Regeneration Precedes Faith

[Alphadux]

Did Luther teach that regeneration precedes faith?

[Melancthon]

I think that it depends. In baptism we are regenerated and faith is planted in our hearts, but that is only if some one hears the word first since the Bible says that faith comes by hearing the word. But if the person was unable to hear the word (as in the case of an infant) then faith procedes regeneration in Baptism. The infant would both be regenerated and have faith as in which would come first I don't know, I guess it would happen at the same time.

If Luther taught this, I don't know.

[DaRev]

Regeneration in Baptism is received by faith. Faith is a gift of God. In Baptism, the word is combined with water. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ as St. Paul affirms.

[BachMania]

Did Luther teach that regeneration precedes faith?
I think I know where you are coming from in this question. In Reformed theology regeneration (being made spiritually alive) must precede faith because a spiritually dead person cannot believe (contra the Arminians).

In Lutheran theology conversion, regeneration, new birth, second birth, awakening, illumination, call and repentance are pretty much Synonymous.

Here is a definition of conversion (synonym for regeneration) from the Lutheran Christian Cyclopedia,

The word “conversion” (Gk. (http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/abbrev.asp?abbrev=ABBR.GK) epistrophe) is taken from Scripture (Ps 51:13; Is 60:5; Acts 3:19; Ja 5:19–20); tr. (http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/abbrev.asp?abbrev=ABBR.TR) “turn” (Acts 9:35; 11:21; 14:15; 26:18; 2 Co 3:16), “return” (1 Ptr 2:25)... Various synonyms are used in Scripture (e.g. (http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/abbrev.asp?abbrev=ABBR.EG), regeneration, new birth, second birth, awakening, illumination, call, repentance), all denoting the act of divine grace by which the sinner is delivered from the power of darkness and tr. (http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/abbrev.asp?abbrev=ABBR.TR) into the kingdom of Christ. (Cl 1:13)

The word “conversion” is used in Scripture in a wider and a narrower sense. In the wider sense it designates the entire process whereby man is transferred from his carnal state into a spiritual state of faith* (http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=f&word=FAITH) and grace* (http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=g&word=GRACE) and then enters, and under the continued influence of the Holy Spirit continues in, a state of faith and spiritual life. 3. Conversion in the narrower sense is essentially the bestowal of faith (donatio fidei) in God's promise of salvation for Christ's sake. It takes place in the heart and consists in this, that a heart, broken and contrite because of sin, comes to faith in Christ and trusts in Christ for grace and forgiveness (Acts 11:21). It takes place when the Holy Spirit engenders faith in the hearts of penitents through the Word of God (Law and Gospel) and the Sacraments. (Is 55:10–11; Jn 1:45–50; 6:63; Acts 8:34–38; 16:13–34; Ro 1:16; 10:17)


So as you can see, regeneration in the narrow sence in Lutheran theology is the bestowal of faith. They are not two seperate things. This faith is the fruit of the Holy Spirit working through the Gospel.


For the whole article see

http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/cyclopedia/02/display.asp?t1=c&word=CONVERSION