Required reading
Dogmatic Theology Vol 3 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or here) - Continue 'Soteriology' by reading up to the paragraph commencing: 'Vol. II., p.550. Concerning the reward promised to works in the instance of the believer..'
My summary
This week we continue reading Shedd's notes on soteriology.
We learn about:
(i) the distinction between common and effectual calling;
(ii) the different uses of regeneration for Augustine;
(iii) the agency of man and God in regeneration and sanctification;
(iv) infant baptism;
(v) the place of faith in regeneration
What grabbed me
I really enjoyed the analysis of Augustine's use of the term regeneration: 'By the “regenerate” who are not elected and do not persevere, Augustine means those adults who have been baptized and are members of the visible church, but not of the invisible. In his day baptism was denominated “regeneration.” By the “regenerate” who are elected and persevere he means those adults who are members of the invisible church as well as the visible. Employing the term in this double sense, Augustine, unlike Calvin and the Reformed creeds, holds to a genuine “regeneration” that springs from election and predestination and to a spurious “regeneration” that does not. The omission to notice the two uses of the word has led to the assertion by most Roman Catholic and some Protestant writers that Augustine’s doctrine of election and predestination differs from that of Calvin. Both alike affirm that the truly regenerate are predestinated to perseverance and never fall away.'
A very important point to note. Augustine is on the Reformed side.
Next week's reading
Conclude 'Soteriology'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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