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PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter,
2010: Theodicy and Practical Evil
For those
chosen in Jesus Christ, regeneration[1]
takes place which is a powerful change in the human being via the Holy Spirit,[2] which transforms one corrupt and in sin in opposition to God,[3]
to one pleasing to God and trusting in God.
It is a new ‘vital principle, a new habit, the law of God, and a divine
nature’ are framed in a human heart.[4] Herman Bavinck (1918)(2006) equates the term
regeneration with rebirth.[5] In John 3, Jesus does not literally speak of
one being born a second time, but literally insists one be born from above.[6] Regeneration consists of a person being
converted from a life of giving in to temptation to one living in relationship
with God.[7] It is the communication of divine life to a
soul.[8] At the instance of regeneration the Holy
Spirit begins a new inclination within the fallen human will.[9] The human being is given a divine
inclination, not of self, as it is contrary to the his or her fallen
inclination, by the Holy Spirit.[10]
BAVINCK,
HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics
Volume 2: God and Creation, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend,
Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
BAVINCK,
HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics
Volume 3: Sin and Salvation in Christ, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by
John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
ERICKSON,
MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology,
Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON,
MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and
When Does He Know It? Grand Rapids,
Zondervan.
KIERKEGAARD,
SOREN (1847-1848)(1955)(1966) On Authority and Revelation, Translated
by Walter Lowrie, New York, Harper and Row, Publishers, Incorporated.
KIERKEGAARD,
SOREN (1848-1849)(1961) Christian Discourses & The Lilies of the Field and
The Birds of the Air & Three Discourses at The Communion on Fridays,
Translated by Walter Lowrie, New York, Oxford University Press.
MURRAY, JOHN
(1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2: Select Lectures
in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.
PACKER, J.I.
(1973) Knowing God, Downers Grove,
Illinois, InterVarsity Press.
PACKER, J.I.
(1996) ‘Regeneration’ in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
SHEDD, WILLIAM
G.T. (1874-1890)(1980) Dogmatic Theology,
Volume 1, Nashville, Thomas Nelson
Publishers.
SHEDD, WILLIAM
G.T. (1874-1890)(1980) Dogmatic Theology,
Volume 2, Nashville, Thomas Nelson
Publishers.
[3] Murray (1937-1966)(1977:
168-169). Soren Kierkegaard states that ‘sin is man’s
destruction.’ Kierkegaard
(1847-1848)(1955)(1966: 108).
[8] Thiessen (1956:
367). Although this does not make a person divine, but rather one guided by
God.
[10] Shedd
(1874-1890)(1980: 136 Volume 2). Packer
views regeneration as the new birth and an inner re-creating of the fallen human
nature through and by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Packer (1996: 924). I would not use the term re-create, but
instead view regeneration as a process by which God begins to transform an
individual to be Christ-like, as in
ultimately being a sinless human being.
This culminates in the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15.
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