The Quest for Truth: Answering Life's Inescapable Questions

Rating:
Summary: Free Will in a Postmodern World
Review: In a more comprehensive follow up to his "Systematics" of the 1970's, Leroy Forlines presents the tenets of "reformed" Arminianism in language easily understood by the uninitiated. He goes beyond the typical, "dry" theological presentation, arguing persuasively for his position on the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith. His argument, however, does not cower in ecclesiastical irrelevance. Instead, it confronts the Postmodern mood of the culture bringing the systematic truth of scripture into sharp conflict with the narcissism our current age.

He deals with the various familiar doctrines standing for the plenary verbal inspiration of scripture and the traditional doctrine of the trinity. His view of the nature of man acknowledges total depravity, but he diverges from some Calvinists, saying that the image of God remains in man to the extent that he is able to choose Christ of his own volition (aided of course by the drawing of the Holy Spirit.) While some may misunderstand this as a semi-pelagian view, he blunts that criticism with his explanation of what the image of God really means and with his insistence that man, apart from the wooing of the Holy Spirit, cannot choose Christ.

Forlines reserves much of his book (about 25%) for a detailed defense of the classic Arminian view of Conditional Election. This section is "must reading" for those who may be disciples of Calvin, having never read a full Arminian explanation of the subject. His reasoning is tight; his scriptural support, impeccable; and his arguments hard to refute. Instead of an arbitrary and arrogant dismissal (a response so often employed many Calvinists), his work on this subject deserves a reasoned, detailed response from those who disagree.

I would offer only two criticisms: First, while this book is certainly accessible to the uninitiated student, it lacks some weight because it doesn't appeal to as many primary sources as one might expect. (For instance, his second chapter, "The Acquisition of Upper Story Knowledge," while an obvious reference to the noumenal/phenomenal ideas of Kant, cites not Kant but Francis Shaeffer.) This will hurt the text as a college reference, but it will probably help the text in its appeal to the general population.

The second criticism is really more of a request. I would like to see Forlines expand this edition, including several chapters on eschatology, the nature and function of the church, and a more complete development of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

That being said, I believe that this work is a welcome addition to the field and a cogent presentation of classical Arminianism. Perhaps a presentation like this will aid the understanding of those believers who have heard only caricatures of Arminianism, but never really understood what it means. Who knows, they may even find themselves agreeing!

Rating:
Summary: Free Will in a Postmodern World
Review: In a more comprehensive follow up to his "Systematics" of the 1970's, Leroy Forlines presents the tenets of "reformed" Arminianism in language easily understood by the uninitiated. He goes beyond the typical, "dry" theological presentation, arguing persuasively for his position on the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith. His argument, however, does not cower in ecclesiastical irrelevance. Instead, it confronts the Postmodern mood of the culture bringing the systematic truth of scripture into sharp conflict with the narcissism our current age.

He deals with the various familiar doctrines standing for the plenary verbal inspiration of scripture and the traditional doctrine of the trinity. His view of the nature of man acknowledges total depravity, but he diverges from some Calvinists, saying that the image of God remains in man to the extent that he is able to choose Christ of his own volition (aided of course by the drawing of the Holy Spirit.) While some may misunderstand this as a semi-pelagian view, he blunts that criticism with his explanation of what the image of God really means and with his insistence that man, apart from the wooing of the Holy Spirit, cannot choose Christ.

Forlines reserves much of his book (about 25%) for a detailed defense of the classic Arminian view of Conditional Election. This section is "must reading" for those who may be disciples of Calvin, having never read a full Arminian explanation of the subject. His reasoning is tight; his scriptural support, impeccable; and his arguments hard to refute. Instead of an arbitrary and arrogant dismissal (a response so often employed many Calvinists), his work on this subject deserves a reasoned, detailed response from those who disagree.

I would offer only two criticisms: First, while this book is certainly accessible to the uninitiated student, it lacks some weight because it doesn't appeal to as many primary sources as one might expect. (For instance, his second chapter, "The Acquisition of Upper Story Knowledge," while an obvious reference to the noumenal/phenomenal ideas of Kant, cites not Kant but Francis Shaeffer.) This will hurt the text as a college reference, but it will probably help the text in its appeal to the general population.

The second criticism is really more of a request. I would like to see Forlines expand this edition, including several chapters on eschatology, the nature and function of the church, and a more complete development of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

That being said, I believe that this work is a welcome addition to the field and a cogent presentation of classical Arminianism. Perhaps a presentation like this will aid the understanding of those believers who have heard only caricatures of Arminianism, but never really understood what it means. Who knows, they may even find themselves agreeing!

Rating:
Summary: The Quest For Truth: Answering Life's Inescapable Questions.
Review: Leroy Forlines revision of his earlier work, Systematics, proves to be his Magnum Opus. Not only does Forlines develop the evolution of postmodernism and the increasing challenges this paradigm presents for the contemporary Church, but he accomplishes this by writing in the first person. This method demonstrates his desire to prove his sincerity in promoting a theology that is designed for the "whole personality," that is, to people who think, feel, and act. Forlines brings theology to the 'grass-roots' level, yet maintains the highest of academic integrity, albeit an unorthodox approach. This book is a must for the layman, pastor, or college student interested in learning about the culture in which the Western world currently lives and the influences that brought us here. In addition, Forlines carefully develops the Classical Arminian view of God's relationship with man: 'influence-and response' as opposed to the Calvinistic view: 'cause-and-effect.'

Rating:
Summary: A practical yet scholarly work of theology
Review: Perhaps no study is needed in churches today more than this cogent study by F. Leroy Forlines. The work is comprehensive, balanced, and in touch with contemporary thought. The approach of the work is especailly refreshing. The author effectively interacts with the postmodern mindset so prevalent today. In addition, the author pursues in systematic fashion a biblical alternative to the fatalistic bent of current works of theology. This book pursues the biblical course of 'influence and response' and provides irrefutable logic concerning the true meaning and effectiveness of such weighty matters as atonement, predestination, election, and perseverence. For those seeking a more biblical alternative to Calvinistic theologies, this is a must-have work. All in all the book is engaging and extremely worthy of thoughtful study.

Rating:
Summary: A practical yet scholarly work of theology
Review: Perhaps no study is needed in churches today more than this cogent study by F. Leroy Forlines. The work is comprehensive, balanced, and in touch with contemporary thought. The approach of the work is especailly refreshing. The author effectively interacts with the postmodern mindset so prevalent today. In addition, the author pursues in systematic fashion a biblical alternative to the fatalistic bent of current works of theology. This book pursues the biblical course of 'influence and response' and provides irrefutable logic concerning the true meaning and effectiveness of such weighty matters as atonement, predestination, election, and perseverence. For those seeking a more biblical alternative to Calvinistic theologies, this is a must-have work. All in all the book is engaging and extremely worthy of thoughtful study.

Rating:
Summary: A Modern Classical Arminian Systematic Theology
Review: The Quest for Truth is Dr. Forlines' reworking of his Systematics (1975). As both works are really systematic theologies, the old title is much better but the work as a whole is a welcome classical Arminian counter-balance to the predominance of Calvinist and Dispensational systematic theologies in modern times. In my view, this is the great value of the book - although Dr. Forlines would likely see his "total personality approach" as equally important.

What I regard as the book's greatest value is in two main areas. The first is in correcting a number of Calvinist misconceptions of what the classical Arminian viewpoint really is, and the second is in generally going on to present the classical Arminian view of things (although, as will be seen below, he does occasionally depart from the classical Arminian view). For instance, in correcting Calvinist misconceptions of the classical Arminain viewpoint, we find Dr. Forlines making a strong defence of (i) the authority of Scripture, (ii) God's foreknowledge of contingent events, (iii) fallen man's inability to come to salvation apart from divine grace, (iv) the priority and necessity of grace for salvation, (v) the view that justification consists of the imputation of Christ's own righteousness to the believer by faith and (vi) the view that sanctification is both distinct from and a necessary result of justification (thereby rejecting the easy-believism views of folks like Charles Stanley and Zane Hodges). The second main value of the book is in a number of Dr. Forlines' attacks on Calvinist errors. For instance, he defends the view that faith and repentance preceding justification in saying that "there can be no divine action based on justification that has not already occurred" and, as a result, that "regeneration cannot precede faith." (p. 262) Similarly, in arguing that election is conditional on faith in Christ, he answers John Piper and shows that Arminianism is compatible with the Sovereignty of God by saying the following: "The question that I am concerned about is not whether some constraint is imposed on God outside His will. I do not believe that is the case either. The question is whether His own holy nature forbids Him to choose anyone for salvation apart from Christ. ... Will not His holy nature forbid Him from performing a redemptive act on a person before the death and righteousness of Christ is imputed to him? I think it will." (p. 263)

There are two main things that I regard as drawbacks to The Quest for Truth, however. The first is the treatment and attention given to "post-modernism". As has been noted in at least one other review, there is a noticeable lack of footnotes when that topic is dealt with, but in my view the portrayal of the current attitude in society is not quite accurate. In short, while I would agree with Dr. Forlines that there is an increase in relativism in the area of beliefs relating to religion, culture and ideals, I would maintain that the areas of "private morality" and so-called "social justice" are better explained without reference to the rather vague concept of post-modernism. With respect to "private morality", it appears to me that the general view in society today is that of libertarianism in that people generally feel they have both a legal and moral right to choose whether or not to have an abortion or to engage in pre-marital sex or homosexual conduct. On the other hand, with respect to issues of "social justice" it appears to me that the various positions of the political left are becoming more and more dominant in society to the extent that positions of relativists, libertarians or conservatives are regarded as evil and a bigger role for government is generally seen as something that is positively good. This, however, is a minor complaint with Dr. Forlines' analysis. In my view, the second negative thing about the book is more serious and comes with Dr. Forlines' use and explanation of his "total personality approach". Although he explains this approach in more detail, I was left with the distinct impression that it places much more emphasis on self-worth and the alleged value of man than Arminius ever dreamed of advocating, and thereby occasionally distorts the classical Arminian view, while also bringing the danger of oversimplify the issues at stake between Calvinists and Arminians. For instance, in dealing with the question of the Perseverance of the Saints, although Dr. Forlines correctly mentions that some only hold to this point among the five Calvinist points (and would therefore be "Arminian" on the other 4 points), he goes on to state that "the theological foundation that supports the possibility of becoming lost again after a person is saved is found in what it means to be made in the image of God." (p. 276). Similarly, in speaking of the debate over Unconditional Election, Dr. Forlines writes that he feels "it has been a mistake over the centuries to focus the conflict between Calvinists and Ariminians on whether fallen or redeemed man has a free will. The real question is: Is fallen man a personal being or is he sub-personal?" (p. 313). And, again, rather than focusing on God's gracious provision of salvation for undeserving sinners in having His sinless Son come to die for us, Dr. Forlines remarks that "The purchase price is to be given consideration in giving an estimate of the value of a person" (pp. 461-462). In my view, that type of argument is not only incorrect, but carries the danger of encouraging readers to prejudge the issue on methodological or philosophical grounds rather than deal the Scriptural texts.

All in all, though, the book makes the vast majority of its arguments from Scripture and generally does an excellent job at presenting the Arminian position. As such, it is worth getting not only for Arminians but also for those seeking to balance their libraries with a scholarly work something other than a Calvinist or Dispensationalist perspective.

Rating:
Summary: A Modern Classical Arminian Systematic Theology
Review: The Quest for Truth is Dr. Forlines' reworking of his Systematics (1975). As both works are really systematic theologies, the old title is much better but the work as a whole is a welcome classical Arminian counter-balance to the predominance of Calvinist and Dispensational systematic theologies in modern times. In my view, this is the great value of the book - although Dr. Forlines would likely see his "total personality approach" as equally important.

What I regard as the book's greatest value is in two main areas. The first is in correcting a number of Calvinist misconceptions of what the classical Arminian viewpoint really is, and the second is in generally going on to present the classical Arminian view of things (although, as will be seen below, he does occasionally depart from the classical Arminian view). For instance, in correcting Calvinist misconceptions of the classical Arminain viewpoint, we find Dr. Forlines making a strong defence of (i) the authority of Scripture, (ii) God's foreknowledge of contingent events, (iii) fallen man's inability to come to salvation apart from divine grace, (iv) the priority and necessity of grace for salvation, (v) the view that justification consists of the imputation of Christ's own righteousness to the believer by faith and (vi) the view that sanctification is both distinct from and a necessary result of justification (thereby rejecting the easy-believism views of folks like Charles Stanley and Zane Hodges). The second main value of the book is in a number of Dr. Forlines' attacks on Calvinist errors. For instance, he defends the view that faith and repentance preceding justification in saying that "there can be no divine action based on justification that has not already occurred" and, as a result, that "regeneration cannot precede faith." (p. 262) Similarly, in arguing that election is conditional on faith in Christ, he answers John Piper and shows that Arminianism is compatible with the Sovereignty of God by saying the following: "The question that I am concerned about is not whether some constraint is imposed on God outside His will. I do not believe that is the case either. The question is whether His own holy nature forbids Him to choose anyone for salvation apart from Christ. ... Will not His holy nature forbid Him from performing a redemptive act on a person before the death and righteousness of Christ is imputed to him? I think it will." (p. 263)

There are two main things that I regard as drawbacks to The Quest for Truth, however. The first is the treatment and attention given to "post-modernism". As has been noted in at least one other review, there is a noticeable lack of footnotes when that topic is dealt with, but in my view the portrayal of the current attitude in society is not quite accurate. In short, while I would agree with Dr. Forlines that there is an increase in relativism in the area of beliefs relating to religion, culture and ideals, I would maintain that the areas of "private morality" and so-called "social justice" are better explained without reference to the rather vague concept of post-modernism. With respect to "private morality", it appears to me that the general view in society today is that of libertarianism in that people generally feel they have both a legal and moral right to choose whether or not to have an abortion or to engage in pre-marital sex or homosexual conduct. On the other hand, with respect to issues of "social justice" it appears to me that the various positions of the political left are becoming more and more dominant in society to the extent that positions of relativists, libertarians or conservatives are regarded as evil and a bigger role for government is generally seen as something that is positively good. This, however, is a minor complaint with Dr. Forlines' analysis. In my view, the second negative thing about the book is more serious and comes with Dr. Forlines' use and explanation of his "total personality approach". Although he explains this approach in more detail, I was left with the distinct impression that it places much more emphasis on self-worth and the alleged value of man than Arminius ever dreamed of advocating, and thereby occasionally distorts the classical Arminian view, while also bringing the danger of oversimplify the issues at stake between Calvinists and Arminians. For instance, in dealing with the question of the Perseverance of the Saints, although Dr. Forlines correctly mentions that some only hold to this point among the five Calvinist points (and would therefore be "Arminian" on the other 4 points), he goes on to state that "the theological foundation that supports the possibility of becoming lost again after a person is saved is found in what it means to be made in the image of God." (p. 276). Similarly, in speaking of the debate over Unconditional Election, Dr. Forlines writes that he feels "it has been a mistake over the centuries to focus the conflict between Calvinists and Ariminians on whether fallen or redeemed man has a free will. The real question is: Is fallen man a personal being or is he sub-personal?" (p. 313). And, again, rather than focusing on God's gracious provision of salvation for undeserving sinners in having His sinless Son come to die for us, Dr. Forlines remarks that "The purchase price is to be given consideration in giving an estimate of the value of a person" (pp. 461-462). In my view, that type of argument is not only incorrect, but carries the danger of encouraging readers to prejudge the issue on methodological or philosophical grounds rather than deal the Scriptural texts.

All in all, though, the book makes the vast majority of its arguments from Scripture and generally does an excellent job at presenting the Arminian position. As such, it is worth getting not only for Arminians but also for those seeking to balance their libraries with a scholarly work something other than a Calvinist or Dispensationalist perspective.