Systematic Theology (Vol 1) - Hodge - XXXVI - Chapter 9 (The decrees of God)

Required reading
Systematic Theology Volume 1 by Charles Hodge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 9 (The decrees of God).

My summary
This week Hodge discusses the decrees of God.

Firstly Hodge teaches us about the nature of the decrees.  They are:
(i) for the glory of God;
(ii) reducible to one purpose;
(iii) eternal;
(iv) immutable;
(v) free;
(vi) efficacious;
(vii) related to all events;
(viii) foreordained.

Secondly Hodge deals with objections to the doctrine of the divine decrees, particularly those relating to:
(i) foreordination;
(ii) sin;
(iii) motives to exertion;
(iv) fatalism.

What grabbed me
I was a little disappointed with Hodge's responses to objections, particularly the objection relating to free agency: 'That an event may be free and yet certain, may be easily proved. (1.) It is a matter of consciousness. We are often absolutely certain how we shall act, so far as we are free to act at all, and conscious that we act freely. A parent may be certain that he will succor a child in distress, and be conscious that his free agency is not thereby impaired. The more certain, in many cases, the more perfectly are we self-controlled. (2.) Free acts have been predicted, and therefore their occurrence was certain. (3.) Nothing was more certain than that our Lord would continue holy, harmless, and undefiled, yet his acts were all free. (4.) It is certain that the people of God will repent, believe, and persevere in holiness forever in heaven, yet they do not cease to be free agents. The decrees of God, therefore, which only secure the certainty of events, are not inconsistent with liberty as to the mode of their occurrence. Although his purpose comprehends all things, and is immutable, yet thereby " no violence is offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established." '

All Hodge has done is affirm that an event is free and certain.  That doesn't explain 'how' it can be free and certain.

Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 10 (Creation) by reading up to the heading '4. Objections to the doctrine'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.