Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Theological Terms | NT general Archive 1 | DocTrinsograce | 165009 | ||
Monergism is the doctrine that the new birth both precedes and elicits faith in Christ in those on whom the Holy Spirit sovereignly determines to dispense His grace (John 1:13; 6:63-65; Acts 16:14b; 1 John 5:1). When preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, the gospel has the power to open blind eyes and unstop deaf ears. Those dead in sin play no part in their own new birth. Man does not cooperate in his regeneration but, rather, infallibly responds in faith as the Holy Spirit changes his hearts' disposition. Faith is not something produced by man's unregenerated human nature. The fallen sinner has no moral ability or inclination to believe prior to the new birth. Instead, the Holy Spirit must open his ears to the preaching of the gospel if a man is to hear. While there is no temporal sequence, regeneration gives rise to all other aspects of salvation. They happen simultaneously like the turning on of a light, which includes the cause of faith, justification, sanctification, new affections, etc. Synergism is the doctrine that faith precedes and gives rise to regeneration. Man cooperates with God in regeneration. Faith is produced by man's unregenerated human nature. The fallen sinner has the ability and potential inclination to believe even prior to the new birth. While the doctrine admits that grace plays a role in salvation yet it denies that salvation is by grace alone -- rather, it is grace plus man's response which causes the new birth. |
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2 | Theological Terms | NT general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 165011 | ||
Greetings Doc! First of all, neither of these two terms are actually found in the Bible. :-) Secondly, those who would accept the term 'synergism' would not accept your statement that salvation is not by grace alone. I believe, in accordance with the many Scriptures that speak of 'accepting', 'rejecting', or 'receiving' that man does have a choice to make when it comes to the gift of salvation. However, the gift is by grace alone. While we were enemies, Christ demonstrated His love for us (Rom. 5:9), not the other way around. He atoned for the sins of the world, not the other way around (1 John 2:2). He draws all men to Himself - John 12:32. We only accept or reject what He has done and offered. It is all by grace. The new birth is accomplished by Him, not by us. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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3 | Theological Terms | NT general Archive 1 | DocTrinsograce | 165032 | ||
Dear Brother Tim, The word "terms" is not in the Bible, the word Bible is not in the Bible, the word Trinity is not in the Bible. Does the absence of a word in Scripture make a word meaningless? Silly. ;-) Shall we only use Greek words? ;-) If there are those who accept (whatever that means) the term "synergism" and they actually do believe in the doctrine of "grace alone" then there are only three possibilities: (1) they do not understand the word synergism; (2) they do not understand the doctrine of "grace alone"; (3) they do not understand either of these terms. It would be like saying I accept democracy, but I don't believe the people voting. Non sequitur. I think those definitions are pretty fair. In Him, Doc |
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4 | Theological Terms | NT general Archive 1 | Morant61 | 165034 | ||
Greetings Doc! I was simply trying to make the point that your definition of the terms reflect your subjective beliefs about the meaning of the terms, not an objective statement of their meaning. If the terms were used in Scripture, we could define them objectively in accordance with their use in Scripture. 'Synergism' obviously refers to a working together of wills, God and man. But, the only role that man's will plays is to accept a gift that is offered. If I carve you a statue, and then give it to you as a gift, does your acceptance of it mean that you carved it? This is the flaw that I was trying to highlight in your defintion of the term. Those who hold a synergist view do not see their will as being the cause of any aspect of salvation. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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