We must ask the same thing of Dr. John Piper, Dr. James White, etc., i.e. where does the Bible teach a partial regeneration, one that excludes evangelical faith and repentance, or conversion? I wrote an article on this statement by Piper (here). Piper says a person is regenerated or born again before he "believes" in Christ, before he "comes" to Christ, before he "receives Christ," before he "repents" and "turns to God," before he is converted from false religion and false gods, yea, even before he is convicted of sin. Is he not the one then who believes in a partial regeneration? A regeneration that does not include conversion is no regeneration at all. Where in the Bible are men said to be born again before or apart from being converted?
Not only is Piper the one who believes in a very restricted or partial regeneration, but he believes a person is regenerated before he is justified or forgiven of sins! Imagine that! He says justification comes after faith but regeneration occurs before faith and thus we have regenerated people who are still condemned. Not only that, but unconverted people are still in their sins. What saith the scriptures?
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19 nkjv)
So, if a person was regenerated before he repented or was converted, then he was regenerated yet while unforgiven.
Piper believes that sinners are justified by faith, and in that he is correct. But, when he says people are regenerated before faith he has an odd character, one who is regenerated but not justified. Now, who is it that really believes in a partial regeneration?
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