Order of Decrees
From Encyclopedia Reformata
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The Question of Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism
The doctrine of predestination has not always been presented in exactly the same form. Among Calvinists a difference developed between Supra- and Infralapsarian views in the seventeenth century and they continue to exist alongside of each other in Reformed circles. The difference between the two views pertains primarily to the order of the divine decrees. The question is, whether in the plan of God the decrees of election and reprobation precede or follow the decrees to create the world and to permit the fall. This naturally involves another question, namely, whether in the decree of predestination God regarded man as already created and fallen, or as an object still to be created and certain to fall. The general order is as follows, with a distinction between two types of supralapsarianism, type 2 placing a priority on the decree of creation:
SUPRALAPSARIAN ORDER - Type 1
The supralapsarian order may be stated thus:
- God first decreed to glorify Himself in the salvation of some and in the damnation of other men, who at this stage existed in His mind only as possibilities.
- As a means to that end, He decreed to create those already elected or reprobated.
- For the consummation of the plan so far formed, He further decreed to permit man to fall.
- Finally, He decreed to open up a way of salvation for the elect and to lead them to everlasting glory, passing the others by and consigning them to everlasting destruction for their sin.
SUPRALAPSARIAN ORDER - Type 2
- Creation: God decreed to glorify Himself in creating all things in Christ.
- Creation of mankind: God decreed to glorify Himself in creating mankind out of which He would choose some and reject others.
- Election: God decreed to glorify Himself in electing some in Christ
- Reprobation: God decreed to glorify Himself in rejecting others
- The Fall: God decreed to permit man to fall into sin, whereby all men were constituted sinners.
- Redemption: God decreed to send Christ to provide the way of salvation for the elect.
- Salvation: God decreed to send the Holy Spirit and thus provide all the means necessary for salvation of the elect.
INFRALAPSARIAN ORDER
While the supralapsarian order may be regarded as the more ideal of the two, the infralapsarian is more historical.
- God first decreed to create man.
- Then He decreed to permit the fall of man.
- Next He decreed to elect a certain number of the fallen and justly condemned race to eternal life, and to pass the others by, consigning them to everlasting destruction for their sin.
- Finally, He decreed to provide a way of salvation for the elect.
This is the order officially adopted by the Reformed Churches in the Canons of Dordt.
Further Study:
- Berkhof, Systematic Theology.
- Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics. One of the best discussions of the issues, if not the best. Read this online
- Hodge, Outlines of Theology, pp. 214–236.
- Girardeau, The Will in its Theological Relations.
- Dijk, Om ‘t Eeuwig Welbehagen, pp. 265–456.
Source: Based on Louis Berkhof’s Manual of Christian Doctrine.
