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This
new work, a 340-page response to Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free, has been
published by Calvary Press. You can order your copy right now: Click here.
We have been overwhelmed at the response of the reviewers.The many endorsements listed below come from scholars, pastors, and those
involved in ministry all across our nation and beyond. We have arranged the
endorsements so that they appear in alphabetical order. At the end of the initial
list we have begun to add comments as they have come in after the release of the book.
The breadth represented by the following statements
demonstrates that The Potter's Freedom transcends narrow denominational
barriers and represents a wide spectrum of Reformed belief. We are very thankful for all the
support the work is receiving.
The Potter's Freedom is a more than adequate response to
the misleading and erroneous book, Chosen but Free by Norman
Geisler. Indeed, it
is a fresh and helpful statement of true Calvinism over against a system purporting to be
"Calvinistic" which is really nothing more than a brand of
Arminianism. This
book should be widely disseminated and read as it will clarify much that is often
misunderstood about Calvinism.
Jay Adams, Ph.D., Westminster Seminary,
Escondido, California
When Martin Luther wrote his Bondage of the Will in
response to Erasmus’ Diatribe on Free-will, he pointedly addressed Erasmus
in the Introduction, declaring that the book “…struck me as so worthless and
poor that my heart went out to you for having defiled your lovely, brilliant flow of
language with such vile stuff. I thought it outrageous to convey material of so low a
quality in the trappings of such rare eloquence; it is like using gold or silver dishes to
carry garden rubbish or dung.”
Sadly, as exhibited by Norman Geisler’s Chosen But Free, Erasmus was not the
last learned man to use his tremendous literary capacities for such ignoble purposes. But
God often uses assaults upon gospel truth as the occasion for mighty reaffirmations of the
very truths under assault. I thank God that He has done just that in the publication of
James White’s excellent book, The Potter’s Freedom. It is a
comprehensive refutation of Geisler’s Frankenstein-like creation, which he names,
“moderate Calvinism.” White makes a clear, compassionate and compelling case for
the historic Christian faith (nicknamed evangelical Calvinism) that is Biblically
saturated, exegetically sound, and theologically as straight as an arrow. I believe it
will prove to be historically significant and am confident that it will not be met with a
competent response. I heartily commend this fine work to all lovers of the cause of the
Triune God and of His Truth.
Bill Ascol, Chairman of the Board, Southern Baptist Founders Ministries, Shreveport,
LA
James White combines sound biblical exegesis, theological erudition,
and a deep passion for truth in his able rebuttal to Norman Geisler's Chosen but Free.
I am grateful that The Potter's Freedom powerfully exposes Geisler's
inconsistencies and shows that his self-labeled "moderate Calvinism" is no
Calvinism at all. The Potter's Freedom has far-reaching consequences for any
serious student of Reformed theology, for Geisler is not a lone ranger in promoting
historic Reformed theology as "extreme Calvinism" and
Semi-pelagianism as
"moderate Calvinism." I pray that God may use this book abundantly to remove
many caricatures about the Reformed faith and to move many to embrace unabashedly solid,
Reformed convictions.
Dr. Joel R. Beeke, Author, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand
Rapids, Michigan
In his defense of Reformed theology, James White
provides a refreshingly accurate and objective representation. White delivers a
blow-by-blow refutation focusing solely on the exegesis of key passages, avoiding
philosophical assertions, while Dr. Norman Geisler leaps out of his area and swims in
unfamiliar waters in his treatment of Reformed theology.
Edward L.
Dalcour, President, Department of
Christian Defense
C. H. Spurgeon once said that "there seems to
be an inveterate prejudice in the human mind against" the doctrine of predestination.
A brief review of Norman Geisler's disappointing book Chosen But Free confirms
the rightness of Spurgeon's judgment. But however uncomfortable is the doctrine of God's
sovereign freedom to our rebellious, finite minds, this much must be said: it is
indisputably biblical. For this reason and more, James White's The Potter's Freedom
is to be welcomed. Truth, to be fully understood and appreciated, needs to be set forth
positively and negatively. It needs to be expounded and then contrasted with error. That
is precisely what White does in this response to Dr. Geisler's recent attack on the
doctrines of grace.
Now we live in a day and age uniquely uncomfortable with the idea of
absolute truth and even more uncomfortable with polemics (that is, theological criticism,
argument and debate). Yet precisely because of the spirit of our age, we need Christians
who are willing to delineate truth and error, and explain why they matter. Hence, we are
indebted to White for his painstaking analysis and rebuttal of this latest form of
semi-Arminianism. Make no mistake - White has the best of this argument and when he's
done, the anti-Calvinist position is not left with so much as a shred of biblical
justification. May the Lord of the Church use this work to confirm his precious, gracious,
saving truth in the hearts of his people.
J. Ligon Duncan III, PhD, Minister, First
Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi, USA, Adjunct Professor, Reformed Theological
Seminary, Editorial Director, Reformed Academic Press
If you want to know what Calvinists don't believe,
read Geisler's Chosen But Free. But to understand Calvinism as a lucid and
coherent whole, and as a truly biblical construct in the face of its antagonists, read
White's The Potter's Freedom. Piece by piece, James White dissects the flawed
arguments of Geisler's misnamed "moderate Calvinism," which is in fact a very
common breed of Arminianism. I am under no illusion that Geisler will wave the white
flag on this one, but every honest reader of this book will know that he should.
Jim
Elliff, President, Christian Communicators
Worldwide, Resident Consultant, Midwestern Center for Biblical Revival, Kansas City,
Missouri
James White's The Potter's Freedom is a modern Antidote
to Arminianism. His devastating rebuttal to Geisler's Chosen But Free
is a clearly expressed, logically coherent, biblically faithful alternative to a theology
which halts between two opinions. White not only effectively presents the case for the
absolute sovereignty of God but demonstrates Geisler's tendency to faulty research,
partial citations, and fallacious argumentation. If you desire to better understand the
ways of God with man, this is the book for you.
Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., Th.D., Bahnsen Theological Seminary, Placentia, CA
Lest any reader be misled, this book is not really about Norman
Geisler. Nor is it even about the good doctor's miscomprehension of the nature
of providence. Rather, it is primarily about the person, character, and prerogative
of the Sovereign God. In that regard, James White has rendered us all good service.
George Grant, Author, President, Bannockburn College, Franklin, TN
A blurb on the back cover of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free
boasts that it is "the definitive work on the relationship between divine election
and human choice." One would not have expected anything less from a seminary
professor of Dr. Geisler's stature and reputation.
Unfortunately, Chosen But Free is a disappointment. More than a mere
letdown, actually. It is a stunningly inept treatment of the subject it undertakes. Dr.
Geisler manages to misrepresent his friends and foes alike. He utterly mangles the
doctrines of divine sovereignty, election, and free will--and in the process he obscures
and redefines the historical positions of both Calvinism and
Arminianism. The reader who
has the regrettable persistence to follow Dr. Geisler to the last page of his work is
certain to be hopelessly befuddled at the end of the effort.
The fact is, if Dr. Geisler were not a teacher of such stature, there would be no reason
at all to pay any attention to his book. It is a bad book by any measure.
Nevertheless, it is obvious that the book is having a widespread impact among
evangelicals--especially lay readers. Hardly a week goes by that someone doesn't ask me
about Geisler's book, and especially Geisler's fatuous claim that the position set forth
in his book deserves the label "moderate Calvinism."
That's why I am very grateful for James White's careful, patient, and thorough response to
Geisler in The Potter's Freedom. Dr. White meticulously unravels the
near-hopeless tangle Geisler has made of these doctrines, skillfully
employing both
Scripture and his solid grasp of historical theology to make the truth unmistakably clear.
In answering Geisler, Dr. White has produced one of the finest explanations of the
doctrines of grace and the sovereignty of God that has seen publication in recent years. I
hope this important book will reach a wide audience.
Phillip R. Johnson, Executive Director, Grace To You, Elder, Grace Community Church,
Sun Valley, California
James White's work, The Potter's Freedom, evidences
unusually good exegetical and theological insight into some of the greatest themes of the
Bible touching our Lord's work of salvation, themes that Geisler has abused, maltreated
and generally
misunderstood (for example, Geisler attempts to make a case for a conditional
unconditional election!), such as the biblical doctrines of man under sin, divine election
and the sovereignty of God in salvation. With a keener grasp of systematic theology and
exegesis of the text of Scripture White has taken Geisler to the theological woodshed!
S. Lewis Johnson, Jr. ThD, Former Prof. of New Testament & Systematic Theololgy at
Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas & Former Prof. of Bible & Systematic
Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois
There are few authors today who are able to write
with a burning passion for truth, tempered by a charitable spirit towards those with whom
one disagrees. Having achieved that balance, Dr. White’s contribution to the defense
of Reformed soteriology is both sound and timely. His biblical exegesis of all the
relevant passages, together with the misrepresentations he corrects, is secured by
detailed analysis and demonstrates convincingly to the fair-minded reader that every true
believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has nothing of which to boast but in the freedom of the
Potter.
David King, Pastor, Dayspring Presbyterian
Church, Forsyth, Georgia
The Potter's Freedom has the character of
God-glorifying argument, because with the Bible it dismantles careless theological error
by patiently explaining the text of Scripture. This vigorous defense of the Reformation
exposes the widening gap, and the growing hostility, between "evangelicalism"
and classic confessional Protestant Christianity. Synergism may wear a happy face, but it
proclaims a hollow "gospel." Written in the context of high-profile
rapprochement between evangelicals and Catholics, and between Lutherans and Romanists, Dr.
White turns up the lights to show us the real struggle, namely, the fundamentally
religious contest between divine sovereignty and human ability. Our salvation comes either
from God or from man. And in terms of both Bible teaching and human experience, this is
where everything starts--and ends.
Nelson D.
Kloosterman, Th.D., Professor of
Ethics and New Testament, Mid-America Reformed Seminary, Dyer, Indiana
Many of us, who have otherwise profited from the writings of Dr.
Norman Geisler, have been grieved by his hapless attempt to harmonize Calvinism and
Arminianism. With the skill of a surgeon, Dr. James R. White dissects Geisler's arguments
and reveals them to be based on convoluted thinking, inconsistencies, and
misinterpretations of Scripture. I pray that this book shall have a wide audience, not
just as a definitive rebuttal to Geisler, but also as a helpful exposition of the
Calvinisim/Arminianism debate.
Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor, Moody Church, Chicago
Dr. Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free is a
straw man argument against Reformation theology. He mislabels true Calvinism as
"extreme Calvinism" and misnames his own blatant Arminianism as "moderate
Calvinism." The theological world is confusing enough without Dr. Geisler's inept
contribution. It is obvious that he does not understand what he attempts to refute. In The
Potter's Freedom, Reformed Baptist scholar Dr. James R. White has done the church a
great service by exposing Dr. Geisler's faulty work and by positively providing an
exegetcally sound, historically accurate, and theologically precise apology for Reformed
theology. White's work is readable to the layman, worthy for the seminary, and will become
a classic refutation of supposed "moderate Calvinist" views today which are
usually a misinformed Arminianism. What is at stake? A God who is working hard to save all
He can, dependant upon man's will (Geisler's view), versus a God who will save all He
wills to save by freeing man from the bondage of his own will (White's view). Dr. White
actually exegetes Scripture to establish his view as the correct one.
Pastor Fred Malone, Author, A String of Pearls
Unstrung
A comparison of Norman Geisler's book, Chosen But Free,
with James White's book, The Potter's Freedom, reveals two observations. First,
Geisler's book is one of demagoguery, propaganda, and an embarrassing lack of accurate
scholarship, while White's book is one of careful and scholarly exegesis of the Bible,
coupled with a convincing exposition and defense of the Reformed Faith (i.e., the Biblical
Faith) from misrepresentation and caricature. Second, James White effectively
distinguishes Norman Geisler's theology from Calvinism by pointing out this difference:
Geisler believes in a God who tries to save all the sinners He can, and Calvinism believes
in a God who saves all the sinners He will."
Dr. Joseph C. Morecraft, III, Author, Pastor of Chalcedon Presbyterian Church
(publisher of "The Counsel of Chalcedon Magazine"), Cumming, GA
We are in debt to Norman Geisler for displaying
once again just how unpalatable the truth of the Scripture can be, even for those who know
its contents well. His screed against Calvinism has provided the occasion for James R.
White to give us The Potter's Freedom, a book that not only reveals the
poverty of Geisler's argument but also provides us with a refreshing presentation of the
glorious truths of salvation by grace alone as set forth by authentic Calvinism. The
so-called "moderate Calvinism" which Geisler embraces and presents in Chosen
But Free is no more useful than a moderate fire department.
Joel Nederhood, Director of Ministries Emeritus, The Back to God Hour, Pastor of
Preaching, Cottage Grove Christian Reformed Church, South, Holland, Illinois.
In The Potter's Freedom James White has
given us a fresh and heavily exegetical defense of the biblical doctrine of salvation.
White wrote his excellent review of the biblical underpinings of the Reformed Faith in
response to Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free. White's evaluation of
Geisler's arguments is thorough and his ability to dismantle those arguments will be
greatly appreciated by those who love their Calvinistic heritage. Nevertheless, White, in
his refutation of Geisler's position, maintains a spirit of Christian graciousness
throughout.
Though this book was written for the purpose of
debate, its thorough treatment of the principal texts, on which the doctrine stands or
falls, may serve as a textbook for those who are just coming to understand the doctrines
of grace. Here in one volume is a thoughtful and well written presentation of those
truths. The English of The Potter's Freedom is clear and non-technical which
should make it of value to those who are unfamiliar with the language of theologians.
Dr. Joe B. Nesom, Southern Baptist Founders Ministries, Jackson, LA
James White’s response to Dr. Geisler’s Chosen but
Free arises from a personal knowledge of Dr. Geisler and an appreciation for his
stance for truth and his positive impact on the broader evangelical community. This
sincere appreciation, however, does not cause him to downplay the seriously-flawed
presentation Geisler gives of the perennially and universally important issue of divine
determination and human responsibility. He interacts carefully with Geisler’s
philosophy, his hermeneutics, his specific interpretations, his polemical methodology, his
understanding of Reformed thought, and his personal stance on the issues endemic to this
question. White’s work not only is an incisive, and in my opinion decisive, response
to the specific fallacies of Geisler, but provides a positive exposition of the issue that
would be valuable even apart from its polemical context. Its theological and philosophical
sophistication does not detract from the profundity of pastoral theology that informs
every chapter.
Dr. Tom J. Nettles, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,
Louisville, KY, Author of By His Grace & For His Glory
There can hardly be a topic more important or relevant than the one
James White tackles in this superb book. Who is free? Man or God? Which is sovereign?
These are the issues at stake in this timely rebuttal of error and demonstration of
biblical truth. Our response to this debate exercises a controlling influence on the whole
of our faith and life, and ultimately the character of our worship. If man is sovereign
then he must save, and to him be the glory. But if, as the Scripture so thoroughly
insists, "salvation is of the Lord" then it must also be that to Him alone is
all the glory.
In The Potter's Freedom, James White renders a great service by his clear
presentation and defense of historic Calvinism, particularly in light of the confusion
that so often clouds debates over the doctrine of election. This book deserves a
careful reading by all who truly seek clarity and genuine biblical light. The doctrine of
predestination may be difficult to grasp and hard to accept but it is also a doctrine the
Bible insists upon. Our first duty is to receive what Scripture teaches, only thus finding
the door open to understanding and then to joy. In this task, James White has given
commendable help. There are few needs more urgent in the shallow evangelical culture today
than a return to the robust theology and faith so ably explained from the Scripture in
this superb book.
Rev. Richard D. Phillips, Associate Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia,
PA, Vice President, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
We decry the subterfuge of politicians as they
redefine time-honored words in order to convince the public that they really did not raise
taxes or commit adultery. Their form of double speak has so permeated our culture that
even the church has been infected. The theologian, whose task is to learn and communicate
the truth, betrays his trust when he resorts to redefinition. Yet Norman Geisler in Chosen
But Free redefines some of the church’s time-honored definitions and is guilty
of double speak, when he calls the Reformation doctrines of grace “extreme
Calvinism” and offers a form of Arminianism as “moderate Calvinism.” Under
the title of moderate Calvinism, he explains away the chief tenets of Calvinism. As Luther
served the church well when he wrote his classic Bondage of the Will in response
to Erasmus’ denial of the sovereignty of God in salvation, James White has served the
church today in writing The Potter’s Freedom. White exposes
Geisler’s philosophical methodology and his attempt to redefine many important
biblical concepts while giving a thorough Biblical defense of true Calvinism. If you have
read Dr. Geisler’s book you must read this response. If you want to learn more about
the great Reformation doctrines (total depravity, election, particular redemption,
effectual calling, and perseverance of the saints), you need to read this book.
Joseph A. Pipa, Jr., Ph.D., President, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary,
Taylors, SC
One ought not be surprised by
the recurrence of error--it has always been the plague of the
church. It is expected that false men will arise to trouble
those who proclaim the truth. When, however, the opponents of
sound doctrine come forth from within the professing church,
we shake our heads and wonder, and we pray that the Lord will
raise up a defender of the faith once delivered to the saints.
That prayer has been answered
with the publication of James White's The Potter's Freedom. In
the face of attacks upon the sovereignty of God and His grace,
Dr. White has provided the church with a careful and
painstaking rebuttal of the most recent popular attempt to
dethrone God and exalt man. It is replete with excellent
exegesis and sound theology. The Potter's Freedom demonstrates
clearly that Scripture unambiguously teaches that God is
sovereign in the salvation of sinners. White's book should be
recognized as a major contribution to this discussion.
Let us pray that the Lord will
use this work to exalt His own glory and restore to many
professing Christians a sense of wonder at the power of the
grace of God.
James M. Renihan, Ph.D.,
Dean, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Institute of
Reformed Baptist Studies at Westminster Theological Seminary
in California
The Reformed community has given Norman Geisler a
"free" pass for too long with respect to his pronouncements on God's sovereignty
and free will. James White's book, The Potter's Freedom, is the much-needed
antidote to his flawed (and failed) attempt, in typical Thomistic fashion, to synthesize
what cannot be synthesized. As soon as he insists that "God's grace works
synergistically on free will," and that the "one condition" for receiving
grace, namely, faith, "is logically prior to regeneration" (pp. 233-34), he
falls away from the thought of the sixteenth-century Reformation and stands in concert
with the synergism of Rome. It is high time that he who has warned the members of the
Evangelical Theological Society to "beware human philosophy" should heed his own
warning and listen less to Thomas Aquinas and more carefully to Holy Scripture.
Robert
Reymond, Ph.D., Knox Theological
Seminary, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Author of A New Systematic Theology of the Christian
Faith
With great penetration of argument, and in a
manner reminiscent of Luther demolishing Erasmus, James White grinds the
Semi-Pelagianism
of Dr. Geisler to fine powder - not in the spirit of triumphalism, but knowing that all
Arminianism is as hostile to the true gospel as it is friendly to a reviving Roman
Catholicism.
Maurice Roberts, Editor, "Banner of Truth" Magazine, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
James White’s book, The Potter’s
Freedom, is as clear a presentation of the Reformed doctrine of salvation as
I’ve ever read. He writes with an engaging style and ably defends his views from
scripture. More importantly, he takes on one of evangelicalism’s major Arminian
apologists, Norm Geisler.
In the least, Dr. White demonstrates repeatedly and thoroughly that Geisler’s
supposed "moderate Calvinism" is nothing of the sort. I am reminded here of the
story of Alexander the Great confronting one of his soldiers who had not lived up to his
duties. The soldier’s name happened to be the same as the great general’s.
Alexander simply told him, "Either change your name or change your character."
White essentially gives the same advice to Geisler: you have a right to believe what you
want, but you have no right to call your views "moderate Calvinism." White has
also demonstrated that Geisler has little basis to argue that his view—whatever it is
called—is grounded in scripture. What Geisler is is a moderate Arminian or a
"secure" Arminian. What he is not is a Calvinist—in any sense of the term.
The issues raised in this book are enormous, touching the very heart of the Protestant
faith—a faith that finds its roots in Reformed thinking. That so many evangelical
Protestants today are ignorant of such roots is a sign of the times: we are moving closer
and closer to a thoroughly anthropocentric worldview—a worldview that is devoid of
both answers and comfort and, in fact, is beginning to look more like humanism than
Christianity. But spiritual maturity—both individually and communally—begins
with the progressively Copernican discovery that we are not the center of the universe! At
bottom, White’s book makes a magnificent contribution in this regard, for it exalts
Jesus Christ at every turn, and affirms the Potter’s absolute freedom to perform his
will.
Daniel B. Wallace, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological
Seminary
Some time ago, I had the opportunity to hear a
tape of Dr. Geisler presenting his understanding of "moderate Calvinism." The
errors in the tape were simply breathtaking, and so I was very glad to hear that James
White had undertaken a book length response to Dr. Geisler's Chosen But Free.
This response is outstanding. The Potter's Freedom is firmly, pointedly, and
charitably written. For someone of Dr. Geisler's stature to go into print with his
misunderstandings was simply inexplicable. The easy thing would have been to simply let
the whole thing go in an embarrassed silence, but in this book James White has assumed the
role of a biblical friend to Dr. Geisler. It deserves a wide reading.
Douglas Wilson, Author, Pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho, Editor of
"Credenda Agenda" Magazine
The popular view of divine sovereignty which
Geisler advocates is a serious departure from the self-revelation of God in the
Scriptures. Indeed, White's strongest suit is his demonstration that Geisler's
argument is entirely indefensible at the exegetical level. Some may read White and
continue to hold Geisler's opinions, but they will no longer be comfortable with those
opinions. White has read Geisler carefully and insightfully and has answered him
thoroughly and Biblically.
Fred G. Zaspel, Pastor, Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, PA, Adjunct Professor
of Religious Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, Author of The Theology of
Fulfillment
Post Publication Comments:
The following came from the Reformed Baptist
Discussion List:
To everyone on the list:
Months ago I had brought to the attention of this list that James
White was working on a book to answer Norman Geisler's book "Chosen but Free." I
had also suggested that we pray for James White as he works on this book. Boy were our
prayers answered! I just received my copy of "The Potter's Freedom" in the mail
and the book is awesome. For a long time I have searched for a book that I could just hand
to people if I wanted them to understand and appreciate reformed theology (especially
TULIP). THIS IS THE BOOK! Whenever I have discipled people or encouraged them in their
understanding of Reformed Theology I have needed to use a variety of books, tracts,
pamphlets, sermons, a bunch of stuff. Now I have a book that does most of what the other
material does, and does it all in a highly readable, easily understandable style.
I suggest that everyone on this list get this book (call (602)
973-0318). I don't usually recommend that everyone on this list read a book but this is
one of those exceptions. Geisler's misguided attack on Reformed Theology had to be
answered, and this is what White's book does admirably.
To James White, thanks for this marvelous work! We can use your book
to help all sorts of people understand Reformed Theology. You have done us all a great
service with this book. The potential for positively impacting many people with your book
is very encouraging. Thank-you.
Bob Zerhusen,
M.Div, Th.M., Pastor, Chatsworth Lake Community
Church, CA
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