Rating: 
Summary: Prep of Your Ordination Council
Review: Our church has been struggling with this debate for many years. I've found most authors write with an agenda in mind and publishers seem to favor printing extreme views (perhaps it sells more books). Geisler's agenda seems to be balance and logic.
As a pastor, this book has helped me prep for my ordination council and work through more critical areas of theology. I highly recommend it along with Norman Geisler's exhaustive volumes on systematic theology (vol 1-3).
Rating: 
Summary: Not an issue that will just go away
Review: The differences between Calvinism and Arminianism have been debated even before Calvin and Arminius. From Augustine to Pelagius to now Geisler and White, 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. Geisler, a scholar who has written many of the books sitting on my shelves, attempts to take a moderate position. He "chooses" the best of Calvinism and mixes the ideas with some of the more appealing Arminian ideas. Needless to say, this formula has pretty much riled up the Calvinists (look at all the one-star reviews written before mine, which is not only unkind but truly unfair), and, in an uncanny way, made the Arminians rejoice. They apparently are touting this book as a complete refutation against Calvinism, yet do they they fail to see that Geisler in effect refutes Arminianism in its pure form? Such an interesting dual reaction!Several things ought to be known when reading this book: 1) Realize that this is not the last word on the issue. The first cannon shot back was fired by Calvinist James R. White in The Potter's Freedom, who it must be acknowledged did point out several problems with Geisler's view. It too should be read to get a more complete picture. 2) Whether you consider yourself a Calvinist or Arminian, you ought to take an "open view" when reading this 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. 3) 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. 4) 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. Again, I recommend that the two books are read and debated 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Thought Through
Review: This book certainly isn't perfect and there's a lot more to read on the topic of free will and election but it's a great place to start for someone wanting investigate these issues. It's just so sad that the Calvinists who accuse Geisler of misrepresenting their positon are often the same ones misrepresenting their opponents. Not everyone who disagrees with you is Arminian. For example, I can believe that we don't lose our salvation and still hold that we have free will. I mean if you really don't believe in free will why do you do so much to try and convince us to change our mind on this issue - perhaps we're just chosen not to believe you!
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