Ben Chomp
Puritan Board Freshman
It's been interesting for me to reflect on the idea that God's decree is eternal. Here are a few Scriptures, confessional statements, and Berkhof to this end:
Ephesians 1:4 - ...he chose us in him before the foundation of the world...
2 Timothy 1:9-10 - ...who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested...
Canons of Dort, Head I, Article VI
"That some receive the gift of faith from god and others do not receive it proceeds from God's eternal decree, for "known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world" (Acts 15:18)..."
Article VII
"Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, He hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of His own will, chosen, from the whole human race...a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ..."
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 7: 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.
Berkhof
"[The decree of God] was formed in the depths of eternity, and is therefore eternal in the strictest sense of the word (Ephesians 3:11)."
My Questions
We are creatures of God. All of God's creation is a creature of God. Creation is not eternal. But God's plan for creation is eternal? Does this mean that God's decree is not a creature of God? What is the relationship between God and his decree? If his decree is eternal, it could not ever have been formed, but has always existed in the mind of God. If this is the case, does this mean that God's plan for you and me has always been in his mind and was never formed in God's mind?
I appreciate any insight!
Ephesians 1:4 - ...he chose us in him before the foundation of the world...
2 Timothy 1:9-10 - ...who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested...
Canons of Dort, Head I, Article VI
"That some receive the gift of faith from god and others do not receive it proceeds from God's eternal decree, for "known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world" (Acts 15:18)..."
Article VII
"Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, He hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of His own will, chosen, from the whole human race...a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ..."
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 7: 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.
Berkhof
"[The decree of God] was formed in the depths of eternity, and is therefore eternal in the strictest sense of the word (Ephesians 3:11)."
My Questions
We are creatures of God. All of God's creation is a creature of God. Creation is not eternal. But God's plan for creation is eternal? Does this mean that God's decree is not a creature of God? What is the relationship between God and his decree? If his decree is eternal, it could not ever have been formed, but has always existed in the mind of God. If this is the case, does this mean that God's plan for you and me has always been in his mind and was never formed in God's mind?
I appreciate any insight!