Systematic Theology, Vol. 3: Sin/Salvation

by Norman L. Geisler

This third volume of Systematic Theology begins with an examination of human beings and their fall away from God. A study of the origin, nature, and effects of sin is followed by a detailed proclamation and exploration of its God's wondrous provision of salvation through the work of Christ Jesus. Included is an in-depth analysis of all applicable theories and doctrines, such as the extent of the Atonement, the nature of grace, and the assurance of heaven.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Reference, Christianity

624 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Norman L. Geisler (PhD, Loyola University of Chicago) taught at top evangelical colleges and seminaries for over fifty years and was a distinguished professor of apologetics and theology at Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California. He was the author of nearly eighty books, including the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics and Christian Ethics. He and his wife lived in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE THIRD OF FOUR VOLUMES BY THE FAMOUS APOLOGIST

Norman Geisler is a famed apologist and theologian. He supports traducianism (i.e., that "humanlife [soul] can be divided and passed on to others"; pg. 33): "it is difficult to comprehend how each human being could be born in sin unless fallen souls are generated from parents, for surely God does not create a fallen soul each time a human is conceived." (Pg. 44) He suggests, "God is free in the sense of having the power of self-determination, but not in the libertarian sense of having the ability to choose to do other than good. While humans have the ability to choose either good or evil, God, in His very essence, IS all-goodness, and, therefore, He can only DO good, being subject to His own nature." (Pg. 87)

He favors the "moderate Calvinist" view: "Moderate Calvinists reject the view that there is security for the elect but no assurance that one IS of the elect unless he endures... moderate Calvinism holds that we can have both present assurance and eternal security." (Pg. 344-345) He asserts, "Supralapsarians are HYPER-Calvinists, being double-predestinarians. Infralapsarians are STRONG Calvinists, but are not double-predestinarians. Sublapsarians (Amyraldians) are MODERATE Calvinists, holding to unlimited atonement." (Pg. 185) Later, he adds, "If (God has infallible foreknowledge), it seems unreasonable to assume (as Wesleyans do) that God regenerated people He knows will not persevere. The idea that God starts what He does not finish is contrary to His knowable character and recorded works." (Pg. 315)

He speculates, "So while a free world where no one ever sins is logically possible, it may not be actually possible. Hence, it is possible that God could NOT have created only those who wouldn't sin, since He knew with certainty that in any group He made some would choose evil. For example, it is possible that had God created fewer angels, a third of them would have sinned." (Pg. 157) He concludes, "The doctrine of limited atonement claims that all for whom Christ died will be saved. However... Christ DID die for all and NOT all will be saved... Therefore, it obviously follows that not all for whom Christ died will be saved, and the doctrine of limited atonement is apparently contradictory to the teaching of Scripture." (Pg. 359)

Geisler's series is one of the outstanding recent contributions to evangelical theology.

[Thangminlun]

318

[Bryant Rudisill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the book only labels sin and salvation as the topics discussed, Geisler does open up his hamartiology with the study of man (anthropology).
Presenting the Traducian view in his anthropology and moving on to the effects of sin to the totality of one's being, Geisler continues to support himself Biblically, theologically and historically. He has the mind and disposition of a philosopher and has no trouble striking objections at the base of their twisted philosophies.
Dr. Geisler is a three-point Calvinist (calling himself a "moderate Calvinist") adhering to the doctrines of Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Unlimited Atonement, Resistible Grace and Perseverance and Assurance of the Saints. As a firm five-point Calvinist, I found myself critiquing his form of Total Depravity which is more along the lines of the Arminian understanding of it, rather than the Reformed, man's inability, view. I suppose in light of this, Geisler is only a two-point Calvinist in my determination.
Geisler also failed to deal with the very heavy objections against Unlimited Atonement presented by John Owen in The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Because he DID NOT address the "hinging objection" all of his arguments for Unlimited Atonement are found to be begging the question. And his understanding of Resistible Grace is built on the foundation of his form of "Total Depravity" that allows for man's ability.

Geisler's soteriology is fantastic! Presenting the substitutionary view of atonement and eliminating the objections against it. Yet, again, his soteriology is lacking only in that it's based of his moderate-form of "Calvinism."
Definitely one should tackle this book and either cement what they already hold to be true, or learn what the "other side" teaches and make yourself a stronger apologist.

[Commissionedsk · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as it sucks to have to read this HUGE book for school, i am really enjoying the majority of it. Its giving me the theological basis i need to defend my christian faith. What could be better? Geisler gets to the heart of the important issues surrounding Sin and Salvation giving biblical basis to prove correct and disprove incorrect beliefs. I would recommend it for anyone wanting to have stronger in "apologetic's"

[Daniel Gutierrez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Norman Geisler's views in this volume are often very idiosyncratic and advocate for a vague lowest common denominator non-denominational view. However, when representing other positions or groups he really drops the ball.