Calvin details his ordo salutis in his commentary on John 1:13. He writes:
"The Evangelist says that those who believe are already born of God. Hence it follows, first, that faith does not proceed from ourselves, but is the fruit of spiritual regeneration; for the Evangelist affirms that no man can believe, unless he be begotten of God; and therefore faith is a heavenly gift. It follows, secondly, that faith is not bare or cold knowledge, since no man can believe who has not been renewed by the Spirit of God."
One might conclude here that Calvin believes that regeneration precedes faith. Calvin makes the same observation, but his conclusion differs. He continues, "It may be thought that the Evangelist reverses the natural order by making regeneration to precede faith, whereas, on the contrary, it is an effect of faith, and therefore ought to be placed later."
The removal of original sin and its condemnation requires justification, which is by faith (Rom. 5:1); faith precedes justification. Adam fell and died because he was condemned; he was not condemned because he died. Reversing Adam's sin required first removing the condemnation - which is justification - before restoring life. Justification was accomplished for us at the Cross, and His work must not be compromised by an unbiblical ordo salutis.
As I have shown before, Calvin did not believe in regeneration before faith. In "Calvin on Faith & Regeneration" (here) I cited Calvin's comment on 1 Corinthians 13:13, where Calvin says
"In fine, it is by faith that we are born again, that we become the sons of God -- that we obtain eternal life, and that Christ dwells in us."
If one reads the writings of the authors of the 1689 London Baptist confession, he will see how they nearly all affirmed that sinners are born again by faith.
Further, understand that when writers say that "Calvinists" put regeneration before faith, they are wrong. Some Calvinists do this, especially the Hyper Calvinists, but not all Calvinists. I have cited many leading Calvinists who, like Luther and Calvin, did not believe this. So, writers need to stop saying this and rather say "some Calvinists put regeneration before faith."
1 comment:
Aside from what Calvin and Luther taught, my question is: "Can a spiritually dead sinner exercise saving faith?" According to Ephesians 2:1-8, quickening--being made alive (vs. 5)--occurs first before faith (vs. 8). My view is that regeneration precedes faith in the sense of cause and effect, OCCURRING SIMULTANEOUSLY. regeneration being the cause, faith being the effect. (Please address follow-up comments to jroden68@hotmail.com)
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