"Few men have treated controversial topics with more skilful ability than Dr. Rice." - The Presbyterian Magazine, 1851
"Lucid treatise, proves beyond a peradventure man's freedom and God's sovereignty." -The Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review, 1870
"Designed as an exhibition of Calvinism in opposition to Arminianism." - The Presbyterian Quarterly Review, 1856
"Remarkably clear and succinct statement of the doctrine as held by Calvinists." - The Evangelical Repository and United Presbyterian Review, 1870
As represented by many of its opponents, the doctrine of predestination or Divine foreordination is unscriptural, absurd and impious. It is represented as making God the efficient author of all the moral feelings and acts of his rational creatures, as thus destroying their free agency, and as striking at the very foundations of morality. Are these representations of the doctrine correct?
If God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, how is it that he is not the author of sin?
These questions and other objections are ably answered by Rev. Nathan Lewis Rice, D.D., in his popular and lucid 1850 treatise "God Sovereign and Man Free," in which he proves beyond a doubt that man's freedom and God's sovereignty are mutually consistent, whether men are able to see how and why they are so or not.
The volume is designed clearly to state the doctrine as held by Calvinists; and to prove it true, both by its fruits, and by the direct testimony of God's word.
The work is divided into two parts. In the first the effects of the doctrine are considered. The objections usually made to this doctrine are ably answered. The author demonstrates very satisfactorily, that difficulties which attend this doctrine, and the reconciling it with the free agency of man, are by no means peculiar to the Calvinistic theory, but adhere with all their force to the Arminian scheme; nay, are much more intractable on that scheme than his.
The second part treats of the doctrine of Election, as taught in the Holy Scriptures. The author commences by answering popular objections, which he does with much ingenuity and clearness. Then the proofs of the doctrine from scripture are exhibited perspicuously and forcibly.
This treatise will do much good in the way of obviating unfounded prejudices against the doctrine. Dr. Rice's excellence as a writer is not so much in the originality of his conception, as in their clearness.
About the author:
Rev. Nathan Lewis Rice (1807-1877) attended Princeton theological seminary, was pastor of Presbyterian churches in Kentucky and Chicago, became president of Westminster college, Fulton, Missouri, and finally became professor of didactic and polemic theology in the theological seminary at Danville, Kentucky.
He was the author of other works, mostly on polemical subjects, including:
• Romanism the Enemy of Free Institutions and of Christianity (1851)
• The Signs of the Times (1855)
• Baptism : the Design, Node, and Subjects(1855)
• Our Country and the Church (1861)
• Preach the Word, a Discourse (1862
• The Pulpit : its Relations to Our National Crisis (1862)
• Discourses (1862)
