R*o 发帖数: 3781 | 1 Nevertheless, viewing depravity as inability, which necessitates regeneratio
n before salvation, is the very foundation of Calvinism. Engelsma acknowledg
es, "Deny this doctrine and the whole of Calvinism is demolished." 11 To be
fair, we must, says Engelsma, "let Calvinism speak for itself." 12 That is e
xactly what I am trying to do.
Inasmuch as Total Depravity requires regeneration before faith or salvation,
the Calvinist assumes it could take place - and probably does - in infancy.
Thus Hoeksema reasons that "regeneration can take place in the smallest of
infants ... in the sphere of the covenant of God, He usually regenerates His
elect children from infancy." 13 One would therefore expect that the childr
en of Calvinists would behave in a sanctified way far different from other c
hildren, but that cannot be shown to be the case. |
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