Regeneration (theology)

Regeneration, while sometimes perceived to be a step in the Ordo salutis ('order of salvation'), is generally understood in Christian theology to be the objective work of God in a believer's life. Spiritually, it means that God brings Christians to new life or "born again" from a previous state of separation from God and subjection to the decay of death (Ephesians 2:4).[1] Thus, in Lutheran and Roman Catholic theology, it generally means that which takes place during baptism. In Calvinism (Reformed theology) and Arminian theology, baptism is recognized as an outward sign of an inward reality which is to follow regeneration as a sign of obedience to the New Testament.

While the exact Greek noun "rebirth" or "regeneration" (Ancient Greek: παλιγγενεσία, romanized: palingenesia) appears just twice in the New Testament (Matthew 19:28 and Titus 3:5), regeneration represents a wider theme of re-creation and spiritual rebirth.[2] Furthermore, there is the sense in which regeneration includes the concept "being born again" (John 3:3-8 and 1 Peter 1:3).[3]

New Testament references

In Matthew 19:28, Jesus refers to "the regeneration" (e.g. translations in the Geneva Bible, King James Version, and American Standard Version). The New International Version refers to "the renewal of all things" and the English Standard Version refers to "the new world".[4]

In Titus 3:5 the writer of the epistle refers to two aspects of the mercy which God has shown believers, "the washing of regeneration (i.e. baptism) and renewing of the Holy Spirit".

Historical interpretations

Anglican Bishop Charles Ellicott notes the "wide range" of meaning: in Titus 3:5, "the word ... is applied to baptism, as the instrument of the regeneration or new birth of the individual believer", but "there is to be a 'new birth' for mankind as well as for the individual".[5] However, much of the historical theological interpretation of "regeneration" has focused on individual renewal, as shown in the following theological schools of thought:

Baptismal regeneration
Main article: Baptismal regeneration

Lutheran and Roman Catholic theology holds that "baptism confers cleansing of [original] sin, the infusion of regenerating grace and union with Christ."[6] Official Roman Catholic teaching specifically states that regeneration commences with baptism.[7]

General evangelicalism

During the period of the Great Awakening, emphasis in Protestant theology began to be placed on regeneration as the starting point of an individual's new life in Christ.[8]

Pelagianism
Main article: Pelagianism

Pelagius believed that people were born pure, with God's spirit already at work, making the need for spiritual regeneration from a previous sinful state irrelevant.[9] Since Pelagius, modernist theology has seen regeneration as more a matter of education than spiritual renewal.[8]

Semi-Pelagianism

Semipelagianism in its original form was developed as a compromise between Pelagianism and the teaching of Church Fathers such as Augustine, who taught that man cannot come to God without the grace of God.

In Semipelagian thought a distinction is made between the beginning of faith and the increase of faith. Semi-Pelegianism holds that man must initiate of his own free will to receive grace. The first steps toward the Christian life are thus understood as acts of the human will with grace supervening afterward.

Calvinism and Reformed theology

Reformed theology teaches that regeneration precedes faith[10] through the doctrine of Total depravity. Before regeneration a sinner is dead and until the sinner is regenerated and given a new nature, the sinner cannot believe.[11]

Reformed theology characteristically views baptism as an outward sign of God's internal work, as John Calvin stated: “all who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ are at the same time regenerated by the Spirit, and that we have an earnest of this regeneration in baptism.”[12] Regeneration is further described as the "secret operation of the Holy Spirit."[13]

Arminianism

In contrast to Semi-Pelagianism, Arminian theology teaches that the first steps are taken by God in the form of prevenient grace.[14] Arminians differ from Calvinists in affirming that God's grace is resistible. "When our wills are freed, we can either accept God’s saving grace in faith or reject it to our own ruin."[15] When someone believes, it is not grace which makes one to differ from another person, but the freed response to exercise faith to accept that grace. According to Classical Arminians if a person is regenerated it is due to that person's response to grace with faith alone; if a person is rejected, it is due to that person's choice alone. Prevenient grace is appropriated or rejected before regeneration; those who do not reject it come into the light by grace in concert with their freed will operating synergistically. After a believer has under the influence of prevenient grace made the faithful decision to follow Christ, God regenerates them spiritually.[16] In contrast to Calvinism, which teaches that regeneration is the decree of God, Arminianism teaches that a sinner must repent and place their faith in Christ as the condition to regeneration and, in this manner, regeneration is by faith, not by decree.

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See also

Notes
  1. Demarest 1997, p. 292
  2. Demarest 1997, pp. 293–294
  3. Grudem 1994, p. 699
  4. "Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel". biblehub.com.
  5. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers on Matthew 19, accessed 3 February 2017
  6. Demarest 1997, p. 281
  7. Demarest 1997, p. 285
  8. Burkhardt 1988, p. 574
  9. Demarest 1997, p. 279
  10. Sproul, R.C. Chosen By God. p. 72.
  11. Steele, David N.; Thomas, Curtis C. The Five Points of Calvinism. p. 16.
  12. Calvin, John, "5.12.1", Institutes of the Christian Religion, retrieved 2014-03-07
  13. Calvin, John, "3.1.1", Institutes of the Christian Religion, retrieved 2012-11-08
  14. Olson 2006
  15. "A Summary of Arminian Theology". Society of Evangelical Arminians. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  16. Demarest 1997, p. 288

References
  • Burkhardt, H (1988), "Regeneration", in Wright, David; Ferguson, Sinclair; Packer, J I (eds.), New Dictionary of Theology, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, p. 574, ISBN 0830814000
  • Demarest, Bruce (1997), The Cross and Salvation, Wheaton: Crossway Books, ISBN 0891079378
  • Grudem, Wayne (1994), Systematic Theology (Reprint ed.), Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, ISBN 0310286700
  • Olson, Roger (2006), Arminian Theology, Downers Grove: IVP Academic, ISBN 0830828419
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