Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - XXVIII - 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: 'Reprobation comprises preterition and condemnation or damnation' (page 433 of my edition).

My summary

Firstly, today, Shedd gives us the following characteristics of the decree of election:

(i) it originates in compassion, not complacency;

(ii) it is not chargeable with partiality;

(iii) it is immutable;

(iv) it is irresistible;

(v) it is unconditional.

Secondly, in today's reading, Shedd begins the subject of reprobation by proving its validity as the logical antithesis to election.

What grabbed me

I appreciated the comments about partiality: 'God's decree of election is not chargeable with partiality, because this can obtain only when one party has a claim upon another. If God owed forgiveness and salvation to all mankind, it would be partiality should he save some and not others. Partiality is injustice. A parent is partial and unjust, if he disregards the equal rights and claims of all his children. A debtor is partial and unjust, if in the payment of his creditors he favors some at the expense of others. In these instances, one party has a claim upon the other. But it is impossible for God to show partiality in the bestowment of salvation from sin, because the sinner has no right or claim to it. "There is," says Aquinas (Summa, II. lxiii. 1), " a twofold giving: the one a matter of justice, whereby a man is paid what is due to him. Here, it is possible to act partially, and with respect of persons. There is a second kind of giving, which is a branch of mere bounty or liberality, by which something is bestowed that is not due. Such are the gifts of grace, whereby sinners are received of God. In this case, respect of persons, or partiality, is absolutely out of the question, because any one, without the least shadow of injustice, may give of his own as he will, and to whom he will: according to Matt. 20 :14, 15, 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own ?'"'

As wretched sinners, we have no claim on God for anything.

Next week's reading

Continue Chapter 6 The Divine Decrees by reading up to the paragraph beginning: 'The two great systems of theology which divide evangelical Christendom, Calvinism and Arminianism, are marked by their difference respecting the doctrines of election and preterition' (page 448 of my edition).

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