Bible Question:
Dear Doc; Thank you for the interesting reply. You listed the "ordo salutis" from the viewpoint of two separate theological camps. In the reformed camp the inward call is listed before regeneration. It seems to me that any inward call to those who are spiritually dead would be useless. Wouldn't it make more sense if the inward call came after "regeneration?" The dead cannot hear, can they, so why list an inward call before regeneration? Next in the Arminian camp the events in order as you listed them seem, at least to me to be an impossible order of events. In that list regeneration comes after repentannce. How can an unregenerate spiritually dead man repent. The dead can do nothing until they have been acted upon by a life giving power outside their ownselves can they? Or am I mistaken? my widows mite worth New Creature |
Bible Answer: Yes, New, good observations. I'd have placed regeneration first based on my understanding of Reformed theology, but when I looked it up, that's how it was listed. I am even harder pressed on the Arminian side of things. I can only hardily agree with you. I fear saying much more lest I plunge this thread into that netherworld where controversies tend to go go on this forum. :-) One thing that should be pointed out: In the former camp there is an admission that the ordo salutis is somewhat synthetic. That is, it is recognized that what we are trying to dissect is a single act of God. Hence, some of the items might well occur simultaneously. Time is, after all, the context in which the human mind operates -- a context to which God is not subject. I suspect that the latter camp might agree at least in principle with this sentiment. |