The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum John 3:3 Question

Then you need to get back with this man and ask him a few important questions, e.g.,
1. What in the Greek does he believe justifies his view contrary to the vast majority of expositors?

2. He is NOT "like all Reformed believers that something must occur before anyone believes. That is far too broad a statement which I am sure is meant to allow him to hold his view. Reformed believers (consult any Reformed Confession or Catechism) are indisputably clear that regeneration must occur before faith because faith is the RESULT of regeneration. Thus, you also need to ask him if he holds to the Reformed doctrine of "Total Depravity" as it is stated in the historic Reformed confessions/catechisms.

3. Historic Arminianism (not modern evangelical semi-Pelagianism) would agree with him, i.e., regeneration follows faith and that something must occur before faith can be exercised, i.e.,. "Prevenient Grace", whereby the Holy Spirit "enables" a sinner to believe and consequent to that, regeneration follows. This prevenient grace is not efficacious, so they held, for the sinner can resist the Holy Spirit and remain in unbelief if he so chose.

The "elongated view" holds that someone can be regenerated by the Holy Spirit and then after an "elongated" period of time be converted. This is typically applied to "covenant children".

This is indisputably NOT held by those who are Reformed. It IS held by a rare few who call themselves Reformed, but they are totally at variance with ALL the Reformed confessions and catechisms. Total Depravity necessitates Irresistible Grace (regeneration) else one cannot even have an interest in Christ. A new nature/heart needs to be created out of which flows faith.

So, get back with this man and ask some pointed questions.