Of God's Eternal Decree - Chapter Three
Understanding the Westminster Confession of Faith
Of God’s Eternal Decree
Of God’s Eternal Decree
Chapter Three of the WCF deals with what is called the “Eternal Decree” of God. It calls this doctrine the “high mystery of predestination” and urges us to handle it with special prudence and care.
The Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines “predestination” as a word used only with reference to God’s plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered “predestinate” is found only in six passages, (Acts 4:28; Rom 8:29 and 30; 1 Cor 2:7; Eph 1: 5, 11); and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or purpose of God governs all events.
This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the “secret things” of God. Therefore, taking the revealed word of God as our guide, we must accept this doctrine with all its mysteriousness, and humbly and devoutly acknowledge that whatever has been ordained and ordered by God, even if we don’t understand some things, are ordained and ordered because it is “good in His sight”.
A. A. Hodge in his Outlines of Theology, first published in 1860, has one of the simplest and clearest teachings on how this doctrine can best be humbly accepted. He taught that when rightly understood, this doctrine…
• Exalts the majesty and absolute sovereignty of God, while it illustrates the riches of his free grace and his just displeasure with sin.
• It enforces upon us the essential truth that salvation is entirely of grace. That no one can either complain if passed over, or boast himself if saved.
• It brings the inquirer to absolute self-despair and the cordial embrace of the free offer of Christ; and,
• In the case of the believer who has the witness in himself, this doctrine at once deepens his humility and elevates his confidence to the full assurance of hope.
Hence, men everywhere are called to submit to the will of God as revealed in His Word and to yield their obedience to it. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
The WCF says the eternal decree of God is a matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel. Amen.
The Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines “predestination” as a word used only with reference to God’s plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered “predestinate” is found only in six passages, (Acts 4:28; Rom 8:29 and 30; 1 Cor 2:7; Eph 1: 5, 11); and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or purpose of God governs all events.
This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the “secret things” of God. Therefore, taking the revealed word of God as our guide, we must accept this doctrine with all its mysteriousness, and humbly and devoutly acknowledge that whatever has been ordained and ordered by God, even if we don’t understand some things, are ordained and ordered because it is “good in His sight”.
A. A. Hodge in his Outlines of Theology, first published in 1860, has one of the simplest and clearest teachings on how this doctrine can best be humbly accepted. He taught that when rightly understood, this doctrine…
• Exalts the majesty and absolute sovereignty of God, while it illustrates the riches of his free grace and his just displeasure with sin.
• It enforces upon us the essential truth that salvation is entirely of grace. That no one can either complain if passed over, or boast himself if saved.
• It brings the inquirer to absolute self-despair and the cordial embrace of the free offer of Christ; and,
• In the case of the believer who has the witness in himself, this doctrine at once deepens his humility and elevates his confidence to the full assurance of hope.
Hence, men everywhere are called to submit to the will of God as revealed in His Word and to yield their obedience to it. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
The WCF says the eternal decree of God is a matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel. Amen.
Rev Robert Chew
Labels: Articles
posted by Moriah Bible-Presbyterian Church @ 12:25
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