November 2007 - Protestant Reformed Churches in America

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal
Ordinarily there are certain previous and preparatory works, or workings
in and upon the souls of men, that are antecedent and dispositive
unto it [regeneration]. But yet regeneration doth not consist in them,
nor can it be educed out of them. 36
Owen explains that he means by this only a “material disposition”
and “not such [motions] as contain grace of the same nature
as regeneration itself,” employing the figure of wood: “Wood by
dryness and a due composure is made fit and ready to admit of
firing.” 37 In a similar way, then, the sinner’s heart is prepared
(dried out) so that the Spirit can ignite it in regeneration.
In an obvious reference to Owen, Abraham Kuyper takes issue
with this illustration:
Even the representation still maintained by some of our best theologians,
that preparatory grace is like the drying of wet wood, so that
the spark can more easily ignite it, we can not adopt … The disposition
of our souls is immaterial. Whatever it may be, omnipotent grace
can kindle it. 38
Owen clarifies what he means by this preparatory work. He
writes of certain things “required of us by way of duty in order
unto our regeneration.” 39 These are outward actions such as being
physically present where the gospel is preached, and diligently
concentrating on the word preached and receiving it as the truth
of God. 40 The sinner may, through a diligent attendance on the
means, be enlightened in some sense by the truth he hears, may be
affected emotionally or intellectually by it, may be convicted of
his sins, and may even undergo some reformation of character.
These, writes Owen, are “good, useful and material preparations
36. John Owen, Works, vol. 3 (Banner of Truth: Edinburgh, repr.
1966), p. 229.
37. Owen, Works, vol. 3, p. 229.
38. Abraham Kuyper, The Work of the Holy Spirit (Eerdmans: Grand
Rapids, MI, repr. 1973), p. 291.
39. Owen, Works, vol. 3, p. 229.
40. Owen, Works, vol. 3, p. 230.
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Vol. 41, No. 1