WCF. III. Of God's Eternal Decree - 3-5. Q & A

Blogging through and answering the questions from G. I. Williamson's The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes for personal review and comprehension.

Prior posts for WCF. I. Of the Holy Scriptures - Sections 1-10.

Prior posts for WCF. II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - Sections 1-3.

Prior post for III. Of God's Eternal Decree - 1-2.

WCF. III. Of God's Eternal Decree - 3-5.

1. Why is the doctrine of predestination so seldom acknowledged even though it is so clearly taught in Scripture?

The doctrine of predestination is so seldom acknowledged because of the perversity of man. Scripture clearly teaches this doctrine, but it is man who refuses to hear God's word by faith (and with humility). "And the chief cause of man's constant misreading of Scripture regarding this matter is his perennial desire to have a better opinion of himself than is warranted" (33).

2. What does sinful man deserve?

Sinful man deserves wrath and damnation.

3. What classic example in Scripture proves this doctrine [doctrine of predestination]?

The classic example is of Jacob and Esau - Romans 9:11-15 "For the children [Rebecca's children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

4. How much did they have "in common" to begin with? At the "end"?

According to their nature, they being twins, to begin they had everything in common. In the end, however, they were totally different - "Jacob was chosen to eternal life, and Esau was passed by and left to the punishment he deserved" (33).

5. How does this case prove that it was God (alone) who made them differ?

This case proves that it was God alone who made them differ because Romans 9:18 says, "He [God] hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth."

6. What Scripture asserts that God has "the right" to do this?

God is the Creator, thus, he has a right over his creation, as Romans 9:21 teaches - "Hath not the potter [God] power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?." Commenting on this Williamson says, "God has a right to give damnation to Esau, who deserves damnation, and eternal life to Jacob, who also deserves damnation" (33).

7. What is meant by saying that God's predestination is not "conditional"?

Williamson says, "But what is of cardinal importance is to recognize that God's sovereign determination of the destinies of the souls of men is not conditional. There is no difference between Jacob and Esau for the sake of which God chose the one and rejected the other" (33). God's predestination of man is wholly of grace. God's predestination of man is not conditioned by the works of man.

8. If man could fulfill some condition upon which basis God would then elect him, what teachings of Scripture would be denied?

If man could fulfill some condition upon which basis God would then elect him, it would deny what Scripture teaches in Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." - and in Romans 11:6 - "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

9. Why has God chosen the ones he has chosen?

God has chosen the ones he has chosen because of grace, that is, because of pure, unmerited favor. Ephesians 2:5-6 "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Williamson says, "Scripture informs us that divine election is conditioned upon not something in the creature but rather something in God. It is the good pleasure, the delight of God, which is the basis of Election" (34). See Luke 10:21 - "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight."

10. Why has God chosen some and passed others by?

Why did God do this? This God has done for his own glory. "God will bring glory to himself, or rather will manifest his glory. He will display the perfection of his holiness by wrath against sin in the destruction of the wicked and he will display the perfection of his mercy and love in saving the elect" (34). If what we stated earlier is true, that "Sinful man deserves wrath and damnation," then it is obvious that both the perfection of God's holy justice and the perfection of God's merciful grace manifest his glory.

Meditating on Scripture

Regarding the spiritual discipline of Bible intake and meditation, Donald S. Whitney quotes William Bridge: "Friends, there is an art, and a divine skill of meditation, which none can teach but God alone. Would you have it, go then to God, and beg of God these things" (Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 62).

WCF. III. Of God's Eternal Decree - 1-2. Q & A

Blogging through and answering the questions from G. I. Williamson's The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes for personal review and comprehension.

Prior posts for WCF. I. Of the Holy Scriptures - Sections 1-10.

Prior posts for WCF. II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - Sections 1-3.

WCF. III. Of God's Eternal Decree - 1-2.

1. What distinguishes a "person" from all other beings or things?

A person has a "will" and acts according to purpose, which distinguishes the person from other beings and impersonal things.

2. What kind of "plan" or "purpose" must of necessity belong to an "infinite, eternal, and unchangeable" personal being?

Such a "plan" or "purpose" must necessarily be infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, for it will have the attributes of the person whose "will" is at back the plan. "God is an infinite, eternal, and unchangeable Person. Therefore his plan or purpose must ever have been a part of his infinite, eternal, and unchangeable existence" (30).

3. Cite a Scripture text proving that all existence is controlled by God.

Ephesians 3:11 speaks of God's eternal purpose which He purposed - "According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." And Ephesians 1:11 speaks of God's controlling all things - "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."

4. Cite a Scripture text proving that the most minute details of existence are controlled by God.

Ephesians 1:11 speaks of God's controlling all things ("all" includes even the most minute details) - "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." Also, in Matthew 10:29, Christ says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."

5. Cite a text proving that seemingly accidental events are controlled by God.

The narrative in 1 Kings 22 records several seemingly accidental events which are controlled by God.

6. Cite a text proving that evil acts are predetermined by God.

In Matthew 18:7 Jesus says, "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" God has predetermined/predestined all events, even evil, but these acts are committed because men freely choose to do so.

7, Cite a text proving that evil acts are nevertheless "free."

Acts 2:22-23 teaches that God foreordained that Christ would be delivered for death by the rulers of Israel, but it being done on account of their wicked volition - "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain."

8.. Cite a text proving that "good" acts done by regenerate persons are predetermined by God, and yet also "free."

Because "will" flows from nature, the regenerate, who have been given a new nature through regeneration, are capable of freely doing "good" acts, this being taught in Matthew 7:17a - "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit."

9. What do we mean when we say that a man is "free," or acts "freely"?

Man is free if "not forced by any power outside himself to do that which is contrary to 'what he wants to do'" (31).

10. Why are the unregenerate, though free, certain to do only evil?

The unregenerate are free, they have liberty, but they do not have the ability to do good because of their evil nature (due to original sin). They do not have the ability to do good because will flows from nature. As Matthew 7:18 says, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

11. Why are the regenerate, though free, certain to please God?

They are certain to please God because they have a regenerate nature (which is a gift given to them by God), thus, they have a good will "which is in accord with the will of God" (31).

12. Can God foresee (or foreknow) before he predetermines? Vice versa? Why?. 

No and No. God's foreknowledge and predestination are not at odds with one another. As Williamson says, God foreknows things with certainty because God guarantees the certainty. God determines all that exists. This is the case because of the impossibility of the contrary, i.e., if it were not true then God would not be the only self-existent being.

Life and Doctrine

Ned Stonehouse quotes from one of Machen's letters, "[Christianity] was certainly not a way of life as distinguished from a doctrine, or a way of life expressing itself in a doctrine, but it was a way of life founded upon a doctrine. It was founded more especially upon a proclamation of something that happened. The primitive Church proclaimed the happening after the first great act in it had occurred; Jesus proclaimed it by way of prophecy, but the primitive Church and Jesus were alike in proclaiming an event," then providing this additional thought:- "He [Machen] had shown that the experience of men was not the foundational fact of the Christian gospel but what God had accomplished once for all in Christ, and that Christian experience is essentially the response which men through the Holy Spirit make to the proclamation of these glad tidings" (Ned B. Stonehouse, J. Gresham Machen - A Biographical Memoir, 349).

Theology and Controversy

I remember distinctly during undergraduate studies my Theology instructor telling our class, "Theology is controversial." There were two maxims our instructor had us repeat throughout the class, the former more frequently than the latter, and they were, "I am a theologian," and "Theology is controversial."

Theology is messy business. Case in point: recently Peter Leithart critiqued theological musings from David Bentley Hart's newest book. Leithart defends the literal sense of Scripture, contra Hart, and Leithart's comments are excellent, but, additionally, the article is a good reminder that, as my undergraduate professor said, "Theology is controversial." So, here we have two learned and well respected churchmen, but they just don't see eye to eye. Thus, controversy. 

Prayer and Work

"Praying and working are two different things. Prayer should not be hindered by work, but neither should work be hindered by prayer. Just as it was God's will that man should work six days and rest and make holy day in His presence on the seventh, so it is also God's will that every day should be marked for the Christian by both prayer and work. . . . Without the burden and labor of the day, prayer is not prayer, and without prayer work is not work. This only the Christian knows. Thus, it is precisely in the clear distinction between them that their oneness becomes manifest" (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 69-70).

CREC: Ordination Examination

For the past four months I have been working with the Ordination Examination Committee of Knox Presbytery (CREC), in preparation for my Oral Examination, which took place this past Tuesday (10/15/13) at Presbytery. The Oral Examination took place on the floor of Presbytery, overseen by the Committee, and after the examination concluded the Presbytery went into executive session, deliberated, and voted to recommend me to the local Session at CCRC for ordination.

The Ordination Examination process was long and hard: I worked with the Committee, which involved interviews, phone calls, emails, research/writing papers, filling out pastoral case studies and written exams, etc. I am thankful for how God manifested his glory during the process. It was spiritually rewarding. I am, however, thankful to be finished. Although it is an oversimplification, in general this is what I did in order to prepare for my ordination examination:

Systematic Theology

I worked through my notes from Beeke and Ferguson's Reformed Confessions Harmonized, Williamson's WCF for Study Classes, Turretin's Institutes, and Calvin's Institutes.

Bible

I worked through my notes for Bible, e.g., comprehension, book outlines, lists, characters, etc.

Ordination Study Guide

I filled out and reviewed the CREC's ordination study guide.

Church History and the Trinity

I thumbed through several volumes on Church History and the Trinity, e.g., Shelley, Placher, Curtis, and Letham.

Exegesis Papers, Written Exams, and Case Studies

I reviewed the exegesis papers, written exams, and pastoral case studies I turned into the committee as requirements during the ordination examination process.

In hindsight, I wish I had spent more time figuring out what I didn't know. I should have been more systematic about determining where the gaps were for both doctrinal/biblical knowledge and pastoral reflection and wisdom.

LOL: Machen on French Underwear

J. Gresham Machen served during World War I in France with the YMCA war efforts to support the troops. In one of his letters back home, he recounted how he recently escaped a German insurgence that had overtaken his previous post. He and companions had to retreat hastily, with no time to pack up any personal effects at all - everything was left behind. He had made his way back to Paris, and while there he wrote:

I have been directed to wait here in Paris till tomorrow when instructions may be given me. Naturally clothes are almost my first concern. The prices are something terrific - for instance I paid 185 francs plus a war tax for a pair of high boots. But I should not mind if I could only get the things that I desire. French underwear is cut in the queerest way imaginable, and the American variety cannot be found. But this morning I am at least fairly clean. I even had a bath! (Ned B. Stonehouse, J. Gresham Machen: A Biographical Memoir, 270).

When I first read the above, I laughed out loud.

WCF. II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - Q & A - Questions 1-3.

Blogging through and answering the questions from G. I. Williamson's The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes for personal review and comprehension.

Prior posts for WCF. I. Of the Holy Scriptures - Sections 1-10.

Prior posts for WCF. II. Questions 1-3. 

     II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - 1-2.
     II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - 3.

WCF. II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - 3. Q & A

Blogging through and answering the questions from G. I. Williamson's The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes for personal review and comprehension.

Prior posts for WCF. I. Of the Holy Scriptures - Sections 1-10.

Prior post for WCF. II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity:

WCF. II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - 1-2.

WCF. II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - 3.

1. Is the doctrine of the Trinity revealed in the Old Testament? In the New Testament?

Yes. God reveals himself through events recorded in Scripture. The Old Testament recorded events which prepared man for the (redemptive-historical) events by which God clearly revealed himself as triune, while the New Testament records events in light of this revelation. Williamson says, "God revealed himself by supernatural deeds, along with which gradually gave more and more verbal interpretation. Only as God's plan of redemption was fully worked out, was God himself fully made known" (26-27).

2. Is the God revealed in the Old Testament the triune God? How can this be proved?

Yes. The God revealed in the Old Testament is fully God, and, therefore, triune, although this was not fully evident until the latter revelation came (provided by the New Testament). It is called the Old Testament because it is the older (partial) revelation. Neither the Old or the New Testaments alone are God's full revelation, rather, the two together is God's full revelation which reveals by way of redemptive-historical deeds who God is, and His plan of redemption for man, etc. With the revelation provided by the New Testament, it is clear that the triune God is revealed in the Old Testament. For example, in Genesis 1:26 and 11:5, 7 we see God's self-reference to a plurality in the Godhead (fashioning man "in our image" and "Let us go down") . . . Williamson says there is scriptural data (like the tests just mentioned) which are "inexplicable by any other interpretation than by a trinitarian interpretation" (273).

3. Cite an Old Testament text to prove that God is not a single person.

Genesis 1:26. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness . . ."

Genesis 32:24-30. "And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him . . . . And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."

Exodus 23:20-25. "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images. And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee"

4. Cite a text which indicates that the Angel of Jehovah is Jehovah (God).

Exodus 23:20, 21 (see above).

5. Cite a prophetic text which will show that God promised to send God incarnate.

The Immanuel ("God with us") promised in Isaiah 7:14 is called "mighty God" in Isaiah 9:6.

6. Why did the apostles accept the "doctrine" of the Trinity?

The accepted the doctrine of the Trinity because each of the Person's of the Godhead had revealed themselves through specific deeds which confirmed they were distinct but together united (one).

7. What two essential elements of the doctrine of the Trinity are taught in the baptismal form of Matthew?

The two elements are: (a) God is one, and (b) God is three. (Three Persons in one being; one being in three Persons.)

Christian Living: Joyful and Enthusiastic

Ned B. Stonehouse quoting J. Gresham Machen in the biographical-memoir J. Gresham Machen:

Instead of stifling the pleasures afforded by the acquisition of knowledge or by the appreciation of what is beautiful, let us accept these pleasures as the gifts of a heavenly Father. Instead of obliterating the distinction between the Kingdom and the world, or on the other hand withdrawing from the world into a sort of modernized intellectual monasticism, let us go forth joyfully, enthusiastically to make the world subject to God [underline CCS] (187).

Machen got it right: Christians need to be joyful and enthusiastic as they make the world subject to God, i.e., as they fulfill the Great Commission.

Credit the Calvinists

At First Things James R. Rogers has some nice things to say about Calvinists.

WCF. II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - 1-2. Q & A

Blogging through and answering the questions from G. I. Williamson's The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes for personal review and comprehension.

Prior posts for WCF. I. Of the Holy Scriptures - Sections 1-10.

WCF. II. Of God, And of the Holy Trinity - 1-2.

1. Where is the proof to be found of the true God's existence?

Hebrews 11:6 says, "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Thus, Williamson says, "The doctrine of God begins, therefore, with the assertion that God is. And to the truth of this assertion (as Scripture informs us) everything testifies" (23).

2. What do we mean when we call God a "Spirit"?

God is pure Spirit, meaning he does not have a body like men.

3. Why does Scripture speak of God as having hands, feet, etc.?

In such instances, Scripture is speaking metaphorically and/or (oftentimes) synecdochically.

4. What is meant by the term "incommunicable"?

This term is used to describe the attributes of God that are not and cannot be communicated to man (image bearer of God).

5. What is meant by the term "attributes"?

"Attribute" in reference to the Divine denotes those qualities belonging to God.

6. What are the incommunicable attributes of God?

The incommunicable attributes of God are: eternity, infinity, immutability. God alone has these attributes.

7. What is meant by the term "communicable"?

The term is used to describe the attributes of God that are and can be communicated to man (image bearer of God).

8. What are some communicable attributes of God?

God has qualities that he bestows ("in a measure") upon creatures, i.e., the sevenfold list: being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

9. Does our knowledge of a particular fact or truth (for example) have the same qualities as does God's knowledge of that fact or truth?

No. God's knowledge of a particular fact or truth is eternal, infinite, and immutable knowledge. That is to say, God's knowledge of a particular fact or truth is Divine knowledge. Our knowledge is not Divine knowledge. We are creatures. Therefore, we have creaturely knowledge. Creaturely knowledge is finite; it does not have the same qualities as does God's knowledge.

10. What does God receive?

God receives nothing because His Divine knowledge is eternal, infinite, and immutable. All that we give to God is merely a re-interpretation (reflection) of his Divine knowledge.

11. What simple truth of the doctrine of God is seldom consistently maintained in the thinking of (even Christian) men?

The simple truth of the doctrine of God that is seldom consistently maintained is that all is derivative of God, meaning, "God is the great original. Everything else is, in one way or another, a mere reflection of him" (25). Everything else is analogically related to the doctrine of the knowledge of God.

WCF. I. Of the Holy Scriptures - Q & A - Questions 1-10.

Blogging through and answering the questions from G. I. Williamson's The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes for personal review and comprehension.

Prior posts for WCF. I. Questions 1-10.

     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 1.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 2-5.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 6.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 7.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 8.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 9.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 10.

Exhortation to be Faithful to the Master's Work

"Believe it, brethren, God never saved any man for being a preacher, nor because he was an able preacher; but because he was justified, sanctified man, and consequently faithful in his Master's work" (Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, 54).

Evangelical Christian

"We must learn to know the Scriptures again, as the Reformers and our fathers knew them. We must not grudge the time and the work that it takes. We must know the Scriptures first and foremost for our salvation. . . . But one who will not learn to handle the Bible for himself is not an evangelical Christian" (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 54-55).

The Psalter and Prayer, Again

"Here [in the Psalter] we learn, first, what prayer means. It means praying according to the Word of God, on the basis of promise" (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 47).

An Ideal Curriculum

"God not only gives us inspired teaching in the Bible, but inspired songs too. Songs often do as much as sermons (if not more) to shape our faith. The Scriptures preached and Psalms sung provide an ideal curriculum for shaping the faith of the church" (Michael LeFebvre, Singing the Songs of Jesus: Revisiting the Psalms, 38).

Friday "How To Video" at Tree & The Seed: "How To" Spread Wealth Around Like Jello On A Plate

WCF. I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 10. Q & A

Blogging through and answering the questions from G. I. Williamson's The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes for personal review and comprehension.

Prior posts:

     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 1.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 2-5.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 6.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 7.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 8.
     I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 9.

WCF. I. Of the Holy Scriptures - 10.

  1. What is the difference between the Roman Catholic and Reformed Churches with regard to the supreme judge in matters of religious controversy?

WCF clearly teaches that Reformed Churches regard the Holy Spirit speaking through Scripture as the "supreme judge" in all matters of religious controversy, e.g., "decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits." Roman Catholic churches do not believe this: Roman Catholics believe (a) the Roman Church can "infallibly interpret the infallible Word of God" and (b) the Pope can speak officially regarding doctrinal controversies, i.e., the doctrine of Papal infallibility.

2. Can the Church speak infallibly? If not, then how can it speak with authority or value?

No. Only God speaks infallibly (God is infallible, thus, he can speak infallibly). The Church can speak with authority and value insofar as it declares the Word of God.

3. In the Synod of Jerusalem did Peter act as pope? Who made the decision? Upon what was this decision based?

Peter was not acting as pope at the Synod of Jerusalem. The Church made a decision by appealing to the Old Testament (see verses 14-18).