- The Jesus Syllogism: A Biblical Reflection on John 6 - J.W. Hendryx
Does Jesus himself teach monergistic regeneration? Answer: unequivocally.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe. ... And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." (John 6:63-65)
In John 6:65 Jesus says to the unbelieving Jews, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me [believe in Me] unless it is granted him by the Father." Jesus in saying, "This is why" is referring to the previous verse (v 64) which He says, "But there are some of you who do not believe." This clearly re-emphasizes that the context is faith in Him, or lack thereof. And the "but there are some of you..." refers to the preceding verse (v.63) which Jesus says, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all..." Note, Jesus does not say the flesh helps a little, but leaves no such room. Instead he says, the flesh is no help at all. No help for what we ask? No help for giving life. Only the Spirit quickens, Jesus says, and some do not believe, that is WHY no one can come to Me [believe in Me] unless God grants it. This connects God granting faith with the Spirit giving life or quickening. In other words, unless God grants us faith though the quickening work of the Spirit, no one will come to Christ. No one can believe in Christ unless the Spirit first gives life (regenerates, quickens).
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