I guess Calvin was a hyper-Calvinist:) First of all, singling out one proposition out of the entire system of Scriptural teaching is to distort theology. The golden chain of salvation begins with unconditional election before the foundation of the world, not with conversion. Saying that regeneration does not save is a stupid and misplaced comment since regeneration is an absolutely essential doctrine of Calvinism. Regeneration is a sovereign decree of God that precedes faith and conversion. Without regeneration any act of the will is impossible, including conversion, faith, repentance, and obedience.

Furthermore, even sanctification is a monergistic work of God in the hearts of the elect. (Philippians 2:13). Saying that the elect have moral agency and a will does not imply that there is libertarian free will. That is Arminianism, not Calvinism. The reprobate were destined to stumble. (1 Peter 2:8). God raised up Pharaoh for the express purpose of hardening his heart and destroying him in the Red Sea. (Exodus 4:21; 7:21; Romans 9:18-22). God made the wicked for the day of doom. (Proverbs 16:4).

The problem with riding the fence is that you end up being bosom buddies with Arminian heretics and denouncing Calvinists as "hyper" Calvinists. Common grace is Arminianism, plain and simple. The idea that the deciding factor in salvation is "choice" is nothing more than Arminianism. Faith is itself a sovereign gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9). The "work" of God is the gift of believing:

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:29 KJV)

Salvation is all of God's grace and there is nothing whatsoever that anyone can do to make himself believe. God alone can cause a dead sinner to believe in the Son of God. (John 5:25).

Charlie J. Ray

http://reasonablechristian.blogspot.com


Last edited by Cranmer; Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:56 PM.
For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJ)