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

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