Bruce Shelley's "Church History in Plain Language" and Bercot's "A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs." I purchased my copies right here at ChristianBook.com and HIGHLY recommend that you do the same.
Honestly, I cannot recommend Dr. Geisler's book. The book has its moments, but again, if you want something more in-depth try Ryrie's Basic Theology.
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