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

White's response to Chosen But Free. In general, Geisler's book was warmly received by everyday laypeople, but critically received by scholars. Because Geisler is well respected (even by people who are dismayed by Chosen But Free), an entire book was considered needful. A few observations: much of the criticism is that Geisler has misrepresented calvinism. I'm intrigued that misrepresenting Scripture seems to be a secondary focus, which is backwards to me, and fits my unscholarly assessment that many calvinists are more devoted to Calvin than Scripture. Not all, of course. But White doesn't help the cause, from my perspective. It is an able defense of reformed doctrine, and will be helpful for those looking for a readable discussion of show more a reformed response to nonreformed arguments. show less

When I read Geisler's Chosen but Free, I was astonished. My wife actually asked me to stop reading it, since it was making me angry. And it was making me angry because we had such a solid and respected Christian brother jumping into a debate that he didn't even understand. It was clear from the first chapter that he didn't really know what Calvinism was teaching, and yet he was attacking it.

White's response is wonderfully thorough and carefully documented. White examines Geisler's beliefs, his sources, and his wording, not to tear down Geisler, but to try to present a fair and Bible-based presentation of Calvinism, something Geisler did not do.

Geisler wrote a bad book, but I wouldn't tell people not to read it. Read it! Read it, and show more then take a look at what White says. I think more Calvinists will be the result.

If you have not read Geisler's book, I think this one will still be understandable, though there are other works on Reformed Theology that may be a better start.

Just please don't fall into the trap that Geisler did -- letting your traditions dictate how you read the Bible, and therefore end up twisting Scripture and other sources alike (as well as misrepresenting your opposition) just to defend it. show less

The Potter’s Freedom is a potent, yet irenic, attack on man-centered soteriology. Written on a non-technical level, TPF systematically responds to the arguments set forth by Geisler against historic Calvinistic theology.
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Read this first, rather than Debating Calvinism. If you get a chance, read Geisler's book first, then this work makes a whole lot of sense. But, even if you read this by itself, it is well worth it.

A response to Norman Geisler's "Chosen But Free".