The subjective change wrought in the soul by the grace of God, is
variously designated in Scripture. It is called a new birth, a
resurrection, a new life, a new creature, a renewing of the mind, a
dying to sin and living to righteousness, a translation from darkness
to light, etc. In theological language, it is called regeneration,
renovation, conversion. These terms are often used interchangeably.
They are also used sometimes for the whole process of spiritual
renovation or restoration of the image of God, and sometimes for a
particular stage of that process. Thus Calvin gives the term its widest
scope: "Uno verbo poenitentiam interpretor regenerationem, cujus non
alius est scopus nisi ut imago Dei, qu per Ad transgressionem foedata
et tantum non obliterata fuerat, in nobis reformetur. . . . Atque hc
quidem instauratio non uno momento, vel die, vel anno impletur, sed per
continuos, imo etiam lentos interdum profectus abolet Deus in electis
suis carnis corruptelas."
