How New England Theology
Relates to
the
Heresy of
Decisional Regeneration
|
The "New England Way" began with the New England Puritan view of Christian salvation as being a supernatural change of heart and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jonathan Edwards and his disciples Bellamy, Hopkins and Emmons adapted the New England salvation theology to include a distinction between the sinner's natural ability and moral inability to choose God over self. Supernatural regeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was still necessary for the change of disposition from the born again experience, but by arguing that humans have the natural capacity to believe, but lack the moral desire, New England theologians maintain that God remains fully sovereign in salvation while sinners remain completely responsible for their refusal to repent. |