Monergism and Synergism

[jdlongmire]

These are the 2 classic doctrinal positions that have been acknowledged throughout Christian history. There is no 3rd path for a Christian.

In its simplest form monergism states that the salvation of an individual is all from God, as opposed to synergism, which, in its simplest form, insists that God performs most of the action(s) leading to the salvation of an individual but that salvation is not complete until the individual performs some action(s). According to monergism, a sinner is given pardon for sin by the death of Jesus, acceptance with God by the imputed righteousness of Jesus, and faith in Jesus by the Holy Spirit. It is the third of these points that most distinguishes monergism from synergism.

Which are you? Do you know? Why?

Let's discuss!

BTW - the poll is public - just to get a feel for the players!

 

[Palatka51]

It is by Christ alone upon the belief of the repentant sinner. :godisgood:

 

[Jon-Marc]

All that I am or ever will be comes from God through His Son. My salvation comes totally by the grace of God through faith in the finished work of Jesus the Christ upon the cross. All of my righteousness comes from Christ, for there is none in me. I am wholly and totally dependent on God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and would be totally and forever lost in my sins without this wonderful and awesome Three in One God!

 

[Grasshopper]

This is basically a "are you a Calvinist or a non-Calvisnist" question.

Here are some helpful definitions:

Monergism: In regeneration, the Holy Spirit unites us to Christ independent of any cooperation from our unregenerated human nature. He quickens us through the outward call cast forth by the preaching of His Word, disarms our innate hostility, removes our blindness, illumines our mind, creates understanding, turns our heart of stone to a heart of flesh -- giving rise to a delight in His Word -- all that we might, with our renewed affections, willingly & gladly embrace Christ.

"In theology, the doctrine that the Holy Spirit is the only efficient agent in regeneration - that the human will possesses no inclination to holiness until regenerated, and therefore cannot cooperate in regeneration."

http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/monergism_grid.html

 

[Grasshopper]

It is by Christ alone upon the belief of the repentant sinner. :godisgood:

Is "belief" a work of man or a gift from God? http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/sproul01.html

 

[Cutter]

Is whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord, a work of synergism or monergism?

 

[Grasshopper]

Is whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord, a work of synergism or monergism?

"This concept of cooperation is at best a half-truth. Yes, the faith we exercise is our faith. God does not do the believing for us. When I respond to Christ, it is my response, my faith, my trust that is being exercised. The issue, however, goes deeper. The question still remains: "Do I cooperate with God's grace before I am born again, or does the cooperation occur after?""
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/sproul01.html

 

[skypair]

Monergism: In regeneration, the Holy Spirit unites us to Christ independent of any cooperation from our unregenerated human nature.

Basically, if we are "united to Christ," we are saved first and we hear and believe later. Surely that is NOT what you believe???

He quickens us through the outward call cast forth by the preaching of His Word, disarms our innate hostility, removes our blindness, illumines our mind, creates understanding, turns our heart of stone to a heart of flesh -- giving rise to a delight in His Word -- all that we might, with our renewed affections, willingly & gladly embrace Christ.

Isn't "outward call" known as "common grace," not "effectual grace?"

Can you please put an order to these terms: regeneration, common grace, effectual grace, "willingly & gladly embrace," salvation?

So far I'm getting the order here as regeneration (salvation) - common grace - effectual grace - "willingly embrace."

skypair

 

[Cutter]

"Do I cooperate with God's grace before I am born again, or does the cooperation occur after?""

I don't know about others, but God did not save me the first time I asked. I had to seek Him and reach a point of total surrender before I was saved and the Holy Spirit came into my heart and soul. I believe some have been misled by easy believerism. That is why the power is not present in the church as it once was, because of fleshly Christians. Also I believe that is why it is possible for some to confess to Christ, Have we not done many mighty works in Thy Name, and He will say depart from me I never knew you. Deception within one's heart concerning whether or not they have truly been born again is going to send alot of lukewarm Christians to hell.
That's why I said in another thread a couple of weeks ago it is possible to know beyond a shadow of a doubt you are saved. If there is any doubt, seek the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind, and spirit, and receive the blessed assurance of His salvation.
2 Peter 1: 1-10

 

[Rippon]

Basically, if we are "united to Christ," we are saved first and we hear and believe later. Surely that is NOT what you believe???

Isn't "outward call" known as "common grace," not "effectual grace?"

Can you please put an order to these terms: regeneration, common grace, effectual grace, "willingly & gladly embrace," salvation?

So far I'm getting the order here as regeneration (salvation) - common grace - effectual grace - "willingly embrace."

skypair

So-called "common-grace" has nothing to do with salvation.It's unfortunate that such a form of words ever was coined -- it leads to a lot of confusion.there is no saving grace in "common-grace".However, this is just a rabbit trail. Let's get back to the OP.

 

[Allan]

These are the 2 classic doctrinal positions that have been acknowledged throughout Christian history. There is no 3rd path for a Christian.


Which are you? Do you know? Why?

Let's discuss!

BTW - the poll is public - just to get a feel for the players!

First let me state that No Calvinist is Monergist based upon the defintion you give from wiki.

You (as a Calvinst) believes that man does in fact have something to do in order to be saved, and though God did all leading up to it, their "salvation is not complete until the individual performs some action"
That "action" is to believe. Man can not and is not going to be saved by God until that man believes. Therefore based upon that definition no Calvinist is a True Monergist.

Again please remember that the term synergism was created by those of Calvinism to try to portray anothers view and that it was created in line with that of the Pelagian and semi-Pelagain view points. Not with the view of the Non-Cal. Therefore it does not pertain to us as a whole.



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Now in relation to Grasshopper's point (whether it is his or not it is the point I am speaking to) that regeneration is when "the Holy Spirit unites us to Christ ". This is some of the worst unbiblical non-sense used to establish a theological view. 'The moment' a person is united with Christ they saved. The moment they are sanctified, made a new creation, justified, and by all of that become His chrildren they are saved. These things are not done before one has faith but scripture bear out consistantly that these are done by faith!

One can not be 'united with Christ' if one is not justified nor sanctified, thus being a new creation for Christ is not one with sin but can only be one with that which is without sin. Therefore if a person is 'unitied with Christ' they are without sin, justified, sanctified, a most specifically - filled with the Holy Spirit for it is He who baptises you into Christ thus uniting you with Christ. We are only made alive 'in Christ' not before we are 'in Christ'.

It is 'by faith' we are justified (Rom 3:28)
It is 'by faith' we are sanctified (Acts 26:18,)
It is 'by faith' we are made righteous (Rom 3:22, Rom 4:5)
It is 'by faith' the propitiation (substituationary death) is applied to man (Rom 3:25)
It is 'by faith' we receive (obtain) the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal 3:14)
It is 'by faith' we are His Children (Gal 3:26)

 

[Allan]

By the way - There is a fouth position that you have not set down.

D. None of the above.

I am that one .. however I come closest to Monergism.
According to the definition of Monergism only Primitive Baptists are true Monergists.
They hold that those of Gods elect will be saved whether or not they place faith in Christ. God will save them irregardless of faith.

 

[Jarthur001]

Again please remember that the term synergism was created by those of Calvinism to try to portray anothers view and that it was created in line with that of the Pelagian and semi-Pelagain view points. Not with the view of the Non-Cal. Therefore it does not pertain to us as a whole.

Allan,

This is just not true. The word comes from the Bible (Greek sunergos) and is used many times.

Phm 1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

Did you act as a "helper" in your salvation? If you believe you did you are a synergist (helper)

Did God do all the work of salvation with no help from you? If you believe this you are an monergist

 

[Jarthur001]

By the way - There is a fouth position that you have not set down.

D. None of the above.

I am that one .. however I come closest to Monergism.
According to the definition of Monergism only Primitive Baptists are true Monergists.
They hold that those of Gods elect will be saved whether or not they place faith in Christ. God will save them irregardless of faith.

Again...there is none of the above.

This is just black or white

 

[Allan]

Again...there is none of the above.

This is just black or white

Only in your limited perception of things.

And yes, there is because the these are defined poorly.

 

[jdlongmire]

Only in your limited perception of things.

And yes, there is because the these are defined poorly.

Allan - I understand that you have probably been influenced by post-modern thinking - that is - that truth is what you decide it is - but I want you to understand - in this case there are only 2 possibilities - 1 or 0, black or white.

God alone or God + something.

I am glad to see that you have chosen monergism (even though you haven't on the poll). That just goes to show that the Spirit is leading you into all truth, even though you are fighting it...

 

[skypair]

By the way - There is a fouth position that you have not set down.

D. None of the above.

I am that one .. however I come closest to Monergism.
According to the definition of Monergism only Primitive Baptists are true Monergists.
They hold that those of Gods elect will be saved whether or not they place faith in Christ. God will save them irregardless of faith.

That would also appear to be the belief behind "infant baptism."

skypair

 

[Allan]

Allan - I understand that you have probably been influenced by post-modern thinking - that is - that truth is what you decide it is - but I want you to understand - in this case there are only 2 possibilities - 1 or 0, black or white.

Ya know, I can deal with calvinism and respect much of it and it's adherants but it's prideful, arrogance and purposeful slander of some of them that I have a very hard time dealing with in a Christian manner.

 

[Rippon]

Allan - I understand that you have probably been influenced by post-modern thinking - that is - that truth is what you decide it is - but I want you to understand - in this case there are only 2 possibilities - 1 or 0, black or white.

God alone or God + something.

I am glad to see that you have chosen monergism (even though you haven't on the poll). That just goes to show that the Spirit is leading you into all truth, even though you are fighting it...

Right on,right on, right on, JD2.

 

[Rippon]

Ya know, I can deal with calvinism it is pride, arrogance and purposeful slander that I have a hard time dealing with.

The subject matter is indeed a binary deal.