The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free

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This is an outstanding book. There are many thought provoking statements made by Dr. White. It is a concise refutation of the Armenian view, and yes, Dr. Geisler is taking an Armenian position. Well done. I highly recommend it.

I regret to have to leave a less than favorable review of this book, but I must be honest. The goal of this book is to refute what Norman Geisler wrote in "Chosen, But Free," which is a book that I have not read. This book is James White's defense of what he perceived to be an attack on Calvinism. Considering this book was meant to be a defense (and I would assume meant to convince the reader that Calvinism is the correct doctrine and Geisler is either misled, or misleading people), this book has failed at its mission.

As a matter of fact, I had been reading quite a bit over the last several months regarding Calvinistic thought and a great deal of it made sense, but reading this book, I found myself agreeing far more with what Norman Geisler was being quoted as saying than with James White's refutations of Geisler's comments. As a matter of fact, White seems as though he is really stretching it to try to get the scripture to fit the doctrine that he is defending.

If you want a volume that will clearly give you the biblical tenets that undergird the Great Doctrines of Grace, then The Potter’s Freedom is the book to be bought. What makes it particularly helpful to the reader is that it is in response to the Arminian author, Dr. Norman Geisler, and his book, Chosen But Free. In page after page, White quotes Geisler directly from his book, then shows from Holy Scripture how untenable Geisler’s positions are relative to the Doctrines of Grace. What is so damaging about Geisler’s position is that he passes it off as “moderated Calvinism.” It is anything but moderated, it is down-right Arminianism of the first order. If you do not subscribe to Geisler's position, then you are viewed as an extreme Calvinist. This is a tragic mis-labeling of those who hold to the Doctrines of Grace. Apparently, if you are biblically sound, you are theologically extreme. This is why James White thoughtful response to each of the points raised by Geisler is so greatly needed and so greatly appreciated by the thoughtful readership who will take up these books to read.

The Potter's Freedom is a masterpiece! James White takes you back to the Bible, not to man's depraved opinion. I appreciate his loving words concerning Dr. Geisler in the introduction to the book. The book itself is easy to read and presents a clear exposition of what the Reformed community believes. Dr. White accurately presents the whole counsel of God. Anyone who reads this book will see that God's work of redemption was an act of love and pure grace!

This book is a very easy read and well formatted piece. White does a good job of rebutting the poorly written and ill-examined writings of Giesler. White does a fine job of presenting the historical view of the Doctrines of Grace. I would recommend those who have made the mistake of reading Giesler's work to pick up a copy of The Potter's Freedom.

As far as the formation of theology goes, it is what the Bible says that matters. This book is biblically saturated. It may come across to some as a bit devisive, but I think the intention is to communicate truth. My encouragement to all is to please read the Bible first, other books second and let your will be conformed to the teachings of Scipture. If you are interested in this debate then buy this book and read it.

I have been fence sitting on this issue, never really considering it a critical one. But after hearing audio debates between Mr. White & Dave Hunt my interest was kindled, so I bought the Potter's Freedom. Though I can understand, somewhat, the charge of eliteism, I was stunned to see the Arminian reliance on human reasoning instead of biblical truth. If man can have a free will, why can't God? Is God man's slave to any whim man makes? Read Mr. Geisler's "Chosen but Free", along with this book and "choose" for yourself. God's thoughts are not our thoughts.

James White has again proven himself to be divisive to the Evangelical church. If one listens to just a sample of the tone of his comments on his web site concerning those who oppose Calvinism it becomes crystal clear that he is blatantly unloving. It is as if his reformed sympathizers and him alone can exegete Scripture properly. We are made to believe that James White has a superior knowledge of soteriology and Greek exegesis. Everyone who disagrees with his theological system simply does not understand reformed doctrine. This is elitism in the shrewdest sense! What ever happened to dialog with gentleness and kindness in Christian love? Even if he were correct on his interpretation of Scripture, he should be discredited for his unbiblical harshness! Well, to say one thing of the book, it does not even present an exegesis of 2 Peter 2:1. The verse that has never been sufficiently answered by Calvinists. The Greek work for bought in this verse is the same word in 1 Cor 6:20, both referring to the redemptive element in Christ’s atonement. It clearly demonstrates that Christ died for the false prophets as well as for believers. If you are interested in this doctrine, read the book for reference, but beware you will find one of the greatest Christian Apologist’s of our time treated very disrespectfully.

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