Before coming to Liberty or taking
Theology 202 I hadn’t really heard of Arminian or Calvinism before, so this is
a pretty new topic to me. I think
that Geisler does a good job of combining the two very different viewpoints. I
would definitely agree that a combination of the two viewpoints seems the most
logical and most reasonable explanation. I think that Geisler did a good job of
using scriptural references to support his stance on the topic. I think that
people would have to be crazy to believe the “Extreme Free Will View” and that
God acts as he becomes aware of our acts.
I
also do not agree with the “Extreme Sovereignty View” and that God only selects
whom He wants to be saved. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for everyone
and he did not endure that horrible death to only save a select few. I think
John 3:16 can help to support my opinion. I think Geisler did a good job of
giving an alternative view to the two extreme views, and I think the lay out of
the book helps his position become clear to the reader.
I
agree with Geisler’s view that God knows everything, so he knows who will
accept his gift of everlasting life, but that does not mean that there are only
a select few. I like how the book was laid out with the different headings
throughout the chapters because it made the book easier to understand. I do
think this whole subject can get a little confusing because some parts of the
Bible need to be taken literally while other parts are only figuratively. I
think that Geisler does a good job of explaining his position and backing up
his idea.
I think that by including both
opposing sides and explaining each side separately, Geisler is able to easily
show the reader the reason for his beliefs. I also think that by including both
sides of the argument he is able to make his point stronger. I think it was a
very strong point to say that the two opposing sides are not logical opposites,
and this also helps to make his point stronger.
Chosen but Free does a great job of
explaining what seems to be the best solution to the on going tension about
predestination and free will. I also think that Ergun Caner did a good job of
explaining this topic in class and I can see how this book has some very
similar viewpoints. I agree with Geisler’s opinion that predestination of extreme
Calvinism must be rejected. I think out of any of the crazy views of either
side, predestination has to be the craziest.
In conclusion, I enjoyed learning
more about a topic that was not too familiar to me, and it was great that I
happened to agree with what Geisler had to say.