Thankful Thursday

Back in August when the Chilean mine thing started to unfold, I decided to avoid most of the news coverage because the whole situation had “bad outcome” written all over it. But once the miners were discovered alive, I began to pray for their safe rescue, still afraid, mind you, to pay much attention to the news stories about them.

God answered my prayer and the prayers of people world-wide, and all 33 miners have been delivered from the depths in an operation that was faster and more trouble-free than anyone expected—a better outcome, really, than anyone could even hope for. Today I am thankful for God’s saving hand, which was there from start to finish, guiding the rescue operation and restoring these men to their families and to their lives. Women who could have been widows and children who could have been fatherless have, once again, husbands and fathers. What’s more, God brought miners and others to faith during this unbelievably difficult trial, saving them from something worse than physical death. For all these things, I am rejoicing and giving thanks to God “from whom all blessings flow.”

On Thursdays throughout this year, I plan to post a few thoughts of thanksgiving along with Kim at the Upward Call and others. Why don’t you participate by posting your thanksgiving each week, too? It’ll be an encouragement to you and to others, I promise.

Round the Sphere Again: Pieces of Church History

Confession
Here’s a short piece on the history of the Scots Confession by Liam Goligher at Reformation 21 Blog. You can also read the confession and see a larger image of the title page (shown right).

Confrontation
George Whitefield wrote a famous and fascinating letter to John Wesley in response to Wesley’s sermon, Free Grace (From Reformation Files—a place you really should visit). You can read Iain Murray on the background of this letter at The Spurgeon Archive (a place you’re already visited, right?).

Confusion
Kim quotes Archibald Alexander on the revival in Kentucky in the early 19th century (The Upward Call). Who, you ask, is Archibald Alexander?

Theological Term of the Week

As you can probably tell, I’d be firmly on the monergism side of this debate.

synergism
The view “that there are two efficient agents in regeneration, namely the human will and the divine Spirit, which, in the strict sense of the term, cooperate,” and that, therefore, humankind “has not lost in the fall all inclination toward holiness, nor all power to seek for it under the influence of ordinary motives.”1

• Two texts from scripture used as proof texts for synergism:

  The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:9 ESV) 

  Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? (Galatians 3:2 ESV)
  

• From The Wesleyan Church Articles of Religion:

  VIII. Personal Choice
  
  224. We believe that humanity’s creation in the image of God included ability to choose between right and wrong. Thus individuals were made morally responsible for their choices. But since the fall of Adam, people are unable in their own strength to do the right. This is due to original sin, which is not simply the following of Adam’s example, but rather the corruption of the nature of each mortal, and is reproduced naturally in Adam’s descendants. Because of it, humans are very far gone from original righteousness, and by nature are continually inclined to evil. They cannot of themselves even call upon God or exercise faith for salvation. But through Jesus Christ the prevenient grace of God makes possible what humans in self effort cannot do. It is bestowed freely upon all, enabling all who will to turn and be saved.

  X. Repentance and Faith
  
  228. We believe that for men and women to appropriate what God’s prevenient grace has made possible, they must voluntarily respond in repentance and faith. The ability comes from God, but the act is the individual’s ….

  XI. Justification, Regeneration and Adoption
  
  230. …We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that work of the Holy Spirit whereby, when one truly repents and believes, one’s moral nature is given a distinctively spiritual life with the capacity for love and obedience. This new life is received by faith in Jesus Christ, it enables the pardoned sinner to serve God with the will and affections of the heart, and by it the regenerate are delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate.

Learn more:

1. John Hendryx: Two Views of Regeneration
2. John Hendryx: Monergism vs. Synergism
3. Alan Kurschner: Synergism Belongs in a Car Dealership, Not in Divine Salvation
4. Bob DeWaay: Recovering Reformation Theology
5. Fred Butler: Identifying the Heart of the Debate: Synergism vs. Monergism (mp3)

Related terms:

• monergism
• regeneration

1 Century Dictionary

Do you have a a theological term you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it.

I’m also interested in any suggestions you have for tweaking my definitions or for additional (or better) articles or sermons/lectures for linking. I’ll give you credit and a link back to your blog if I use your suggestion.

Clicking on the Theological Term graphic at the top of this post will take you to a list of all the previous theological terms organized in alphabetical order or by topic.