Book review on Geisler's "Chosen But Free"

    Geisler’s book provided information about various views on God’s sovereignty and human choices. According to the extreme sovereignty view, “God has predetermined from all eternity every event in the universe including the salvation of the elect and the damnation of the non-elect” (Geisler, p. 16). This view also states, more specifically, that not only are the elect predestined to Heaven but the non-elect are predestined to Hell. It seems as if this view does not take into consideration the fact that Christ died for all men. According to this view, the elect are the only ones for whom Christ died (Giesler, p. 16). According to this view, “Fallen humans have no free will in the sense of having a self-determined choice to accept God’s gift of salvation” (Geisler, p. 17). It seems as if this view of God’s sovereignty contradicts many Scripture passages.

      Geisler examines another view of God’s sovereignty and free will. The view of extreme free will is on the opposite spectrum as the extreme sovereignty view. This view “Maintains that God does not have rigid control of the Universe; He gave away some of His sovereignty to His creatures when He gave them free Choice” (Geisler, p. 17). Those who hold this view also hold a view on salvation that can be lost. The belief states that people do not have to work for their salvation but one can lose their salvation if they do not maintain enough good works (Geisler, p. 17). “Those who do not perform the proper good works can lose their salvation, for if salvation can be gained by a free choice, it likewise can be lost” (Geisler, p.17). I believe that God’s Word clearly tells us that we can have assurance of our salvation and that it cannot be lost. John 5:24 tells us that once we hear the Word and believe that Christ died for the sins of the World, we will have passed from death to life. More specifically, it says that we will have eternal life and will not be condemned. To me, this is in clear opposition to what those who hold the view of extreme free will believe.

      Geisler holds to a balanced, which is a combination. I agree with Geisler’s viewpoint. This view does not deny God’s control of the Universe. God does not force one choice or the other on anyone. The Spirit may prod someone to accept Christ, but ultimately God has given people the freedom to choose. According to Scripture (and this view), the only “condition” for salvation is that one accepts it by faith. To me, this balanced view does not take on either of the extreme views regarding God’s sovereignty and the issue of free will. Rather, it seeks out Scripture as a reference point. I believe that Christ died for ALL, and ALL have the same opportunity to receive God’s gift. I believe that Christ desires for ALL to go to Heaven. However, each individual has the free will to choose whether or not he will accept this gift. In other words, we are chosen in eternity, but free in choice. God chose all of us to live with Him in Heaven, but ultimately He leaves the choice up to us. Although everyone has the free will to choose, I believe that God foreknew who would accept and who would reject His gift. This is the basis of the balanced view (Moderate Calvinism); Christ knows for certain what free choices we will make. I agree with Geisler’s claim that Calvin was misunderstood, for Calvin was not an extreme Calvinist.