Sarah Mitchell
The concept of God's eternal decree is a highly debated topic in Christian theology, with various schools of thought offering different interpretations. Reformed theology, rooted in the teachings of John Calvin, emphasizes God's sovereignty and predestination, believing that God actively controls all that occurs in His creation. This includes the decree of election, implying that God has chosen certain individuals for salvation, and the decree of reprobation, which suggests that God has determined to exclude others from grace. While Reformed theology stands out for its emphasis on these decrees, the Catholic Church has historically allowed latitude in the interpretation of predestination. During the Reformation, two distinct views emerged: Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism, which differ in their understanding of the logical order of God's decrees in relation to the fall of man.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Emphasis on the doctrine of decrees | Reformed theology emphasizes the doctrine of decrees, standing alone in this emphasis. |
| Sovereignty of God | God is sovereign and has determined all that will come to pass, working his will in creation and redemption. |
| Active control by God | God actively controls all that occurs in His creation, including good and evil, and human choices. |
| Predestination | God has eternally purposed to save some and not others, with the doctrine of predestination emerging in two forms after the Reformation. |
| Reprobation | God has decreed to refrain from extending saving grace to certain individuals, instead judging them by divine justice. |
| Augustinian/Reformed tradition | The doctrine of reprobation is associated with the Augustinian/Reformed tradition, with debates over theological nuances. |
| Basis of reprobation | God's decision to reprobate is based on His will and pleasure, rather than foreseen works or human merits. |
| Sin and reprobation | God is not the author of sin, but the Reformed view suggests He decreed sin's entry into the world. |
| Comfort in doctrine | The doctrine provides comfort, assuring believers of God's unchanging eternal purpose and the fulfillment of His promises. |
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What You'll Learn
God's sovereignty
The biblical doctrine of God's sovereignty, as understood by the Reformers, is reflected in Ephesians 1:11, which states that God "worketh all things after the counsel of His will." This implies that God's sovereignty is governed by His eternal wisdom and plan for creation, rather than being exercised haphazardly.
Calvin's interpretation of God's sovereignty extends beyond mere creation to include absolute control over everything that happens in the universe, from the smallest to the greatest. This belief is evident in his comment that God's reign is one by which He "holds the helms and overrules all events."
However, the doctrine of God's sovereignty, particularly in the context of Reformed theology, has faced objections and criticisms. Some argue that it deprives mankind of essential freedom, as it implies that God knows all events in advance, leaving no room for human choice or unpredictability. This belief in predestination, a key aspect of Reformed theology, asserts that God has sovereignly chosen some people for salvation while excluding others, as seen in the Calvinist interpretation of Romans 9.
Despite these objections, proponents of Reformed theology emphasize that God's sovereignty does not make Him the author of sin or violence. Instead, they argue that God's control is exercised in a way that establishes the liberty of creatures and the contingency of second causes, as stated in the Westminster Confession of Faith.
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Predestination
The doctrine of predestination holds that God actively controls all that occurs in His creation. Predestination is a concept that has been discussed by theologians in both the Catholic Church and the Reformed tradition.
In the Reformed tradition, predestination is a key doctrine that is derived from the Old Testament concept of Israel as God's chosen people. The apostle Paul is interpreted as employing the term "predestination" and its near equivalent "election" in his epistles. Reformed theology stresses God's sovereignty, which means that God has sovereignly determined from all eternity whatsoever will come to pass and works His sovereign will in His entire creation, both natural and spiritual, according to His pre-determined plan. This is often referred to as the doctrine of divine decrees. John Calvin, a prominent figure in the Reformed tradition, elaborated on the doctrine of double predestination, which states that God has eternally decreed the salvation of some and the damnation of others. Calvin's doctrine of double predestination was not universally accepted among Reformed theologians, with some finding it objectionable.
In the Catholic Church, the doctrine of predestination is allowed to be held as long as it does not espouse the doctrine of double predestination. Catholic advocates of unconditional reprobation impose restrictions on their hypothesis to avoid the charge of heresy. They argue that the punishment of hell can only be inflicted because of sin and that sin is not to be regarded as the sheer effect of the absolute divine will but only as the result of God's permission. The Catholic Church also teaches that God wills to manifest His goodness in men, either by sparing them through His mercy or by reprobating them. The majority of Catholics are expected to be saved, and God alone knows who is among the predestined.
While predestination is a concept discussed in both traditions, it is important to note that the specific interpretations and implications of this doctrine differ between the two.
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Augustinianism vs. Semi-Pelagianism
Augustinianism and Semi-Pelagianism are two of the four major viewpoints in Christian theological debates surrounding the nature of salvation. The other two are Pelagianism and Arminianism.
Pelagianism is a Christian theological position that holds that humans, by divine grace, have free will to achieve human perfection. Pelagius, a British-born monk who taught in Rome from about AD 380 to 410, taught that God could not command believers to do the impossible, and therefore it must be possible to satisfy all divine commandments. He also taught that it was unjust to punish one person for the sins of another, and that infants are born blameless. Pelagianism brought into question Christianity's core doctrine of Jesus' act of substitutionary atonement to expiate the sins of mankind, and thus became associated with nontrinitarian interpretations of Christianity.
Augustine, on the other hand, taught that people cannot come to God without the grace of God. He argued that no suffering was truly undeserved, and that grace was equally undeserved but bestowed by God's benevolence. Augustine's solution, while faithful to orthodox Christology, worsened the problem of evil, as according to Augustinian interpretations, God punishes sinners who by their very nature are unable not to sin. Augustinianism, also known as Calvinism, emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation due to the total depravity of human nature. Augustinians believe that human beings are incapable of saving themselves, and that salvation is a work of God's grace from beginning to end.
Semi-Pelagianism emerged as a response to Pelagianism and is considered a compromise between Pelagianism and Augustinianism, trying to avoid the extremes of both. It recognizes that human beings need grace to achieve salvation but asserts that people have the ability to make the first move towards God without grace. Semi-Pelagianism sees God's grace as something that helps and cooperates with human effort in salvation. In Semi-Pelagian thought, a distinction is made between the beginning of faith and the increase of faith. The former is an act of free will, while the latter – growing in faith – is the work of God.
The term "Semi-Pelagianism" is considered a misnomer by many modern scholars and has frequently been used in a pejorative sense. The Council of Orange in 529 condemned Semi-Pelagianism as heresy, affirming the Augustinian view that human beings are born with a sinful nature that completely disables their ability to respond to God's grace without His prior action. However, the ideas of Semi-Pelagianism continue to influence some Christian traditions, especially those that emphasize free will and human responsibility in the salvation process.
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Election and reprobation
The concepts of election and reprobation are central to the discussion of divine sovereignty and predestination in Reformed theology. Election refers to God's sovereign choice to save certain individuals, not based on any merit or foreseen virtue but solely according to His good pleasure and grace. Reprobation, on the other hand, is God's decision to pass over others, resulting in their damnation. While these concepts are distinct, they are often considered two aspects of predestination, with election applying to believers and reprobation to unbelievers.
Reformed theology, as espoused by John Calvin, emphasizes God's sovereignty in determining the course of all creation, both natural and spiritual. This sovereignty extends to election and reprobation, with God actively controlling all that occurs, including the salvation of some and the passing over of others. Calvin's doctrine of predestination, including election and reprobation, is derived from his interpretation of Scripture, particularly passages in Romans 9 and Ephesians 1. He asserts that God's election is not based on human worth or merit but is a manifestation of God's freely given mercy and grace.
The doctrine of reprobation, however, has been more contentious. Critics argue that it portrays God as unjust or even cruel, making humans mere puppets. Some theologians, like Barth, view reprobation as dependent on man's rejection of God's revelation, while others, like Brunner, reject the doctrine altogether, cautioning against relying solely on human logic. Nevertheless, Reformed theologians defend reprobation, arguing that it magnifies God's justice and grace. They emphasize that God's highest value is His own glory, which is furthered by the salvation of some and the reprobation of others.
While the specifics of election and reprobation may vary within the Augustinian/Reformed tradition, there is consensus that God predestines certain individuals to be punished for their sins. This punishment is not based on foreseen sin but on God's sovereign will and purpose. The doctrine of reprobation is supported by biblical passages such as Romans 9, where Paul addresses matters of eternity and God's discrimination between the children of promise and physical descendants of Abraham.
In summary, election and reprobation are fundamental concepts in Reformed theology, reflecting God's sovereign choice to save some and pass over others. These doctrines have been the subject of debate and interpretation, with theologians like Calvin providing a robust defense of their biblical foundation and theological coherence.
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The Fall of Man
The serpent, however, tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, which she shares with Adam. As a result, they become ashamed of their nakedness, and God expels them from the Garden of Eden. God condemns Adam to work for his livelihood and Eve to give birth in pain. This event is known as The Fall, marking the introduction of sin into the world and corrupting the entire natural world, including human nature.
In Nicene Christianity, the doctrine of the Fall is closely associated with the concept of original sin or ancestral sin. According to this belief, all humans are born into original sin due to the Fall, and they cannot attain eternal life without God's grace. Reformed Protestants believe that Jesus sacrificed himself for the elect so that they may be redeemed from their sins. This belief system is known as Lapsarianism, which attempts to understand the logical order of God's decrees concerning the Fall.
The concept of The Fall is not unique to Christianity, and interpretations vary across different religions and sects. For instance, Gnostic Christians view the serpent in the Garden of Eden as a liberating savior who bestows knowledge upon humanity, freeing them from the control of the Demiurge or the Hebrew God of the Old Testament, whom they consider evil and false. Muslim scholars also offer differing perspectives on Adam's fall, with some arguing that Adam sinned out of free will, while others believe God predestined Adam's actions as part of His plan for humanity.
The understanding of The Fall has been a subject of debate in modern times, with some "educated" individuals in fields like education, psychology, and the social sciences denying the concept of the fallen nature of man. They attribute humankind's struggles to genetic accidents and material inequalities rather than a fall from grace. However, proponents of the doctrine argue that denying The Fall is a folly, and the answer to our fallen nature lies in acknowledging the truth, living in reality, and cooperating with divine grace to restore our relationship with God.
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Frequently asked questions
The eternal decree is God's plan or purpose that has existed in His mind from eternity past.
Reformed theology, also known as Augustinianism, emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the doctrine of predestination. It teaches that God actively controls all that occurs in His creation and that all things occur because He wills them to occur.
The Bible offers important qualifications regarding God's sovereignty over sin, human choices, and other topics. Ephesians 1:11 and many other biblical texts support the view that God actively exercises His reign and works out His purposes in "all things".
During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church allowed latitude in the doctrine of predestination. Teachers could follow Thomas Aquinas' Augustinianism or Molina's Semi-Pelagianism as long as they maintained that God willed the salvation of all men.
The eternal decree is related to God's doctrine of salvation and damnation. God has eternally decreed to save some sinners through election and condemn others through reprobation, or the withholding of grace.
