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

James R. White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2000

What is Dr. Geisler warning the Christian community about in his book, Chosen But Free"? A new cult? Secularism? False prophesy scenarios? No. Dr. Geisler is sounding the alarm about a system of beliefs commonly called "Calvinism." He insists that this belief system is "theologically inconsistent, philosophically insufficient, and morally repugnant." This book is written as a reply to Dr. Geisler, but is much more; it is a defense of the very principles upon which the Protestant Reformation was founded.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

<div>James White is one of the most prolific Christian apologists today. He has pubically debated cult members as will as heretical Christians sects.</div>

Product Details

• Paperback: 338 pages
• Publisher: Calvary Press; Revised edition (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879737434
• ISBN-13: 978-1879737433
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much Needed work among modern day writings, July 29, 2000

By 

Nick Cato "nickyak" (Staten Island, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and the Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free (Paperback)

I've read all the other amazon reviews AFTER reading this book, and I feel that the point James White is trying to make is simple: Too many Christians believe that "their own" faith is saving them, and not the faith of Christ that is given to them regardless of what man does (Romans 9:16). No man could even believe in God unless God first draws him...and this fact is rarely, if ever, preached or taught today. In that light, the book, though slow at times, is much needed in our present day of wishy-washy, "feel good" books that cluter Christian book stores: It's the entire heart of the true gospel. When Christians earnestly study the doctrines of predestination / election, their assurance will be strengthened like never before. Unfaithful study in this area leads to hate and prideful opinions that are not scriptural. Man hates to hear that he can do NOTHING to save himself. It's no wonder that many of James White's books (as well as many of the re-printed works of the puritans and Calvin) are so ignored and hated: they preach the doctrines of grace without compromise.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I think I may just be a Calvinist..., October 4, 2010

By 

Victoria Shephard "Newbirth" (San Francisco Bay Area, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and the Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free (Paperback)

...after reading this book.

I bought Chosen But Free (by Norman Geisler) hoping to find a good rebuttal to Calvinist doctrine so I could continue holding to my free will theology. Boy was I disappointed! Not only is his terminology offputting, but his clear hatred of the Reformed tradition shines through. On top of that, his arguments left much to be desired. I struggled through what part I could read, and couldn't finish it. He'd cite a verse to support his conclusion, and I'd look the verse up only to find it didn't say anything close to what he claimed. It was frustrating to say the least.

After that I decided to read "The Potter's Freedom." This is an excellent book even if you have never picked up "Chosen But Free". It answered many of the questions I have had, and did so in a way that didn't want to make me run away screaming. I know some Calvinsts who's presentation of the very same facts make me want to scream, or simply tune them out.

Dr. White is NOT like that. He presents his arguments based on the Biblical texts, but does so in a way that attracts you instead of repels you. I found myself getting a whole new perspective on God and His mercy that just made me so thrilled with what I was learning that I wanted to run out and share it with everyone. I can no longer hold to Arminian theology after reading this.

I don't usually give a book 5 stars, but this book earns every one of them. It's also spurred me to look into the topic more deeply and I'm deciding what to read next.

69 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A hot topic for the times, December 23, 2000

By 

E. Johnson (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and the Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free (Paperback)

The differences between Calvinism and Arminianism have been debated even before Calvin and Arminius. From Augustine to Pelagius to now White and Geisler, the issue of sovereignty versus free will has been debated. In fact, to say that this is an emotionally-charged issue is, quite frankly, an understatement. White is a good apologist who has served the Christian community well with his exegetical books on issues from Mormonism to the Trinity. He attempts to answer the points made by Norman Geisler, a scholar who has written many of the books sitting on my shelves, in Chosen But Free. Geisler had chosen the best of Calvinism and mixed the ideas with some of the more appealing Arminian ideas. Needless to say, this formula has pretty much riled up the Calvinists (including White) because they resent his calling his position a "moderate" Calvinist view. To White and others like him, it's an all-or-nothing proposition. (I guess to have this as a rock-solid premise means that there's never any middle ground on an issue. For instance, should the Bible always be read literally or symbolically? Could there perhaps be a middle ground depending on the context of the passage?) Regardless, White's position is that Geisler's system is severely flawed.

Several things ought to be known when reading Potter's Freedom:

1) Whether you consider yourself a Calvinist or Arminian, you ought to take an "open view" when reading Geisler's book first and then Potter's Freedom. Try to leave your presuppositions at the door and let the writers do their best to convince you of their positions. 2) Realize that The Potter's Freedom enjoyed the "last word" on this subject as it had the chnace to attack Geisler's views without a chance of rejoinder. Therefore, I call upon both James White and Norman Geisler to come together for the last segment of a "trilogy" and put together a book that gives a chance of response for each position. This would be more fair. 3) Above all, let Christian charity reign. We have too many battles out there--a world that needs Jesus, whether you are Calvinist or Arminian--to spill so much blood on what has to be considered a secondary, or peripheral, issue. Sure, this issue is very important, but which camp would say that they cannot fellowship with those who belong to the other "side"? Please, let's not turn this issue into the defintion of what makes a person a Christian.

Several minor complaints about Potter's Freedom. White likes to gather quotes from Christian leaders and influential thinkers and put their comments on the back cover as well as on several inside pages. This book includes more than 30 quotes from people such as Jay Adams, George Grant, and Daniel Wallace. Despite having used Geisler's blurbs for several other of his back covers, for some reason White does not include Geisler's recommendation on Potter's Freedom. (I wonder what Geisler would have written?) Perhaps White forgot to ask Geisler to write a blurb for this new book. In all seriousness, perhaps White ought to ask Bethany House (his usual publisher who, quite ironically, put out Chosen But Free) to delete Geisler's blurbs in future editions of White's books, as they look out of place now in light of Potter's Freedom.

One other suggestion: Although this does not make his position right (or wrong, for that matter), the typeface of The Potter's Freedom is very difficult for older eyes to read. For some reason, it was printed too light--it needs to be much darker with a different, more readable font. Also, there were at least a dozen grammatical/spelling errors that I caught. The next edition needs the perusal of a quality editor, something White has over at Bethany House.

Restating my position, I recommend that you read the two books and debate the issues in your own mind and within your own circles. If you are like me, this will require you to do some very heady thinking. Geisler and White may certainly stretch many of your preconceived notions, if you will allow them to do so. And I think you will be a better Christian for it.