Does John 1:12-13 teach monergism?

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Jon Sellers | PentecostalTheology.com

               

The NIV translates it husband. The Greek is andros. The NASB translates andros various ways depending on context. NASB Translation brethren* (13), gentlemen (1), husband (39), husbands (13), man (71), man’s (2), men (70), virgin* (1).

If you read my comments carefully, you would have already seen that I acknowledged the universal nature of those verses. Do I need to say some specific words to please you. So I did not ignore the immediate context as you accuse me. What I brought in that seems to have flown past you is the value of the broader context of John’s entire gospel. The discussion of ch. 8 is important. I was happy to see that Carson brought it up also.

So while you wonder if I “take this approach to every text- that is ignoring the immediate context? ” I guess I have to wonder where you learned to jump to accusatory assumptions in the first conversation. This is our first conversation. This is the first passage of scripture that you and I have discussed. How is it your mind jumps to questioning my approach to all scripture? Is it possible that because of your exposure and imbibing of Calvinist/Reformed teachers and are one yourself, that you believe that Pentecostals have a faulty or non-existent hermeneutic?

Why are you on this page? Are you looking for ammunition to teach against Pentecostals in the Philippines? Why would a Calvinist want to better understand Pentecostalism if not to learn more about what you wish to teach against? Do you think most Pentecostals are Pelagian? Do you think Arminius was a heretic? Do you think Arminians today are Pelagian or semi-Pelagian? Do you susbribe to John MacArthur’s and R.C. Sproul’s views against Pentecostal/Charismatic groups as they presented in the Strange Fire conference and book?

Are you a cessationist? Based on your demeanor toward me, why are you here?

Barry G. Carpenter [06/29/2015 7:47 PM]
Wow- you made this person very fast. Ok, sir, I’ll just leave you alone. God bless.

Jon Sellers [06/29/2015 8:52 PM]
Really, it is not personal for me. I was shocked at your question about if I regularly ignore context. I mean, what kind of question is that? It is based on an assumption, isn’t it? Even after I agreed to that context, you still challenged me. Yet, you never showed how a universal emphasis in the prologue would change my interpretation. Why not?

Also, since you teach seminary courses, why not demonstrate a superior exegesis? I quoted a well-reknowned, Reformed N. T. scholar on v. 13,… no response from you. Do you disagree with Carson too? Is he making it up out of whole cloth?

The questions I have asked you are not attacks, but based on your ministry of teaching Calvinism, debating non- Calvinists, teaching that Arminians are semi-Pelagian. Have you read Roger Olson’s book, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities? Please do some due diligence and read it before you teach more errors regarding Arminian theology. Calvinists have been lying about Arminius and Arminian theology for 400 years, it is past time for them to stop.

26 Comments

  • Reply May 2, 2016

    Ed Brewer

    no

  • Reply May 3, 2016

    Louise Cummings

    I m not to familiar with that word. Even though I read the article on it. I believe everyone has a choice to receive God. Or a choice to reject Him. I don’t believe God president some to go to hell. And some to go to Heaven. I believe He died for us all to go to Heaven. But man is the only one that God made to make choices. And a lot of people doesn’t choose God by their
    Own choice. God gave every one a chance. I Choose God.

  • Reply May 3, 2016

    Varnel Watson

    Jon Sellers pointed out that John is speaking against the backdrop of Jewish belief that they are all descendants of Abraham by birth. They can identify themselves by tribe. But Jesus has already rebuked the Pharisees for claiming to be children of Abraham, but not doing the deeds of Abraham http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/does-john-112-13-teach-monergism/

  • Reply May 4, 2016

    Varnel Watson

    Monergism is the position in Christian theology that God, through the Holy Spirit, works to bring about the salvation of an individual through spiritual regeneration http://www.gotquestions.org/monergism-vs-synergism.html

  • Reply May 4, 2016

    Louise Cummings

    I still don’t understand these terms all together. You mad each category clear. But not really for me. We didn’t bring these words up in any of our Bible studies that I know of. One I have heard of before. But I do not believe in unconditional eternal security. I would be afraid The Blood of Jesus would be required at my hands to tell people they could be born again or saved. And lived for the Lord a little while then start sinning again, like before. But because they were saved once. When Jesus was talking to the Churches in Revelation. John wrote to them chapter 3:20-22. Jesus said ( Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone or any man hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and with him, and he with Me. ). ThenHe told the Laodiceans Because you are lukewarm , and neither hot or cold I will spue you out of My mouth. I believe if you are a Christian , live like one. I believe that was the reason the forbidden tree was put in the garden of Eden. Was to give man a choice to listen to God and obey Him or turn Him away and do their own thing. ( my opinion ) l don’t believe God wants to make us serve Him. But because we believe in Him and love Him. I do believe God is Omniscience. All knowing. But still wants everyone to Love and serve Him because He died for us. She’d His Blood for us. Payed my penalty for me. But He gave us a choice to except it. Like He gave the children of Israel a chance to look to the brazen serpent , when bitten by a poison snake. Represented sin. The only way they could live was to look on the brazen. Pointing to theCross in The New Testament. The only way we can have Eternal Life , is look to The Cross. Because Jesus is The Door. The only way in to Eternal life. I don’t know category that puts me in. Lol.

  • Reply May 4, 2016

    Louise Cummings

    I don’t believe in predestination. The way some people does. It’s somewhere in the Bible , I didn’t look it up. He said He is not willing for any to perish. But that all should come to repentance. I believe that’s the same place where He said He is Long suffering. Not willing for any should perish. ( what a great God we serve. ). Willing that none should perish. I got up with a song on my mind this week. I hadn’t heard in a long time. It says , There is a Fountain Filled With Blood. Drawn From Immanuel’s Veins. And sinners plunge beneath the flow. Lose all their guilt and shame or stains I cry just writing about it. Immanuel means God with us. But to think of what a Savior that was willing to become man and walk this lowly path that led to Calvary. Where His Blood Red stains. It Broke All The Chains. And Said That ( I) Could Still. Go Free. Even said He would put me inHis Will. Oh what God has in store for those that Love Him. I heard a saying once that’s so true. He takes a black heart ( meaning sin ) and washed it in Red Blood , and washed it White As Snow. Only God could do that.

  • Mary Ellen Nissley
    Reply July 3, 2016

    Mary Ellen Nissley

    This article got it backwards. The verse has it the other way around.
    John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
    John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

    #1. There was first a choice whether or not to receive Him.
    #2. Next, all who received, became sons of God.
    #3. And then, it says that the process of becoming a son of God is not by our own will, but by God’s.

    But notice that first the choice was made to receive, before the birth happened. It is the birth that was of God’s will. Not the choice to receive.

    Because it is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
    If it were all up to God, every man would repent of their sins.
    (I dare you to say it’s not his will for every man to repent!)
    But He doesn’t force them to, does he?

    Therefore, just because something is God’s will, doesn’t mean it happens. He leaves some things up to us.

  • Varnel Watson
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Varnel Watson

    yeah Ricky Grimsley I dont think so.Christ is Son from Eternity and to Eternity

  • Ricky Grimsley
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Ricky Grimsley

    Sure this scripture implies synergism since we have “the right” “if we believe” but i dont see how this scripture proves that past eternal sonship.

  • Charles Page
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Charles Page

    The salvation context here is synergistic

  • Varnel Watson
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Varnel Watson

    Biblical synergism is the expressed cooperation of God’s will and the will of man working together toward the salvific restoration of the creation

  • Ricky Grimsley
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Ricky Grimsley

    Im not a Calvinist but its only by grace that we even want to get saved right?
    Philippians 2:13 KJVS
    [13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

  • Charles Page
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Charles Page

    Semi Pelagianism?

  • Ricky Grimsley
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Ricky Grimsley

    No. Grace alone. It’s by grace you even want to do good or do good. We cant choose to regenerate if the spirit doesnt draw us?

  • Charles Page
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Charles Page

    We can’t choose to be regenerated
    Regeneration is a monergistic grace
    It’s unmerited favor

  • Tony Conger
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Tony Conger

    How do we even have the option for salvation if we can’t choose it? Obviously no man comes to God unless the Spirit draws him so the question is does man have the ability to say yes or no

  • Ricky Grimsley
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Ricky Grimsley

    You cant answer if the question isnt asked?

  • Charles Page
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Charles Page

    If you hold to the orthodox doctrine of original sin you understand monergistic regeneration

    If you reject OS then you are either Pelagianism or semi-pelagianism

  • Varnel Watson
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Varnel Watson

    If Pentecostal / Charismatic theology rejects OSAS how can it advocate for once delivered always delivered (ODAD) i.e. eternal entire sanctification?

  • Ricky Grimsley
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Ricky Grimsley

    Osas is ridiculous. Saving a soul from death kinda jumps out at me?James 5:19-20 KJVS
    [19] Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; [20] Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

  • Varnel Watson
    Reply November 10, 2016

    Varnel Watson

    If you were right Ricky Grimsley a born again Christian can very well have a demon b/c neither eternal security nor entire sanctification guarantees anything ???

  • Reply October 20, 2019

    Varnel Watson

    ask a gnostic like RichardAnna Boyce

  • Mike Partyka
    Reply October 21, 2019

    Mike Partyka

    Can be used but there are others that Calvinist use more often.

    • Reply October 22, 2019

      Varnel Watson

      in what way?

    • Mike Partyka
      Reply October 22, 2019

      Mike Partyka

      Troy Day they would position it as not every person has the right to be a child of God or heir of His promises simply by being born. Only those who are born anew spiritually and trust in Christ will have that right. To become children of God we must be born again John 3 1:14. To be born again is an act of grace alone and only God can bring us to new spiritual life

    • Reply October 23, 2019

      Varnel Watson

      Mike Partyka But this is not really monergism is it? Sounds like a mix up with synergism if you ask me

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