Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - XXX - Chapter 6 The divine decrees concluded

Required reading

Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 6 The Divine Decrees.

My summary

Today we finish the discussion of the divine decrees.

Firstly Shedd contrasts the two great systems of theology of Arminianism and Calvinism with the following points:

1. In the Calvinistic system, election precedes faith, and preterition precedes perseverance in unbelief;

2. The Arminian election and preterition are judicial, not sovereign acts of God;

3. Since the Arminian election succeeds saving faith, in the logical order, it must in the same order succeed death;

4. The Arminian election and preterition are the election and preterition of qualities: namely, of faith and persevering unbelief;

5. The Arminian election is inconsistent with a part of the Arminian statement respecting inability.

Then Shedd deals with the objection to the doctrine of preterition that God cannot be sincere in the universal offer of the gospel.

The chapter closes with Shedd's warm commendation of the doctrine of election, including for preachers.

What grabbed me

So much excellent material in today's reading.

I think the point about the distinction between the revealed and decretive wills of God is extremely helpful in answering why God desires the salvation of the wicked yet does not act.

But I think my favourite part has to be the encouragement to preachers: 

'The doctrine of election and irresistible grace is more encouraging to the preacher of the word, than the opposite theory. It is more probable that an individual sinner will believe and repent, if faith and repentance depend wholly upon the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, than if they depend partly upon the energy of the sinner's will; and still more probable, if they depend wholly upon it. The Christian knows that if his faith and repentance had been left either partly or wholly, to his own separate agency, he would not have believed and repented, because he was strongly inclined to sin, loved its pleasure, and disliked humbling confession of sin and steady struggle against it.

On the same principle, it is more probable that the world of sinful men will come to faith and repentance, if this great event depends wholly upon God, and not wholly or partly upon the lethargic, fickle, and hostile will of man. If the success of the Holy Spirit depends upon the assistance of the sinner, He may not succeed. But if His suecess depends wholly upon Himself, He is certain to succeed. It is better to trust God for such an immense good as the salvation of the great mass of mankind, than to trust mankind themselves, either entirely or in part. The biographies of successful ministers and missionaries show, that the longer they preach, and the more successful their preaching, the less do they rely upon the will of the sinner for success. "Not by [human] might, nor by [human] power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts," Zech. 4:6. "We shall not walk in an even course, but still reeling and staggering, till faith be set wholly upon its own basis, the proper foundation of it; not set betwixt two, upon one strong prop and another that is rotten; partly on God and partly on creature helps and encouragements, or our own strength. That is the way to fall off. Our only safe and happy way is, in humble obedience, in God's own strength, to follow his appointments without standing and questioning the matter, and to resign the conduct of all to his wisdom and love; to put the rudder of our life into his hand, to steer the course of it as seemeth him good, resting quietly on his word of promise for our safety. Lord, whither thou wilt, and which way thou wilt, be thou my guide, and it sufficeth." Leighton; On 1 Pet. 3:19-21.'

Thankfully, salvation is of the Lord, not fickle man!

Next week's reading

Commence Chapter 7 Creation by reading up to the paragraph commencing, 'Between the single comprehensive act of the creation of the angels and of chaotic matter...' (page 474 in my edition).

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