Regeneration Before Faith Proof Texts

Most of the arguments for the regeneration before faith view are logically based, deductions made from the doctrine of total depravity. They are not based upon plain declarations of scripture. However, the faith before rebirth view has many texts of scripture that plainly support it, so that it does not rely upon logical deduction alone for that view. We who say that faith precedes the new birth rather believe such because of inductive reasoning, not by deductive logic (which in this case is really not logical). On the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning one dictionary says:

"Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to broad generalizations, and deductive reasoning the other way around." (See here)

The dictionary gives the following "Example": 

"You observe 1000 flights from low-cost airlines. All of them experience a delay, which is in line with your theory. However, you can never prove that flight 1001 will also be delayed. Still, the larger your dataset, the more reliable the conclusion." 

 

How does this apply to our study of the order salutis of faith and regeneration? It is because the "observable facts" are the biblical texts that deal with regeneration and faith. Observing all those texts one can induce some things from all of them, can see what they all have in common. In none of them is regeneration divorced from repentance and faith, or from evangelical conversion. Since that is the case, the deductive argument from total depravity becomes invalid. The facts disprove the theory.

Concerning the "deductive research approach" the same dictionary says: 

"When conducting deductive research, you always start with a theory (the result of inductive research). Reasoning deductively means testing these theories. If there is no theory yet, you cannot conduct deductive research."

This is so true. Logical deductions, to be valid, must be deduced from premises proven by observation of the facts. The proposition "regeneration precedes faith" is not a proven fact from any observable text; In fact, many texts deny it, putting regeneration after faith. Nor is it a proven fact (proposition) that the dead cannot do anything till made alive. What is impossible is possible with Omnipotence. 

Now, it is true that God cannot do the logically impossible (such as make a square circle) but this is not the case with those who are spiritually dead. God can make the dead to hear. (John 5: 25) He can make the deaf to hear, the blind to see. In the story of Ezekiel and the resurrection of the dry dead bones the dead bodies were active in regenerating, with sinews and muscle and organs returning to the bones, and then finally came alive when the breath of the Almighty was breathed into their restored corpses. In fact, just listen to that gospel song "dem bones" and you will hear about bones coming together. (Listen here and here) In fact, those dead dry bones were told to "hear the word of the Lord." Well, that is enough for me to show that the argument that the dead cannot do anything is false. In these cases the observable facts disprove the theory that says "one must have life before he can do anything" or "the dead cannot do anything till first alive."

But, this proposition must be first induced from observable statements in scripture. The problem however is that there are no scriptures that affirm it. In fact we have texts that disprove it. Unless that is proven, the deduction made from it is not valid (that says the spiritually dead cannot hear, believe, etc.).

Said Paige Patterson (here emphasis mine):

"Many Calvinists (though not all) argue that regeneration precedes repentance and faith. But this position seems necessitated by human logic rather than the teaching of Scripture. To be sure, salvation is the act of God from beginning to end so that our redemption is by grace alone, the act of a sovereign God."

But, the faith precedes regeneration view does not rely on human logic but upon what is clearly stated in scripture. I am also glad that Patterson did not do as others and affirm that all Calvinists believe in regeneration before faith. He says rightly that "not all" Calvinists believe this. I just wish other writers would be honest and admit this. Arminians say this and some Calvinists say this. But, they are stating a untruth. Many Calvinists and Reformers did not teach regeneration before faith. We have cited many Calvinists in this and the Baptist Gadfly blog which shows this to be the case.

Patterson also said:

"Calvinists often press the analogy of “deadness” in ways that the Scriptures do not. The spiritually “dead” are actually quite active since those who are “dead in trespasses and sins” are “walking according to the course of this world” (Eph. 2:1-3). The Spirit of God issues a call to salvation to all men because “God is not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). Those who hear and respond, repent and believe the Gospel — and they are regenerated simultaneously."

I will not elaborate on spiritual death now but will, the Lord willing, have a separate posting upon that alone in the near future (its in the draft stage now). But I will say this; Patterson is right on how many (not all) Calvinists explain the nature of the "deadness" that characterizes unbelievers. As Jonathan Edwards, Andrew Fuller, and many others have written, the inability of sinners is not physical but moral and spiritual. I too have posted several articles on this. 

We see so many bible texts that expressly say that all aspects of personal salvation are received by faith.

Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to broad generalizations, and deductive reasoning the other way around. Therefore, based upon the pertinent bible texts, these observable facts, we induce that faith precedes regeneration. 

Spiders have eight legs. How do we know this? Is it not because every spider we have ever observed has eight legs? Now, it is possible that a mutation could occur where a spider had nine legs. What do we do then? Redefine "spider"? Or, do we restate the proposition and say "all spiders, except in cases of mutation, have eight legs"? 

But, in this case, there is no single instance where it can be shown that a text of scripture (observable fact) asserts the proposition that says 1) "regeneration precedes faith" or 2) "the dead have no activity prior to coming to life." In fact, there are scriptures that disprove the propositions as I have noted above, and upon which I have written upon over the years, and upon which I will expand further. 

We look at all the texts dealing with salvation, with regeneration, etc., and discern whether faith be the condition, means, or vehicle, or instrument. We look at what order the biblical writers placed faith in relation to the various aspects of applied salvation. In this series we will look at the most pertinent passages of scripture that are given in support of the regeneration before faith view. I have already done this in several postings through the years but will try to incorporate those postings into one series. 

We will, however, begin with a series of texts that support the faith before salvation view, including regeneration and rebirth, as I have already done in many posts, but will add to that list. Thus, having looked at all the arguments and texts, both pro and con, we will then look at what the leading commentaries and interpreters have said on the subject. We will then consider the consequences of each view as respects evangelism, Hyper Calvinism, Antinomianism, etc.

Many Calvinists have no problem with a spiritually dead man being convicted of sin before regeneration, in some cases conviction enduring for many days, months, even years--yet how can a "dead" man (as they understand the term) anymore come under conviction, feel guilt, sense a drawing to Christ, than he can believe? To be consistent, they would have to also teach regeneration before conviction, which is what our Hardshell brethren have done. But, many people who experienced conviction, like Judas, were not saved.

Further, as nearly all Calvinists no doubt will confess, not only is the unregenerate state likened to death but so too is it compared to being seriously or deathly sick. The following text has often been used by Calvinists in their talks on "total depravity." 

"Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint." (Isa. 1: 5)

The lost sinner is both sick and dead. The former adjective should cause us to not take the metaphor of death too far. But, again, I will deal with that a little more fully in a separate posting on spiritual death and life. The same could be said about texts that describe the unregenerate state as one of deafness and blindness.

Texts Supporting Faith Preceding Regeneration

The ones I have already written in support are:

1. Repentance Unto Life (Acts 11: 18 - here)

2. Life Comes From Possessing Christ (I John 5: 11-12 - here)

3. Quickened By Faith (Col. 2: 12 - here)

4. By Faith A Partaker of the Divine Nature (I Peter 1: 3-4 - here)

Other Texts

5. John 1: 12-13

6. John 3: 16, 33

7. John 5: 40

8. John 6: 44-45

9. John 20: 31

10. Eph. 2: 8

(to be added to)

On these texts I have written upon many times previously in various postings dealing with the ordo salutis.

As I have recently shown, there is no support for regeneration before faith in the Book of Romans. Quite the contrary. See the posting "Regeneration In Romans" (here).

I have also written much in rebuttal to the texts offered by the regenerated before faith view and will list them in a separate series, enlarging upon our investigation into the true meaning of those texts.