Spurgeoncouragement
"In the resurrection of Christ, as in our salvation, nothing short of divine power was employed. What can we say of those who think that conversion is brought about by the free will of man and is due to his own good character? When we see the dead rise from their graves by their own power, then we can expect to see ungodly sinners turning to Christ of their own free will.
"The preached or read Word, in itself, does not bring this divine power. All quickening power proceeds from the Holy Spirit. The power that raised Christ from the dead was irresistible. All the soldiers and the high priests could not keep the body of Christ in the tomb. Death itself could not hold Jesus in its chains. ...
"If God omnipotently says, 'You will,' man cannot say, 'I will not.' ...
"God receives great glory in the conversion of every sinner. ...
"Therefore, since we have been raised from the dead in Christ, we do not go back to our dead works or old corruptions. "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3) ... note that the new life is united to Jesus. The same power that raised the Head works life in the members."
- Morning and Evening, by Charles Spurgeon, revised Modern English version, September 3rd evening devotion
Labels: Regeneration, Spurgeon
posted by Anonymous at 10:09 AM
13 Comments:
Mark,
I hope you don't mind my posting this so soon. When I read this recently, I was going to post it on my own blog, but then I read your most recent post, and this seemed to go along with what you wrote, so I posted it here now.
September 10, 2007 10:26 AM
I want to also add that the quote of Spurgeon's in this post does not contradict Spurgeon's quote that Jazzy included to your (Mark's) last post:
And further........
The first thing, then, that God the Holy Spirit doth in the soul is, to regenerate it. We must always learn to distinguish between regeneration and conversion.
Spurgeon sounds pretty solid on his view to me.....
I noticed the word "conversion" in this post of mine, but I have the revised modern English version of Morning and Evening (aka Spurgeon for Dummies :-).
I think it's clear, even so, that Spurgeon advocated regeneration preceding faith. Monergism through and through.
September 10, 2007 11:04 AM
Again, right on!!!
September 10, 2007 11:11 AM
Converion (faith and repentance) is ALWAYS the RESULT of regeneration.
September 10, 2007 11:13 AM
Susan,
Good post. Once this view is understood, semi-pelagian views are seen to be ripe with inconsistencies and error. Where the foundation is faulty, so to will be the building.
September 10, 2007 11:10 PM
Mark and Susan,
At the UOG blog a sermon by Spurgeon has been posted that is alleged to show that Spurgeon does not hold to regeneration preceding faith.
It does not do that all. It is a great sermon where Spurgeon is simply advocating preaching the good news of the gospel to lost sinners. Come to faith in Christ without any getting your life in order or doing preparation is his message. It is a message the Calvinist here agree with. I might add the Calvinist that started and perfected EE taught the same message. Spurgeon is right to say that salvation is a free gift that is received by faith and trust in Christ. This is not a denial of regeneration preceding faith. It is advocating preaching the good news of the gospel to lost sinners.
I am not going to comment over there as the truth sometimes gets distorted. Antonio, if you are going to believe Spurgeon, I would suggest you believe his preaching of the whole counsel of God and not just the part that appears to support a whole FG theology when in reality it only supports the part you have right. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ and is a free gift.
I don't disagree with Spurgeon at all in this sermon. It does not contridict Calvinism at all.....
Wayne
September 10, 2007 11:43 PM
Wayne, check out this thread......
http://mdpmusings.blogspot.com/search?q=Warrant+of+Faith+-+Spurgeon
September 11, 2007 7:52 AM
Wayne,
I've found my time is better spent reading blogs with which I agree theologically.
There are only so many hours in a day, and I have found that discussions on other-than-Reformed blogs don't help me grow in grace.
For the most part, they don't seem to develop fruitful conversations - at least not that I've noticed - and in fact can become quite hostile (deletion of comments without explanation; antagonistic posts, titles, etc).
I'm best off staying away from them and focusing on proclaiming truth in more positive and respectful places.
September 11, 2007 11:36 AM
Susan, it can be the other way round sometimes too.
I have had my comments deleted by Reformed bloggers before. I have had plenty of nasty, objectionable comments from Reformed bloggers too.
I think we should all try to be nice. Like the apostle Paul says 'Be ye kind.' I wish all Christians would follow that.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
September 11, 2007 12:00 PM
Matthew,
I don't doubt you at all, and I'm sorry that anyone has to go through that kind of experience among Christian brethren - or at least those purporting to be. No single theological system has a monopoly of good behavior among its adherents.
As for myself, I just find that it's better for me to focus on what I believe to be true and stay there rather than engage back and forth in debates that seem to go nowhere.
Sometimes I suppose folks observing such discussions can glean new information, but for the most part, I find myself discouraged by such engagement and have decided it's best for my Christian walk and talk to stay and focus on Reformed blogs.
I certainly welcome and enjoy involvement and discussion by non-Reformed Christians here and at my own blog, but for myself, I am discouraged by engagements between non-like-minded professing believers on other blogs.
I think in large part it may be due to the impersonal medium of engagement (long-distance written-word-only), and to some extent as well the variety of participants' personalities.
I've noticed that professional (for lack of better word) face-to-face debates between thinkers of different theologies is more encouraging and enlightening to me.
Granted, I've learned most of what I know or have been pointed to where to read for more info through the Internet blogosphere, but I'm at a point now where the perceived bickering or sharp exchanges and misunderstandings are just not where I want to dwell. It's not fruitful for me.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8)
September 11, 2007 1:17 PM
Dear Susan,
Great post. I think the more you stand up for truth, the more folks will turn on you, even Christians.
Last year we belonged to a small group that got together to study the word of God. We loved meeting every 2 weeks with these folks. Then subjects like election, law, predestination started to come into the study and we could not believe what the group thought, there were a few that we agreed with, but most did not. There was one man that we thought so much of, that would make fun every time my husband tried to explain it too him, he would laugh or make a joke about it. It finally came to a head and we are not a part of the group anymore, we were very hurt by it all but we feel maybe the Lord has led us out the group. I know we as christians are not going to agree on everything, but you can not be around folks that are not like-minded. It is just to difficult, I mean my husband was very gentle about it, trying to explain what we believe and were
ostrosized. I am going to be totally honest here, christians can sometimes hurt you more then the world, we know what to expect from the world. Sorry for venting, it just has been difficult these past few months. All I know is the more you stand for truth it seems the more people can turn on you.
Cristina
September 11, 2007 11:05 PM
Matthew, you are always welcome here, friend.
September 12, 2007 8:35 AM
Cristina,
That was very insightful and I am deeply appreciative that you shared it. It helps to know we’re not alone.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you wrote that Christians can hurt you even more than those of the world.
I went through a similar experience as yours when my husband and I left our church one year ago. In fact, in hindsight, I know God's hand was in the move, although there was much we couldn't understand at the time. It was terribly painful as we lost a few friends and were also somewhat shunned by the pastor.
It was really difficult to understand, as I was just learning about Reformed theology and had questions as well as enthusiasm about it, but learned during the process that the local assembly of churches (mostly Southern Baptist) have a deep division regarding Reformed theology. I heard of the conflict, but didn’t know much more until…
December, when we walked into a church that had pamphlets of MacArthur, Sproul, Pink, Spurgeon, etc in the lobby. I knew we were in the right place. We started worshipping there and later came to hear that our current pastor (Reformed) is somewhat regarded the same way among the assembly of churches as we felt in the previous church we attended.
I realize though that we’re in the right place and we need to just focus on what we know to be the Truth of God’s sovereignty for His glory. Since coming to this church, I have learned more Biblical truth in half a year than I’ve learned in many years prior in man-centered churches. And I suppose that has helped in taking my focus off the petty concerns thrown our way.
I appreciate what you wrote here. Thank you so much.
September 12, 2007 11:39 AM
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