Just as Satan wants, no doubt. He doesn't want people to accept Scripture as true and Truth, and to have people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and experiencing the new birth.
You want to call being *born again* "vapid nonsense"? Take it up with Jesus.
That may be in agreement with Catholic thinking and teaching but it is at odds with God.
Jesus speaking here.
John 3:1-8 And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him. Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith to him: How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born again? Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be born again. The Spirit breatheth where he will; and thou hearest his voice, but thou knowest not whence he cometh, and whither he goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
>> “Today no reputable theology department of any university dares instruct on such vapid nonsense as literalism or born-again stuff.” <<
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Theology is for those that reject the word of God.
The word is for his elect.
Yeshua appointed disciples and apostles, but not so much as one theologian; ever wonder why?
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And their very first so-called "pope" who said:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (I Peter 1:3)
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (I Peter 1:23)