Chosen But Free: A Balanced View of Divine Election

Abundant Scriptural evidences abound in this awesome book for the moderate views of Free Will and God's Sovereignty. Ever since becoming a Christian in my early 20s, some 30 years ago, I believed what Dr. G purports in this book. But when I recently began encountering the Calvanism and Arminianism views from prominent pastors, I started to question my own beliefs. Thank you to Dr. G for his scholarly insight in strengthening my faith! He has since gone to be with our Lord, but his many and various faith-edifying books will remain for all to read and become encouraged in their Christian faith! I highly recommend this resource!

Dr. Norman Geisler is a Philosopher, a Biblical Philossopher to be sure. And as other reviewers have already mentioned, he is Thomist, which simply means his main tenets are from St. Thomas Aquinas (though he himself is thoroughly protestant). What shocks me in reading some of the reviews of CBF, is that 5-Point Calvinists have attacked him for not providing thorough exegesis of his (Geisler's) Calvinistic position. Do the 5-point Calvinists forget that 5 point Calvinism is a philosophy and NOT deep exegesis of the Scripture? I dare say that not every element of theology is determined soley through exegesis of the Scripture. For instance, it is not only from biblical exegesis that we arive at the orthodox view of the Trinity. Oh, to be sure, it is rooted in and based upong scripture. But the orthodox view (3 persons, 1 diety)is arrived at by the assumption that there one verse can not be contradicting another. There is no single passage of scripture (or even a group of them) that TEACHES TRINITARIANISM. It is a deduction based on good philosophical understanding (somethng can not be both A and Non-A at the same time in the same way) based upon a clear reading of scripture, that leads to many theological truths. THat is what the 5 point calvinists have done to come to their view. It is NOT through deep and more rigorous exegesis of the Scriptures. Please. It is what Normal Geiselr has done in this EXCELLENT book. But understand that going in. It is a philosophical determination (based on scriptural understandings) that ultimately decides the issue. And it is for all sides in the debate. If it weren't so, we wouldn't have a debate. Conservative Bible scholars would do their deep exegesis and all understand the scriptures to be teaching the same thing: 5-point calvinism, "moderate calvinism" (Geisler's view), and or Armenianism. It is often assumes that the Armenian positoin is the position of the more liberal scholars... and maybe that is true, but the MORE CONSERVATIVE view is NOT 5 point calvinism or moderate clavinism. It is something that must be decided based on critical reflection on passages, and upon the very NATURE of God. In his speaking engagements, Norman Geilser often calls himself a 0-point Calvinist. In other words, the way that the 5 point position is frequently explained (TULIP), he would disagree with each point. That is why some reviewers have labeled him a Armenianism. The "extreme Calvinist" position simply can not see that there is a world of difference between armenianism and "moderate" or 0-point Calvinism. I do agree with one reviewer who said the term "extreme Calvinism" is not a happy term to label someone with. I am not sure how Dr. Geisler settled on this term, but I recall him saying once, "We need to have a term that everyone can agree with." And at the time (before he wrote the book), he referred to the 5 point Calvinists as "Hyper-Calvinists" and he said, "That term will not do." A

This book is a clear cut easy to understand treatment of a difficult and controversial subject within the body of Christ. Dr. Geisler does not over analyze each scriptural reference but rather lets the verses speak for themselves, in context, without letting his comments or any manmade doctrines override the meaning. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would reccommend any person struggling with calvinistic issues should read it.

This book is composed in words simple enough for anyone to understand. Dr. Geisler avoids the excesses of many theologians who expound and expound on scriptural verses until the clear meaning of the Word of God is virtually obliterated. It is beautifully written and the scripture is allowed to speak for itself without being obscured by manmade doctrines.

I think many people expected Dr. Geisler to "parrot" what they already believed. When he didn't, they were upset. Geisler's book is an excellent text that shows various perspectives that Christians may have on these issues, and he clearly reveals his own position. This text is an important contribution to the overall discussion of Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Dr. Geisler is an able philosopher and theologian. Don't read this text looking to find your own position reflected so you can feel good about yourself. Read this book as student of the ongoing discussion of this issue, and learn from it.

This is a really good book. Whether you agree with Geisler or not, its a must read. Its also, a very timely book. Timely for me and some others anyways.I like this book because, it has engaged me to think in both philosophical dimensions as well as the expected theological. Many theologians seem to be unaware of the various philosophical issues that underlie their theological work. (Likewise many X-tian philosophers do not seem to have an adequate theological background to temper their philosophical work.) In Geisler, I find good handling of both philos. & theol. issues. His comments have helped me further my thoughts on Aristotle & Incontinence. Also, this book is good reading for those who come from a Reformed view of Predestination (Sproul, Gerstner, Kennedy, etc...) but were never quite able to settle with it. There was always something tailing you. Something just did not seem right. The arguements seemed just a wee bit strained, but it was all you had to go on. Anyways, Go read it !!!