Chosen But Free

Chosen But Free

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Editorial Reviews

Is God in Control, or Do We have a Choice? The seemingly endless debate between Calvinism and Arminianism continues to make its rounds throughout the Christian community. Polarized beliefs have dominated and divided the theological landscape of the twentieth century, while many observers wonder, "Does it really make a difference?" Chosen But Free answers with a resounding yes. But rather than pitting one strong perspective against another, this brilliant work presents a cogent and sensible moderate view, providing readers with one of the first books that convincingly affirms both the sovereignty and foreknowledge of God and the human responsibility to either receive or reject Him. Includes a response to The Potter's Freedom by James R. White. The Definitive Work on the Relationship Between Divine Election and Human Choice.

Customer Reviews

comfortable with antinomy

Reviewed by W. Anderson, 2009-11-19

Dr. Geisler has analyzed some basic problems with the TULIP and it's interpretation by many in the reformed churches. God IS all-loving and the Fall did not destroy God's image but effaced it. God does desire the salvation of all. (All persons) I am pleased that this book came in to my hands.

avoiding the obvious

Reviewed by R. Bordeman, 2009-11-03

I like Norman Geisler and many other "moderate Calvinist" but it's still amazing to me how they ignore what is so obvious in Scripture. Man has a will, but it is NOT ultimately self-determining. Behind man's will is God's will. Man can resist the Holy Spirit but only until God says 'enough' and 'convinces' him thru the new heart he is given from being Born Again. Are you saying God can not convince you if he really wanted to?! Calvinist have never argued men aren't free to make decisions. But behind your thoughts and emotions is God, and he WILL accomplish his goal.

If Christ literally paid for the sins of every person on earth...why does anyone go to hell? Please don't say "because they rejected Him". Rejecting the command to "Love the Lord your God" is a sin. Why isn't that particular sin paid for?

Also, Romans 9, John 5, etc are crystal clear. God chooses some for wrath and others for mercy regardless of what man does or will do. It seems to me that non-calvinist types just don't see this act of God as good news. However, it is great news once you realize how blinded your will was to seeing God in a way that brings repentence and faith. BTW, foreknowledge never implies "I know that you're going to repent and believe so I'll ratify your decision and elect you". That mocks the very idea of "I chose you, you did not choose me".

Please people, a God that can only "use you" once you give him permission is not God at all. He will use you for His glory regardless...and it won't be a reaction to your choosing Him or not.

Lastly, I wonder why people find it so hard to believe God would give us a comand we couldn't obey using just our own 'free will'. Every single comand ever given we are incapable of doing on our own. "Do not sin" comes to mind. There must be something special about you if you're able to respond to God's offer but the next guy was just not "quiet there". Let the boasting begin, at least in theory it's true, you saved yourself by responding in time (before death). However, when God initiates and completes the 'heart change' in you, all you want to do is "repent and believe". And there is absolutely NO room for self credit when that heart change is accomplished solely by the Holy Spirit. He will overcome your resistence if that is his ultimate desire.

Yes, many questions still unadressed. I grew up Assemblies of God with zero doctrinal teaching...but once I saw the Scripture texts myself, it was all over. (and even this revealing is 100% due to God's mercy - I struggled hard with issues God's Sovereignty cleared up)

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Balanced View

Reviewed by Christine Mclaughlin, 2009-09-20

Though Geisler states that he is a "moderate Calvinist", he presents a balanced view of God's sovereignty and man's free will. Geisler explains the extreme views of both Calvinism and Arminianism, as well as the moderate views of each. He quotes Scripture extensively for each of these views, unlike some theologians who quote selective Scriptures to "prove" their own point.

I am not a Calvinist, nor an Arminian. These are human labels, which seek to explain a mystery we cannot fully understand. I believe it was Charles Spurgeon who, when asked how he reconciles God's sovereignty and man's free will, said, "You do not have to reconcile friends."

This is an excellent resource for every thinking Christian's library. I cannot recommend it enough!

Excellent read so far

Reviewed by John Wolf, 2009-08-12

I am reading through this book and thus far its been an excellent read. Geisler does a good job at debunking the Reformed system and interpretations and finding holes in its interpretations. Sadly many extreme (hyper) Calvinists are far more extreme than Calvin himself. Calvin did not believe in Limited Atonement and only Calvinists who do not read the scriptures in their context, but want the scriptures to fit their system would come to such an unbiblical conclusion. The scriptures are filled with rebuffs of Limited Atonement (1 Jn 2:2, John 3:16, 1 Tim 4:10, 2 Pet 2:1,etc). Extreme Calvinists also hold to a view of Total Depravity that states that the ability to choose God is completely destroyed. Geisler refutes that interpretation and the verses used to support it by extreme Calvinists. I think the Bible is quite clear in Isa 55 and other passages that the sinner has a choice to follow God or follow self, and many have chosen to follow self. On page 120 Geisler has a chart of the differences between extreme & moderate Calvinism. Geisler himself is a moderate Calvinist and sadly many of his critics do not know this or choose to ignore this fact. In chapter 8 Geisler explains the severe consequences that result from extreme Calvinists, and one of these consequences is the Calvinists failure to take responsibility for his/her actions. Geisler includes a quote by Spurgeon who himself speaks against extreme Calvinists. On page 141 Geisler reveals another negative consequence by the extreme Calvinist and this is a loss of a love for soul winning. Having also interacted with many Reformed, I can agree that many are not very big on soul winning (sadly). To get excited about soul winning check out the book "Share Jesus without Fear." There is much much more I could include in this review and may modify the review and add more as I come to finishing the book. In the appendix section contains a rebuttal of the book "The Potters Freedom" by James White. Geisler fully states that White misunderstands his view, commits many logical fallacies, sidesteps the big picture, and does quite a bit of name calling. Having personally interacted with some Reformed who hold to extreme Calvinism, I can concur that sadly many of them are like this and very dogmatic for their position.

In the book "Not by Chance" by Layton Talbert in Appendix E writes "There is a vast amount of truth about God to which we do not have access and which we are simply not big enough to comprehend. The secret things still belong to the Lord"(264). Extreme Calvinist think they logically have the secrete things of God figured out, which they do not as both Geisler and Talbert explain in their works.

Don't waste your money

Reviewed by Shane D. Anderson, 2008-06-03

Geisler's book is full of misrepresentations and is overall a poor resource for understanding what the Scriptures have to say about human will and divine sovereignty.