Richard Coords has a problem with the Calvinist teaching that regeneration precedes faith. What he fails to understand is that our hearts of stone must first be replaced with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19-20 and 36:26-27) before we can obey. Think of it as stumbling around in a dark room until someone flips on the lightswitch. One can see the instant the light comes on, but there must first be light in order for one to see. The Apostle Paul was sent to the Gentiles "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins" (Acts 26:18). Regeneration preceding faith is the only logical progression.
Does prayer influence God? The Seeking Disciple concludes, "The motivation to pray is thus that God in His foreknowledge is influenced by our prayers." Soooooooo...our will be done?
On the assurance of salvation, James M. Leonard says, "Be an Arminian with assurance that you will be saved only if you continue to the end in faith, or be a Calvinist without the assurance that Jesus died for you." Or you could just trust scripture when it says, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16).
Stan reminds us not to be followers of a person, but of Christ. (Paul dealt with this in 1st Corinthians 1.) That is why some Calvinists refuse to label themselves as such. But, as Spurgeon once said, "It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else."
This fall, Lord willing, Pastor Piper will begin preaching through the Gospel of John. So, just how long will this series last? "Romans took eight years," he writes. "John is twice as long."
In light of John 1:9-13, I would say no. John Piper says, "God not only provided the regeneration by which we are born again, but also the authorization by which we can lay claim to our inheritance as children, even though we are sinners."
But there is no "lag time" between regeneration and faith. Faith is our instantaneous response to regeneration. As with the flipping of a light switch, we move immediately from darkness to light.
"That doctrine that is called 'Calvinist' did not spring from Calvin; we believe that it sprang from the great founder of all truth." -Charles H. Spurgeon
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5 comments:
Nice drive by.
L Shelton Numero IV,
does "regeneration" mean the same as "becoming a child of God" to you?
In light of John 1:9-13, I would say no. John Piper says, "God not only provided the regeneration by which we are born again, but also the authorization by which we can lay claim to our inheritance as children, even though we are sinners."
But there is no "lag time" between regeneration and faith. Faith is our instantaneous response to regeneration. As with the flipping of a light switch, we move immediately from darkness to light.
Thanks for the plug.
wow, cool linking to my blog. thanks!
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