Subject: Theological Terms |
Bible Note: 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. |