Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

case of those who do not live under the administration of the covenant, there is no
reason to assume an interval between the time of their regeneration and that of their
effectual calling. In the effectual call they at once become conscious of their renewal,
and immediately find the seed of regeneration germinating into the new life. This
means that regeneration, effective calling, and conversion all coincide.
E. THE NECESSITY OF REGENERATION.
1. THIS NECESSITY IS DENIED BY MODERN LIBERAL THEOLOGY. The necessity of
regeneration, as this is understood by the Christian Church, is naturally denied in
modern liberal theology. It is not in accord with the teaching of Rousseau, that man is
by nature good. Any radical change or complete turnabout in the life of a man who is
essentially good, would be a change for the worse. Liberals speak of salvation by
character, and the only regeneration of which they know is a regeneration conceived as
“a vital step in the natural development of the spiritual life, a radical readjustment to
the moral processes of life.” (Youtz.) Many teach a series of ethical renewals. Emerton
says: “The character thus gained and proven and held fast is redemption. There is no
other worthy definition of the word. It is the redemption of man’s lower self by the
domination of his higher self. It is the spiritual redeeming the material, the divine that is
in every man redeeming the animal.” 53
2. IT FOLLOWS FROM WHAT SCRIPTURE TEACHES CONCERNING THE NATURAL CONDITION
OF MAN. Holiness or conformity to the divine law is the indispensable condition of
securing divine favor, attaining peace of conscience, and enjoying fellowship with God.
Heb. 12:14. Now the condition of man by nature is, according to Scripture, both in
disposition and act, exactly the opposite of that holiness which is so indispensable. Man
is described as dead through trespasses and sins, Eph. 2:1, and this condition calls for
nothing less than a restoration to life. A radical internal change is necessary, a change by
which the whole disposition of the soul is altered.
3. IT IS ALSO EXPRESSLY ASSERTED BY SCRIPTURE. Scripture does not leave us in doubt
about the necessity of regeneration, but asserts this in the clearest terms. Jesus says:
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of
God,” John 3:3. 54 This statement of the Saviour is absolute and leaves no room for
exceptions. The same truth is clearly brought out in some of the statements of Paul, as,
for instance, in I Cor. 2:14: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
53 Unitarian Thought, p. 193.
54 Cf. also the verses 5-7.
523