Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - XXVII - Chapter 6 The divine decrees continued

Required reading

Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 6 The Divine Decrees by reading up to the paragraph beginning: 'The following characteristics of the decree of election are to be noticed. 1 God's decree of election originates in compassion, not complacency'. (page 423 of my edition).

My summary

This week Shedd continues the discussion of the divine decrees.

The divine decrees are divided into:

(i) efficacious (determining the event by physical and spiritual forces);

(ii) permissive (permission of moral evil).

Most of the discussion is about the permissive decree, including the failures to understand the origin of evil.

Then there is a related discussion of predestination and foreknowledge, which is then divided into decrees of election and reprobation.

What grabbed me

A lot of insight in this section, but also admission of certain mysteries that cannot be probed.

I enjoyed this comment on the reason for the permission of sin: 

'The reason for the permission of sin was the manifestation of certain Divine attributes which could not have been manifested otherwise. These attributes are mercy and compassion, with their cognates. The suffering of God incarnate, and vicarious atonement, with all their manifestation of the Divine glory, would be impossible in a sinless universe. The "intent" was, " that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God," Eph. 3:10. The attributes of justice and holiness, also, though exhibited in natural religion, yet obtain a far more impressive display in the method of redemption. The glory of God, not the happiness of the creature, is the true theodicy of sin. As the mineral kingdom is for the vegetable, the vegetable for the animal, and the animal for man, so all are for God. The inferior grade of being, in each instance, justifies the subservience. This is not egotism or selfishness, because of the superior dignity in each case.

The position that sin is necessary to the best possible universe is objectionable, unless by the best possible universe be meant the universe best adapted to manifest the Divine attributes. If the happiness of the creature be the criterion of the best possible universe, then sin is not necessary to the best possible world. Sin brings misery, and the best possible world, looking at the happiness of the creature alone, would have no sin in it. '

The fall has led to a marvelous display of God's attributes!

Next week's reading

Continue Chapter 6 The Divine Decrees by reading up to the paragraph beginning: 'Reprobation comprises preterition and condemnation or damnation' (page 433 of my edition).

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