Salvation in the Old Testament

[athanasius]

Dr. Miller,

As one who is Reformed, I have struggled with one issue in particular; the conversion of sinners in the Old Testament. Let me explain. I affirm the reality that because of our depravity, there is nothing in us that would ever desire God, for "there is none who seeks for God" (Romans 3:11). I believe that because of this, God could have established soteriology like the Arminians claim and that would be fine except no one would ever turn to God. Unless regeneration happens, the person will never seek for God.

Because of this belief, however, I have problem with one thing. Regeneration in the Old Testament (according to Covenant theologians) would seem to be indicated in passages within the prophets that say something like, "I will take out the heart of stone and put in a heart of flesh." The passages seem to indicate that this will be something new. Now I figure John MacArthur (a "leaky" dispensationalist) would say something to the nature of "this is referring to the future restoration of the nation of Israel as a whole when God will lift the hardening that has existed since Christ; the implementation of regenerating grace has always been in play since the first 'convert' " We affirm people in the Old Testament were saved by trusting in the coming Messiah, but trusting is enabled by regeneration.

I must say that to interpret those Old Testament passages like that seem to avoid the problem, but I know that those who lean to a Covenatal understanding of the Bible believe that those passages are referring to regeneration that occurs within those who will be saved. The passages seem to give the tone that this will be something new. If so, how is this regeneration different from the (apparent) regeneration before? If there is no difference, then wouldn't this seem to say that the interpretation of those like MacArthur is truer to the text and therefore it is a misunderstanding to imply that these text are referring to the regeneration that occurs within the New Testament Gentile church?

[Mike Miller]

I actually answered a similar question some time ago here: askmike.proboards.com/thread/17/old-testament-holy-spirit

With reference to Ezekiel 11:14-21; 36:22-38 (the heart of stone/flesh), let's first consider Ezekiel's context. Ezekiel's entire ministry was to the people of Judah living in Babylon. They were there because of their rampant idolatry, and they are told that when they are restored, God will give them, as Jeremiah 32:29 describes it, a "single heart," or an "undivided heart." In other words, when God brought them back to the land, they would no longer go after the false God's of the pagans. This actually happened. After the exile, we see no evidence of idolatry among the Jews.

However, as with much prophecy, there is also a messianic fulfillment in mind. In fact, the Jews did not exhibit the kind of lasting spiritual renewal envisioned by Ezekiel. However, we have some clues as to how this would come to pass as well. Ezekiel 11:17 & 36:24 both talk about gathering God's people from all the nations from which they have been scattered. This was begun on Pentecost, but even further fulfilled by the inclusion of the Gentiles into the true Israel. "But," some might ask, "isn't the gathering just about Jews of the diaspora?" Well, since not all ethnic Jews of the Diaspora returned to Israel, it must refer to the gathering of the true Israel from all the nations. Therefore, while regeneration has always been essential in conversion, Ezekiel and Jeremiah are talking about a day when the Holy Spirit will be active in the quickening of all the elect from all the nations.

Moreover, Ezekiel 37 is essentially an illustrative explanation of Ezekiel 36. The valley of dry bones demonstrates that without the Holy Spirit, we are all dead, that only the Holy Spirit can give life, and the the life-giving happens by means of the preaching of God's Word. On Pentecost, we saw the Holy Spirit come on power on the disciples who boldly proclaimed the Gospel to the diaspora Jews, then they went forth throughout the world declaring the Good News for the salvation of all of true Israel . . . and dead bones came to life!