Calvin's View of Regeneration and Rebirth

[theend0218]

First, thanks to someone in General Theology for pointing to this site. I have a question relating to the use of certain expressions, etc., and how you all understand and use them.

First, due to a thread in GT I started rereading Calvin on Regeneration again. Having started that, I realized how confusing I find his use of the term. I believe that he definitely said in his commentary on I John that no one could believe unless born of God. But he also says that regeneration follows faith. If I understand Calvin correctly, he taught that the Spirit illuminates the mind and seals the heart in bringing one to Christ. The act of uniting to Christ is of the Spirit, and that brings all of the other gifts of Christ. Regeneration is the process of renewing the image of God in the elect. I do not recall, or cannot find, in the Institutes where he says plainly that the initial act of the Spirit is the new birth, or being born of God, but I have always understood Calvin to believe this. In this way he would understand the new birth and regeneration as separate acts of the Spirit.

I have not always used the terminology in this way. I see the new birth, being born of God, and the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit as referring to the same event(s) in the NT - the act of enabling us to respond to the gospel and come to Christ in faith. I could even see the sanctification of the Spirit used in this same way as a general expresson of the work of the Spirit in uniting us to Christ and setting us apart for God.

I do see that the renewal process must continue, and in this sense I see how Calvin could use the term regeneraton (and repentance - he does indentify the two terms in the Institutes) as something that follows faith and continues throughout our life's journey with Christ.

Question: how do you understand these terms and how do you see this working out in a person's conversion? Would you use the term regeneration and born of God as referring to the same event as relates to what the Spirit does to enable faith/response to Christ?

 

[Elderone]

Welcome theend0218


Not having read much of the Institutes I am not able to answer your specific question. However, here is a Calvin's Institutes site where you can search for specific words such as regeneration, or phrases as "new birth" etc.

http://www.vor.org/rbdisk/calvin/ci_html/


The search for "new birth" came up with this: (I copied just a portion)


Book 3, Chapter 3: Regeneration by faith. Of repentance.

This chapter is divided into five parts:

I. The title of the chapter seems to promise a treatise on Faith, but the only subject here considered is Repentance, the inseparable attendant of faith. And, first, various opinions on the subject of repentance are stated, Section 1 - 4.

II. An exposition of the orthodox doctrine of Repentance, Section 5 - 9.

III. Reasons why repentance must be prolonged to the last moment of life, Section 10 - 14.

IV. Of the fruits of repentance, or its object and tendency, Section 15 - 20.

V. The source whence repentance proceeds, Section 21 - 24. Of the sin against the Holy Spirit, and the impenitence of the reprobate, Section 25.



I hope this is of some help.

 

[theend0218]

Elderone, thanks. I have a copy, and did read those sections and others that speak to some of the same issues. The link will be great, though, as it is often easier to work on the net. The index alone is worth its weight in gold. I appreciate your taking the time to do this for me. Hope all is well with you and yours.