The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The Role Of Works In Our Salvation (2)

Sorry, but once again I haven't a clue what you are talking about here. And my name isn't [color:"purple"]simul iustus et peccator[/color] . . . surely you recognize the slogan which was made so infamously popular by Martin Luther, you know, that short, plump Roman Catholic monk who took on the entire Roman establishment over the matter of indulgences and justification by faith alone? What "irresistible grace after conversion"??? The discussion concerned pre/post regeneration, not conversion. And who said anything about trusting in a new nature?? HELLO?? Remember, I am a classic biblical Christian (Calvinist) who holds tenaciously to Sola Gratia, Sola Fide and Solos Christos! To be perfectly frank with you, after reading all your posts here it seems more than evident that you are NOT familiar with the writings and doctrines of the Protestant Reformers, particularly with the Doctrines of Grace, aka: Calvinism. Perhaps you might enjoy or at least benefit from reading through some of the 1000+ articles on The Highway website. At least you would become informed of what we here actually believe.

Some of the Reformers used the term "regeneration" in a much broader sense than what is used typically today, which is much narrower. That is, when they spoke of regeneration, they were actually speaking of conversion, although making it very clear that coming to Christ for justification is something which is always consequent to regeneration, aka: the new birth. For several hundred years, however, theologically we speak of regeneration in the "narrow" sense, that is regeneration refers to the sovereign and secret work of the Holy Spirit Who raises the spiritually dead soul to life. There are many synonyms used throughout Scripture to describe this one-time event, e.g., "circumcise the heart" (Deut 30:6), "a heart of flesh" (Ezek 11:19; 36:26; cp Jer 32::39), "born again/anew/from above" (Joh 3:3, 5), "new creature" (2Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15), et al. We distinguish between that sovereign and secret work of God in the creating of the new nature from which a new disposition flows and which moves a person to seek God in Christ by faith. Conversion, on the other hand is the direct consequence of that new birth/regeneration in which the sinner is active; i.e., the evidence of the new nature is expressed in repentance and faith. God does not repent nor believe on behalf of any man. Remember, we hold tenaciously to Sola FIDE... i.e., it is through the instrumentality of faith that one is reconciled to God, united to Christ, after which one is justified and thus receives the adoption as sons. (Rom 3:22, 28, 30; 5:1; Gal 3:11, 22, 24, 26) Let me put it this way..... regeneration, in and of itself, does not and is incapable of saving a soul. It is only through faith, the reaching out and taking hold of Christ Jesus does one receive justification. A regenerated sinner WILL INFALLIBLY believe on Christ. Though these are two separate acts, they are inseparable. Both are of grace, but the latter doesn't exclude the active participation of the individual.

How many times are you going to infer or even accuse Calvinists of holding to synergism, semi-Pelagianism, Arminianism, free-willism, ad nauseam. You really are ignorant of what Calvinists believe, aren't you?? I could return something similar in kind and accuse you of being a hyper-Calvinist for you exclude the necessity of a sinner repenting and believing on Christ for salvation. I could also accuse you of synergism, for you make Baptism a work, it being necessary to bring about regeneration. Please inform yourself of what you consider to be your "opponent's" position before making silly comments. You will save yourself much embarrassment in the future.

Again, the sinner is incontrovertibly an active participant in his conversion. It is the sinner who repents. It is the sinner who believes on Christ. Although these acts are irresistible, for they are the fruit of regeneration, they are done most freely and willingly by the individual... NOT GOD! They are indeed the "works of God" (Jh 6:29; 6:44, 65; Acts 5:31; 11:18; et al) but they are also that which the sinner must do. (Mk 2:17; Lk 13:3; 15:7; 24:47; 19:4; Jh 1:12, 13; 3:16; 8:24; 11:40; 17:20; et al). How many have erred in giving too much emphasis to God's sovereignty over man's responsibility? How many more have erred in giving far too much emphasis to man's responsibility to the actual denial of God's sovereignty? Both are true.. Salvation is the Lord AND repent and believe upon Christ and you shall be saved.

As Martin Luther said, the doctrine of justification by faith is like a razor's edge; it is very easy to fall off either side. And to quote another Lutheran theologian, Martin Chemnitz (1522-1586):

ON JUSTIFICATION:

This unique doctrine in a special way distinguishes the church from all other nations and religions....[Justification] is the pinnacle and chief bulwark of all teaching and of the Christian religion itself; if this is obscured, adulterated, or subverted, it is impossible to retain purity of doctrine in other loci. On the other hand, if this locus is securely retained, all idolatrous ravings, superstitions and other corruptions are thereby destroyed (Loci Theologici II, p. 443)

In His Grace,