They were not talking about the written word...you guys are a bit dense, sorry...you are.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
I will speak directly regarding the Written Word, and the 'born again' claim was NOT the WORD Christ Himself used. It really is easy to find out what Christ told Nicodemus about the first requirement for any to 'see' the kingdom of God.
What does Paul mean when he writes about some who were predestined before the foundation of this age? (Ephesians 1:4, and Christ also refers to this time as well.)