Herman Bavinck (Brief PhD Edit)

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Herman Bavinck (1918)(2006) equates the term regeneration with rebirth.[1]  In John 3, Jesus does not literally speak of one being born a second time, but literally insists one be born from above.

[2] Regeneration consists of a person being converted from a life of giving in to temptation to one living in relationship with God.[3]  It is the communication of divine life to a soul.

[4]  At the instance of regeneration the Holy Spirit begins a new inclination within the fallen human will.[5]  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.[6]   Within Reformed theology, regeneration is viewed as an initial one time act of the Holy Spirit in a person,[7] and a person is therefore understood to be converted and therefore able to freely believe.[8]   

Bavinck states the major difference between a Reformed view on regeneration and Schleiermacher’s view is that with the latter approach the need for a legal justification is eliminated as persons would lose any guilt toward God and would, no longer have any enmity toward the Almighty.[9] 

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.

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.

SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1799)(1961) On Religion, in Elie Kedourie, Nationalism, New York, Praeger University Series.

SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1821)(1928)(1976) The Christian Faith, Edited by H.R. Mackintosh and J.S. Stewart, Philadelphia, Fortress Press.

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. 

THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.  

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[1] Bavinck (1918)(2006: 46).

[2] Bavinck (1918)(2006: 46).

[3] Erickson (1994: 600).

[4] Thiessen (1956: 367). Although this does not make a person divine, but rather one guided by God.

[5] Shedd (1874-1890)(1980: 136 Volume 2).

[6] 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.

[7] Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172).  Erickson (1994: 249).

[8] Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172).  

[9] Schleiermacher (1821)(1928)(1976: 106-109).  Bavinck (1918)(2006: 60-61).