"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (II Peter 1: 3-4 nkjv)
Peter clearly is talking about "regeneration," or being born again, though he does not use those terms. Rather he speaks of it when he speaks of God giving "life" and things that pertain to it, and when he speaks of becoming "partakers of the divine nature," wherein one escapes the moral corruption that is in the world.
He says that this regeneration, this partaking of the divine nature, is by means of ('by") the given promises of God. But, how by the promises? Is it not by hearing of those promises (in the gospel or word of God) and believing them? Are we to believe that people are partakers of the divine nature who know not the promises, much less believe in them? Can it be said of any unbeliever that he is a partaker of the divine nature via the promises? No. Yet, our Hardshell brothers say yes. Peter says that this regeneration, this spiritual life, comes as a result of hearing and believing the promises and by "the knowledge of" the God who called them and made the promises.
Simply put, this text uproots the regeneration (or life) before faith view. Life is through faith knowledge of Christ. Partaking of the divine nature results from faith in the promises. Paul spoke of believers as being they who are "partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel." (Eph. 3: 6) How partakers? By faith in the promise. He also said "them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb. 6: 12) Is the promise of spiritual life not one of those promises?
What think ye?
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