The sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in spiritual renewal: divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the formation of the new man in Christ

Abstract

This is designed to be a thesis on divine sovereignty and human responsibility in spiritual renewal with an eye to the implications of these teachings for the practical life of the church and the ministry of the word of God by pastors. Thus the work begins with explanation of the concept of open-minded humility which includes discussion of a philosophy of logic, presuppositions and paradox as these relate to the ministry of the word of God in the life of the church. A primary goal is to discern the truth of the paradox of divine sovereignty and human responsibility precisely in connection with the work of the Spirit in renewal of the people of God. In this light, the introduction focuses on the responsibility that the members of Christ's church have to confront difficult teachings, even paradoxical ones, in the spirit of openness in order to live under the authority of the triune God (Matt 28: 19-20). The thesis argues for a dynamic of spiritual renewal that is grounded exclusively in sola scnptura and sola gratia as defined in historic reformed faith. It therefore contends that the doctrine of free will is false because it is based, among other things, on the false premise that says, "responsibility implies ability" for unredeemed fallen sinners. Therefore, this thesis defends the doctrine of total depravity making the point that being unable to believe does not remove responsibility but being effectually enabled by the renewing work of the Holy Spirit causes God's elect to fulfill the responsibility of embracing Jesus Christ freely offered in the gospel. This definitive break with bondage to sin opens the door to progressive renewal. This thesis argues that progressive renewal is likewise a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit that inworks obedience in the lives of the people of God through divinely appointed means. It is further argued that these means are "ordinary" because the extraordinary gifts of apostle, prophet, and tongue-speaker had the function of giving the church her revelatory foundation; once that foundation was given, orally first and then preserved in written form, these "extraordinary" gifts ceased to function. Cessationism is also argued on the basis of the sufficiency of the biblical canon according to the promise of Christ. The conclusion stresses the claim that renewal comes by the efficacious grace of the sovereign Holy Spirit that frees slaves to sin for a new life of righteousness. The Spirit then prompts those freed from sin to responsible use of the divinely appointed means of grace as they seek enlightenment. Believers are to walk in the Spirit by Scripture alone as they are led by the Spirit, not where they would go but where He would have them go. Illumined by the Spirit, they are given a taste of the excellency of Christ and the loveliness of the gospel. Both by the efficacious working of the Spirit and by fellowship with the Spirit in the knowledge of Scripture, they are formed into the new man in Christ to the glory of God.