[eklekton]

The Reformers distinguished between "noticia", "ascensus", and "fiducia". Noticia is understanding the facts of the Gospel. Ascensus is believing them to be true. Fiducia is believing them to be true for oneself and trusting in them. One may have experienced noticia and ascensus, but not fiducia, the necessary evidence for true faith. The first act of a regenerate heart is to respond in true faith. If fiducia is not present, no regeneration has occurred.

Since I'm new to these threads, I may be covering old ground. I apologize in advance if the above post is redundant.

[P-Marlowe]

Since I'm new to these threads, I may be covering old ground. I apologize in advance if the above post is redundant.

The religion forum is the Free Republic Department of Redundancy Department.

[thePilgrim]

Yes! Good stuff. You are also right when you point out that when talking about regeneration preceeding belief, we are not atomically talking about a temporal order, but a logical one. This, I believe, is the true sense of 1 John 5:1.

BTW, what do you think about the efforts on this thread to paint Calvin as a synergist?

In the service of the Lord,
Christian.