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The Gospel and being born again: Lecture 6
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The Gospel and Being Born Again: Lecture 6. Moore Theological College. 1978. Retrieved from the Atla Digital Library, https://archives.moore.edu.au/documents/detail/179632.APA citation style
(1978). The Gospel and being born again: Lecture 6. Retrieved from the Atla Digital Library, https://archives.moore.edu.au/documents/detail/179632.Chicago citation style
The Gospel and Being Born Again: Lecture 6. Moore Theological College. 1978. Retrieved from the Atla Digital Library, https://archives.moore.edu.au/documents/detail/179632.Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.
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- TEPA Think In No. 2. Goldsworthy argues that understanding how Jesus fulfils the expectations of the greater work of regeneration promised in the Old Testament is central before approaching the New Testament texts. Throughout the messages of apostolic preaching presented in the book of Acts, there is a strong awareness and emphasis on the Old Testament promises and expectations being fulfilled in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20 likewise reflects this awareness in Paul’s writing. The common denominator in apostolic preaching is the great regeneration accomplished through Jesus. In the Old Testament, the restoration of Creation is picked up and developed in the New Testament, with Jesus presented as the ultimate expression and fulfilment of God’s new Creation and Regeneration in His person. The fundamental view of humanity, particularly its subjective perspective, has been corrupted as a result of the Fall. Human consciousness becomes self-oriented. For Paul, the core perspective and orientation is the believer’s identity in Christ. The emphasis is not on receiving a divine essence into the believer’s heart as the mark of conversion. The discussion then turns to the concept of "born again" language. All passages that use the term do so in an indicative rather than imperative sense. Christians must be careful not to turn indicative texts into imperative laws. The Bible views human life from a relational perspective. The death of Adam involved the distortion of relationships. Degeneration, therefore, is primarily relational rather than substantial. Accordingly, regeneration should also be viewed as relational rather than substantial. Goldsworthy believes that modern evangelicalism fails to properly appreciate regeneration as a relational process, often treating it as purely substantial. However, what truly authenticates faith is not subjective moral change, but the object of the believer’s faith: Jesus Christ. For many, moral transformation is used as the benchmark for true, authentic faith. But regeneration encompasses the whole being and the entirety of Creation; therefore, believers should likewise adopt a holistic view of regeneration.
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- In copyright - educational use permitted. This item may be used for the purposes of research and study. Please acknowledge that it is held by Moore Theological College