The NRBC School of Theology: Systematic Theology Course 2

19. OF GOD'S DECREE 3:1:
The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

This course is based on the text, 'The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith,' with notes by Kevin Matthews. Please feel free to print these notes to allow you to study the text online/offline. This lesson may be used in other study situations if you like (eg. Groups, Bible Studies, etc).

1. God hath decreed in Himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass (a); yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein (b); nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established (c); in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree (d).

a. Is 46:10; Eph 1:11; Heb 6:17; Rom 9:15,18.
b. Jam 1:15,17; 1 Jn 1:5.
c. Acts 4:27,28; Jn 19:11.
d. Num 23:19; Eph 1:3-5.

In our previous study on God’s Decree, we acknowledged the Biblical teaching that the decree covers every area of life, being God’s comprehensive and universal plan for the world throughout all of history.

‘in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).’

If the Decree of God includes all things, an implication of this is that it also covers sin. Though the Decree of God renders sin certain, it does not make God the Author of sin, for sin comes about through the free agency of man.

19.1 Man’s Volition not Violated

‘Strictly speaking we may say that man has free will only in the sense that he is not under any outside compulsion which interferes with his freedom of choice or his just accountability. In his fallen state he only has what we may call "the freedom of slavery." He is in bondage to sin and spontaneously follows Satan. He does not have the ability or incentive to follow God. Now, we ask. is this a thing worthy the name "free"? and the answer is, No. Not free-will but self-will would more appropriately describe man’s condition since the fall. It is to be remembered that man was not created a captive to sin but that he has come into that condition by his own fault; and a loss which he has brought upon himself does not free him from responsibility. After man’s redemption is complete he will spontaneously follow God, as do the holy angels; but never will he become entirely his own master.’

L. Boettner

The Decree of God determines the acts of man, either immediately through the direct involvement of God, or through secondary causes (considered below) which are brought about by Him. Scripture does not however teach that God’s Decree eliminates man’s freedom of decision, for man chooses freely the way he will go even though it be in accordance with the Decree of God. Clearly man bears the responsibility of his choice, for it is his (Gen 50:19,20; Acts 2:23; 4:27,28). Man continues to have freedom of choice, with no action ever going against his will. In some way however, God brings about His plan without going against the free will of man, but through it and with it (Ps 110:3; Philip 2:13).

‘The comprehensive decree provides that each man shall be a free agent, possessing a certain character, surrounded by a certain environment, subject to certain external influences, internally moved by certain affections, desires, habits, etc., and that in view of all these he shall freely and rationally make a choice. That the choice will be one thing and not another, is certain; and God, who knows and controls the exact causes of each influence, knows what that choice will be, and in a real sense determines it.’

L. Boettner

The Decree of God may seem like a contradiction to man at this point, but yet this is clearly the teaching of Scripture (Is 10:5-15; Acts 2:23), and that of our experience. The decree does not state that God will bring everything to pass directly, only that everything is rendered certain according to His predetermined plan. The actions of man are the products of his own thinking and desires, etc. Man is in no way treated like a robot to fulfil the plan of God, he freely wants to do it as he does it, yet only according to God's Decree.

‘God so presents the outside inducements that man acts in accordance with his own nature, yet does exactly what God has planned for him to do.’

L Boettner

19.2 Secondary Causes

There are within the plan of God those areas that God effects by His own immediate agency, without the aid or input of his creation, such as creation and regeneration. Although God has planned all, there are other areas of the plan of God that God brings about by secondary causes, that is by the actions of his creation rather than He himself, though He has rendered them certain.

19.3 God’s Majesty Displayed

The plan of God appears from Scripture to have been the product of consideration and communication within the Godhead (Eph 1:11). As we have already discovered, God is Omniscient, meaning He knows everything, including all possible causes and results at any given moment. Out of this perfect knowledge, God within the Trinity formulated His eternal and unchangeable plan (Acts 15:18; Eph 1:4; 2 Tim 1:9), according to His perfect wisdom (Ps 33:11; 104:24; Prov 3:19; 19:21; Jer 10:12; 51:15;Eph 3:10,11). The reason why God knows all that will come to pass is because it is all determined according to His own decreed plan, by which all things regarding the future have been made certain.

The secret will of God can be in no way resisted, it most surely accomplishing all of its objectives, in every part of it (Ps 115:3; 135:6; Pr 19:21; Is 14:24-27; 46:10,11; Dan 4:34,35; Rom 9:19; Heb 6:17). Of course the nature of God needs to be remembered when the Decree of God is considered, for His nature is in no way hindered when it comes to the execution of His decree.

NOTE: If you wish to email me regarding your answers to this first lesson, please copy and paste them into an email (Attachments will not be opened). I will then get back to you as soon as I can (expect a delay due to various committments).

Links to Online Texts

• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith
• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

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