Customer Reviews for Calvary Press The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Calvary Press The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Geisler's Chosen but Free sparked a firestorm of controversy when he labeled Calvinism "theologically inconsistent, philosophically insufficient, and morally repugnant." White steps into the breach with his cogent response. His systematic refutation of Geisler's argument will help you understand what the Reformed faith really teaches about divine election and how Reformed thought conforms to the gospel. 337 pages, softcover from Calvary Press.
Average Customer Rating:
(23 Reviews) 23
Rating Snapshot (23 reviews)
5 stars
17
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
2
1 star
3
1 out of 1100%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Review 1 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Foundational regarding the Doctrines of Grace
Date:May 17, 2012
PastorStephen
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This is a great book. White consistently appeals to Scripture to support his claims as a constant reminder that the Doctrines of Grace are biblical. There is a good continuity throughout the book unified about the theme of God's freedom. I would heartily recommend this to anyone who loves God and believes the Bible is true.
Share this review:
+2points
3of 4voted this as helpful.
Review 2 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:July 7, 2010
Scott
This is an awesome book,as is most of Dr. Whites books and teachings. N. Geislers does what all non- biblical teachers do and gives their opinion of what they think! Dr.White just gives you the Bible!! GODS WORD!!! (Sola Scripture) If we are HIS than we must take His word (the bible) for what it says (ALL of it) instead of what our opinion of what we think it should say. GOD is NOT INTERESTED in OUR opinions, of His word!!! People really shouldn't get so angry because GOD made Dr. White so smart!!! It was predestined to happen!!
Share this review:
+3points
8of 13voted this as helpful.
Review 3 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:November 12, 2008
Brian Burzynski
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.
Share this review:
+3points
6of 9voted this as helpful.
Review 4 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:February 2, 2008
Avid Reader
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.<br /><br />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.
Share this review:
-5points
12of 29voted this as helpful.
Review 5 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:January 24, 2008
Pastor Creth D Hopkins
If you want a volume that will clearly give you the biblical tenets that undergird the Great Doctrines of Grace, then The Potters 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 Geislers positions are relative to the Doctrines of Grace.What is so damaging about Geislers 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.
Share this review:
+1point
6of 11voted this as helpful.
Review 6 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:October 10, 2005
Stephen P. Kingman
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!
Share this review:
+1point
3of 5voted this as helpful.
Review 7 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:July 14, 2005
Reverend Kelly Bryan David
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.
Share this review:
-1point
2of 5voted this as helpful.
Review 8 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:January 5, 2004
Daniel
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.
Share this review:
+3points
4of 5voted this as helpful.
Review 9 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:October 22, 2003
James Ritchlin
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.
Share this review:
+4points
6of 8voted this as helpful.
Review 10 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:February 23, 2003
Greg
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 Christs 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 Apologists of our time treated very disrespectfully.
Share this review:
-1point
6of 13voted this as helpful.
Review 11 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:December 3, 2002
Joseph E. Torres
James White is possibly the most forceful teacher of the Reformed faith today. I picked up this book originally after reading the White/ Bryson written debate in the CRI journal. I truly wanted to believe that what Bryson was saying was right. But as I continued the pour over the Scriptures cited in the debate it leap out at me that Bryson only provided a handful on verses to support his view. As for White, he used scripture after scripture, presented in context after context. This is much what the Potter's freedom is like. Taking on Norman Geisler on this matter, White clearly presents the consistency of the doctrine of election presented by the Reformers. I had been reading books and articles regarding predestination for several weeks before picking up this title. But, this was the clincher. I thank God for this book, is has greatly shaped my passion for God and my desire to speak to others about the Gospel. If had to recommend only one book on the topic on predestination it would be this book. The only reason it beats out Sproul's Chosen by God and Boetnner's Reformed Doctrine of Predestination is due to White's EXEGETICAL presentations and rebuttals to common attacks on Reformed theology.
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 12 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:September 30, 2002
Marshall
Anyone who reads "The Potter's Freedom" with even a partly open mind will see that White absolutely destroys Geisler's "moderate Calvinism," which is nothing more than Arminianism with Perseverence of the Saints tagged on. As far as Geisler's rebuttal in the 2nd edition of "Chosen But Free," there is no critical agruments against White and most of all, no meaningful exegesis, actual interaction with biblical text instead of merely philosophical assumptions read into texts. I recommend "The Potter's Freedom" to anyone interested in an honest argument between classical Reformed thought and Arminianism. White simply allows the biblical teaching of God's sovereignty, like light, to expose to unbilical view of man's sovereign will.
Share this review:
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 13 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:June 15, 2002
Jay
I gobbled up Geisler's CBF book and spent hours debating and using it as a source against some of my Reformed friends. Then I read White's book and I will admit my thinking has somewhat changed...after much review I must say that Geisler book is tried and found very wanting (although he is one of my favorite apologist). P.S. I wonder if the guy from Charlotte, NC who attacks White so strongly goes to Southern Evangelical Seminary where Geisler teaches? Makes you think huh....
Share this review:
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Review 14 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:May 30, 2002
Eug
This book is stunning for it's inaccurate portrayal of Biblical Christianity after White's other excellent books, "The King James Only Controversy" and "Roman Catholic Controversy." He falaciously attempts to equate Arminianism to Roman Catholicism when in truth Calvinism is an offshoot of the most repugnant Roman Catholic error, Augustinianism. Augustine seems to be Calvin's patron saint in his "Institutes" and Luther was an Augustinian monk weened on the "great" Catholic doctor's writings. I have not yet read Geisler's rebuttal of White in the newest version of CBF, but will likely purchase it and give away my first ed. Dave Hunt shoots down a number of White's arguments in his new book "What Love is This: Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God." You will find this book at CBD under the subtitle.
Share this review:
-8points
4of 16voted this as helpful.
Review 15 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:May 8, 2002
Mike Bradley
Dr. Geisler owes his Reformed brethren an apology for distorting (intentionally or unintentionally) their beliefs and presenting his own patently Arminian-esque views as "moderate Calvinism", which is, as many have already pointed out, anything but. As far as I know, such an apology has not been forthcoming, but it is certainly called for. I haven't read CBF, but I read TPF and the many quotes White provides from Geisler's work are quite simply jaw-dropping and atrocious. I for one will bet that Geisler was feeling none too jolly after this refutation came out. TPF does an excellent job of not only flattening CBF like an armadillo on a Texas highway, but is also a very good and easy to understand general overview of the five points of Calvinism from someone who actually understands what he's talking about. Highly recommended.
Share this review:
0points
2of 4voted this as helpful.
Review 16 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:May 2, 2002
Gary Osborne
Unfortunately this is just another typical defense of Calvinism that utterly fails to deal with the real problems of this hideous misrepresentation of the God of the Bible. As sincere as Mr. White surely is, his exegesis is wanting thru-out this book. As is usually the case with these type of books, White STARTS with the premise of Calvinism and then force feeds it into every scripture. This book is only worthwhile to those who already embrace Calvinism. It will do nothing to convince the honest seeker because it fails in it's biased presuppositions.
Share this review:
-8points
2of 12voted this as helpful.
Review 17 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:March 17, 2002
Robert
It is sort of funny to see the reviewer below me accuse James White of bad exegesis. It was in fact honest and faithful exegesis by James White that prompted me to embrace the Reformed Faith. For a good example of this, listen to James Whites debate with Dave Hunt at straitgate.com.I have not read Dr Giesler's book, so my review may be a little one sided, but I do recommend The Potters Freedom. Be open minded and don't simply say to your self, "I hate Calvinism." The Reformation was born out of the Reformed Faith, not the later Arminians or "Moderate Calvinists." In my opinion Arminianism in what ever form, is simply mans effort to place within himself the last say as to who gets saved. The Reformed Faith is the only system that can honestly take Jesus' words in John 6:44: "No man can come to me, unless the Father who sent me draws him"
Share this review:
+1point
3of 5voted this as helpful.
Review 18 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:February 28, 2002
Michael Thayer
James White belongs to a clique of theological snobs that defend extreme Augustinianism, shun real biblical exegesis, and most of all embrace antinomies and logical fallacies to defend their system. The Potter's Freedom was written for the sole purpose to attack and shame a faithful servant of God, Dr. Norman Geisler and it fails miserably. Geisler's "Chosen But Free" clears up the differences between hard-shell Calvinism and moderate Calvinism. The former variety attempts to press antinomies upon your mind such as: "you are saved by faith alone, but a faith that is not alone;" "Works are not meritorious for eternal life but they are essential to eternal life;" "You are completely dead in sin and a spiritual corpse so you cannot believe the Gospel as a totally depraved sinner, but you must repent and seek (that is perform an operational act as a 'lively' corpse) for God's mercy to receive the new birth;" "You were chosen by God from the foundation of the world but 'fell out of God' when Adam sinned and then were chosen again -- (eternally loved, reprobated, then finally loved IF you persevere of course). The last example ironically is radical Arminianism - the ultimate separation from God's eternal love. This position is what every consistent hard-shell Calvinist must embrace for they cannot live within their own theological system.Avoid White. He does not faithfully exegete Scripture but rather maps Scripture to the late Augustianian/hardshell Calvinist party line. White (recently anyway) makes a living by attacking God's faithful servants. The Potter's Freedom as Dave Hunt's new title so accurately states (available March 2002) is a misrepresentation of the God of the Bible. Dr. Geisler's book "Chosen But Free" (available at CBD of course) is a marvelous work -- buy it and clear up the confusion between the unbiblical hard shell Calvinism and the biblical variety -- moderate Calvinism.
Share this review:
-6points
2of 10voted this as helpful.
Review 19 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:October 17, 2001
In his characteristically thorough style, Dr. White reveals that Norman Geisler's offensive against reformed soteriology in his book, "Chosen but Free," is based on a peculiar and spurious philosophical theory, rather than on solid biblical exegesis. In "The Potter's Freedom," Dr. White rolls up his sleeves and does the exegetical work that is lacking in Dr. Geisler's book. The result is a marvelous defense and affirmation of what Dr. White refers to as the free and proper kingship of God.
Share this review:
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 20 for The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
Overall Rating:
Date:July 31, 2001
David Hughes
Dr. White does more than respond to Dr. Geisler's book. He presents the doctrines of grace in a clear and articulate manner. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with these weighty theological issues.
Share this review:
+1point
2of 3voted this as helpful.