The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q7-8) is The Decrees, or the Eternal Purpose of God. (see Harmony Index)
When I was young, my mother placed a decorative plaque in a prominent location in our kitchen. On the plaque, along with an image of a little flower, were the words, “Bloom Where You Are Planted.”
Now, every spring there is a particular flower in our backyard that comes out of its winter nap and offers up a beautiful bloom of color in the warm, renewing rays of the lingering sun. My mother gave me that plant in a pot many years ago. Eventually it found a place in my backyard. It dies off in the late summer, is forgotten, and then returns every year to surprise and delight the family. It continues to bloom where it was planted, bringing beauty to its place, joy to those around, and blessed memories of my mother.
Each spring when that little plant reappears, I think of my mother and her plaque, which very much typified her Christian witness to the apostle Paul’s statement that “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil. 4:11). It is a simple lesson, but not easily learned; still, it is an imperative if we are to truly “glorify God, and enjoy him forever.” The following catechism question provides a critical ingredient for blooming brightly in the soil of God’s providence. May the Lord bless his church and each individual in comprehension and obedience to this vital confessional truth.
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Westminster Shorter Catechism Q7
Illustration by John Whitecross – #1 – ‘Some preachers near Olney,’ says John Newton, ‘dwelt on the doctrine of predestination. An old woman said, “Ah, I have long settled that point; for if God had not chosen me before I was born, I am sure He would have seen nothing in me to have chosen me for afterwards!”‘
John Whitecross – 1828
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WSC Q7. What are the decrees of God?
Answer: The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass[a].
[a] Ps. 33:11; Is. 14:24; Acts 2:23; Eph. 1:11-12
Question #7 asks what are the decrees of God, and answers that the decrees of God are his eternal plan based on the purpose of his will, by which, for his own glory, he has foreordained everything that happens.
Comments and considerations:
The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. He has sworn, saying, “Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand.” (Ps. 33:11; Is. 14:24)
We are not particularly familiar or comfortable with “decrees.” As Americans, we view ourselves as free, self-governing people; we understand the “rule of law,” but the idea that those in power may make rules without our consent rubs us the wrong way. So the definition of a decree from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary — “In general, an order, edict or law made by a superior as a rule to govern inferiors”—may go unappreciated. On the other hand, the term also has its meaning tied to “judicial decisions, or determinations,” or a “an edict made by a council.” Webster adds to the list of definitions: “In theology, predetermined purpose of God; the purpose or determination of an immutable Being, whose plan of operations is, like himself, unchangeable.” (To this we might correctly add “…in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth,” from WSC Q4.)
Our unfamiliarity with the word “decree” has a lot to do with our history, our forefathers’ battles to overthrow absolute and abusive power. We distrust those who would rule rather than serve the people (Matt. 20:24-28). Yet the concept of “decree” has sovereign power at its very root. According to Webster, the verb form means “to fix or appoint; to set or constitute by edict or in purpose.” He adds a quotation from Job 22:28—“Thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall be established”—and concludes, “Let us not be solicitous to know what God has decreed concerning us.” Why? Well, because along with his other infinite, eternal, and immutable attributes, our God who decrees all things by his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will and for his own glory, is also all wise, holy, just, good, and true. By his power and authority alone, “he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.” To those who know his grace and infinite tender mercies, this is cause for humility, rejoicing, and glad submission.
Training Hearts and Teaching Minds Questions:
- Read Psalm 33:11. What happens to the plans we make? Why are they subject to change? Is God ever surprised by things that happen? If not, why?
- A wise man once said that the wisdom of the ages is found in discovering what God is doing and following his purposes. According to the Bible, for what purpose has God created all things? Read Hab. 2:14; Is. 40:5; Ps. 19:1; Is. 43:7; Ps. 96:3, 8.
- A decree is an order issued by a king that everyone in his kingdom must obey. Read Ps. 148:1-12; Ps. 2:6-8. What are two things that has God decreed?
- To what extent—how far and how many things—does God foreordain (decree), plan, and order in advance? Read Is. 45:6-7; Jer. 1:5; Acts 13: 48.
- Some people think that God, knowing all things, looks ahead into the future and makes his plans (decrees) around what he knows will happen. Is this what the Bible teaches? Read Is. 46:9-10 and Is. 55:10-11.
Harmony of the Standards: WSC Q# 7; WLC Q#’s 12 & 13; WCF III.I-VIII.
WSC Q7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass[a].
[a] Ps. 33:11; Isa. 14:24; Acts 2:23; Eph. 1:11-12
WLC Q12. What are the decrees of God?
A. God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will[a], whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time[b], especially concerning angels and men.
[a] Eph. 1:11; Rom. 11:33, 9:14-15, 28
[b] Eph. 1:4, 11; Rom. 9:22-23; Ps. 33:11
WLC Q13. What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
A. God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory[a]; and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof[b]; and also, according to his sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will, (whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favor as he pleaseth) hath passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice[c].
[a] I Tim. 5:21
[b] Eph. 1:4-6; II Thes. 2:13-14
[c] Rom. 9:17-18, 21-22; Matt. 11:25-26; II Tim. 2:20; Jude 4; I Pet. 2:8
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH
CHAPTER. III.
Of God’s Eternal Decree.
I. God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass[a]; yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin [b]; nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established[c].
[a] Ps. 33:11; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17; Acts 4:27; Matt. 10:29; Eph. 2:10
[b] Ps. 5:4; James 1:13-14; I John 1:5; Hab. 1:13
[c] Acts 2:23; Matt. 17:12; Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11; Prov. 16:33; Acts 27:23, 24, 34, 44
II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions[d]; yet hath he not decreed anything because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions[e].
[d] I Sam. 23:11-12; Matt. 11:21, 23
[e] Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18
III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life[f]; and others foreordained to everlasting death[g].
[f] I Tim. 5:21; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:29, 30; John 10:27-29
[g] Eph. 1:5-6; Rom. 9:22-23; Prov. 16:4; Jude 4; Matt. 25:41
IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished[h].
[h] John 13:18; II Tim. 2:19; John 10:14-16, 27, 28, 29; John 17:2, 6:37-39; Acts 13:48
V. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid[i], according to his eternal and immutable purpose[j], and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will[k], hath chosen, in Christ[l], unto everlasting glory[m], out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto [n]; and all to the praise of his glorious grace[o].
[i] Eph. 1:4
[j] Eph. 1:11
[k] Eph. 1:9
[l] I Tim. 1:9
[m] Rom. 8:30; I Pet. 5:10
[n] II Tim. 1:9; Eph. 1:6; Eph. 2:8,9
[o] Eph. 1:5, 6, 12
VI. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto[p]. Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ[q], are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season[r], are justified[s], adopted [t], sanctified [u], and kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation[v]. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only[w]
[p] I Pet. 1:2; Eph. 2:10; II Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4
[q] I Thess. 5:9-10; Titus 2:14; Rom. 9:11
[r] II Thess. 2:13, 14; Rom. 9:11; I Corh. 1:9
[s] Rom. 8:30
[t] Eph. 1:5;
[u] Eph. 1:4; I Thess. 4:3; II Thess. 2:13
[v] I Pet. 1:5; John 10:28
[w] John 17:9; John 6:64, 65; John 8:47; John 10:26; Acts 13:48; I John 2:19
VII. The rest of mankind God, was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or witholdeth mercy, as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by[x]; and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin[y], to the praise of his glorious justice[z].
[x] Matt. 11:25-26
[y] Rom. 2:8,9; II Thess. 2:10, 11, 12; Rom.9:14-22
[z] Rev. 15:3,4
VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care[aa], that men, attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election[bb]. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God[cc]; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel[dd].
[aa] Rom. 9:20; Rom. 11:33; Deut. 29:29
[bb] II Pet. 1:10; I Thess. 1:4-5
[cc] Eph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33
[dd] Rom. 11:5-6, 20; Rom. 8:33; Luke 10:20; II Pet. 1:10
Questions for further study:
There is certainly much to consider in the study of the decrees of God and all that He has foreordained. But in the end, what is of utmost importance in handling the high mystery of predestination? (1)
1- See and carefully consider WCF III.VIII
