Recently, James White issued a challenge (link to challenge) to Dr. David L. Allen regarding Dr. Allen's interpretation of 1 John 5:1. Dr. Allen responded, putatively "accepting" the challenge (link to written response - link to video response). However, I have provided a detailed response explaining why the response does not address the challenge that was offered (part 1 - part 2 - and short summary).
According to Allen, the "semantic structure" of 1 John 5:1 indicates that the text means that faith produces regeneration. However, White's challenge was to apply the same methodology to parallel passages at 1 John 2:29 and 1 John 4:7. If one were to apply the same methodology, those passages would teach that doing righteousness produces regeneration and loving God produces regeneration, respectively. As those are absurd results, Allen's methodology must be wrong. However, even despite allegedly "accepting" Dr. White's challenge, Dr. Allen has not addressed how his methodology can be consistently applied to 1 John 2:29 and 1 John 4:7 without producing absurdity.
There is more, but that's the core of the issue.
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