Theology of Holiness: Part 4: Regeneration

Part 4 of our journey through an ordo salutis (order of salvation) takes us to regeneration. Regeneration is essentially the time at which our "old self" is changed into our "new selves". Of course, this isn't a complete change because salvation is a process, yet there should be noticable changes in a person who is regenerated. In this section I draw heavily from Thomas C. Oden's "life in the Spirit" and lectures from Dr. Kenneth Schenck, a scholar and theologian from whom I was able to take a life-altering class from.
While this piece may use theological terms, I assure you that it is understandable and is nothing to be intimidated by. Theology is for all. It is vital to understand what it is you feel when you accept Jesus Christ as your savior.

Regeneration
According to Dr. Ken Schenck, ..there is no Biblical word for (regeneration), but the components are there.. (Schenck, 2006, MIN543 lecture). This is reiterated by Dunning & Greathouse who wrote, ..Regeneration..is not a biblical term but one that theologians coined.. (Dunning & Greathouse, 1989, p.92). Yet, regeneration may be though of as ..a new birth, a resurrection, a new life, a new creature, a renewing of the mind, a dying to sin and living to righteousness, a translation from darkness to light.. (Hodge, 2003, p.3). The word in Greek that is most closely associated with regeneration is the word, ..palingenesia.., which ..is a compound of again, ..palin.. and birth, ..genete.. (Oden, 1994, p.156). Even so, Wesley deals with the concept of regeneration with a person as being the ..new birth.. (Wesley as cited in Lindstrom, 1980, p.107). This ..new birth.. has also been termed ..new life.. (Oden, 1994, p.158), a ..new life that is understood as liberation from bondage.. (Oden, 1994, p.163).
To Wesley, the new birth was an objective and real change that was made within a person. A new birth would signify a ..re-beginning.. (Schenck, 2006, MIN543 lecture) and a delivery from the power of sin (Lindstrom, 1980). ..New birth is followed by a life of reborn affections.. (Oden, 1994, p.175). Through the gift of the Holy Spirit and through faith demonstrated in repentance, ..the eyes of our soul (are) both opened and enlightened.. (Wesley as cited in Schenck, 2006, MIN543 lecture). In a more Calvinistic understanding, ..regeneration is a secret act of God in which he imparts new spiritual life to us.. (Grudem, 2000, p.699). This means that for the Calvinist, ..regeneration is totally a work of God.. (Grudem, 2000, p.699). This understanding of regeneration seems to limit the involvement of humanity in the act, yet it must be noted that no human can muster regeneration themselves.
I believe that the concept of regeneration is an absolute essential of any ordo salutis. Regeneration signifies a change from one state, depravity, to another, being born again. In this way, regeneration is the effect of the cause, conversion. For this reason, in my personal ordo salutis, I would place regeneration directly after conversion.
While regeneration as a Biblical word is not present, the concept is present in several passages.
..The term regeneration as used in the Scriptures means literally ..to be again... It is, therefore, to be understood as a reproduction or a restoration. The term is generally applied to the moral change which is set forth in such scriptural expressions as: born again (John 3:3, 5, 7); born of God (John 1:13; I John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18); born of the Spirit (John 3:5, 6); quickened (Eph. 2:1, 5); and, passed from death unto life (John 5:24; I John 3:14)... (Wiley, 1946, p.282)

Regeneration is also present, conceptually, in Titus 3:5, ..He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.. (NRSV). This verse implies a new ..quality of life, imparted (by) holy.. (Dunning & Greathouse, 1989, p.92) behaviors. II Corinthians 5:17 is also in this line of thought, ..If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has past away; see everything has become new.. (NRSV). ..The new birth is a spiritual transaction between God and humans rather than a physical experience.. (Bilezikian, 1993, p.156). While the term, birth, usually has physical connotations, the birth described here is much greater than that.
..Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit; and the Spirit is the Author of that new man.. (Ambrose as cited in Oden, 1994, p.164). Further, the renewal spoken of ..is a restoration of the moral image of God in which man was originally created (Wiley, 1946, p.283). This life is characterized by love, but a love that is not yet perfected (Lindstrom, 1980). Wesley believed that this new birth was ..a change wrought by God in the soul.. (Wesley as cited in Lindstrom, 1980, p.108). Interestingly, Wesley also believed that, ..if the new life is to persist and grow, activity on God..s part must always be accompanied by activity on man..s part.. (Wesley as cited in Lindstrom, 1980, p.117).
The new birth, aka regeneration, has also been described as the beginning of the process by which holiness is attained (Wood as cited in Alexander, 1988). ..Regeneration is a complete work and therefore perfect in its kind.. (Wiley, 1946, p.287). ..Only through the character and quality of this life given in regeneration can man have a positive, vital acquaintance with God.. (Wiley, 1946, p.289). Further, ..new birth is the decisive work of God in the economy of salvation whereby spiritual life in Christ is imparted by the Holy Spirit.. (John Chrysostom as cited in Oden, 1994, p.156).
So then, regeneration is also about leaving behind a life that was directed inwardly in exchange for one that is now focused outwardly. It is about living a life defined by pursuits that are more in line with the pursuits of God rather than the pursuits of man. Once again, it should be understood that regeneration is an act of God..s grace. A human is unable to regenerate themselves, regardless of their intentions. For that reason, regeneration is a precious gift and the hallmark of a Christian life.