Purpose of God's Decree in Calvinism and Arminianism

The purpose of God's decree is a topic of significant debate among Christian traditions, with different interpretations emerging from Calvinism and Arminianism. At its core, the discussion revolves around the nature and scope of God's sovereignty in relation to human salvation and the events of the world.

Calvinism and the Purpose of God's Decree

In Calvinism, God's decree is seen as an eternal, unchangeable, and sovereign purpose that comprehends all things that ever were or will be ^[1]. This perspective is rooted in the doctrine of predestination, which holds that God has foreordained certain individuals for salvation. According to Charles Hodge, predestination refers to the general purpose of redemption without reference to particular individuals, although it ultimately relates to those whom God has chosen ^[6]. The Westminster Confession, a Reformed creed, articulates this view by stating that God's decree is "to bring to pass whatsoever comes to pass" (not directly cited but referenced in ^[8]).

The Calvinistic view is supported by scriptural references such as Daniel 4:17, which highlights God's sovereignty over the kingdoms of men, and Romans 8:29-30, which discusses predestination to conformity with Christ ^{[2, 3]}. John Calvin's commentary on Isaiah underscores God's control over historical events, including the rise and fall of nations, as part of His decree ^[4].

Arminianism and the Purpose of God's Decree

Arminianism, on the other hand, presents a contrasting view. While also affirming God's sovereignty, Arminianism emphasizes human free will and the conditional nature of God's decree. According to Adam Clarke, one theologian, God's purpose is to call people to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, with the end goal of promoting holiness and love ^{[5, 9]}. This perspective is grounded in the belief that God's decree is not absolute but is instead responsive to human decisions and actions.

Arminian thought is reflected in the writings of early Church Fathers and is evident in the theology of the Methodist tradition. For instance, Clarke's commentary on 2 Thessalonians 2:13 highlights God's purpose in calling believers to salvation, emphasizing the role of human response to the Gospel ^[5].

Shared Ground and Diverging Traditions

Despite their differences, both Calvinism and Arminianism agree on the importance of God's sovereignty and the significance of Scripture in understanding His purposes. Both traditions recognize the biblical teaching on predestination and the role of divine providence in the world ^{[3, 7]}.

The divergence between Calvinism and Arminianism stems from their hermeneutical approaches to Scripture and their understanding of the relationship between God's sovereignty and human freedom. Calvinism tends to emphasize the absolute nature of God's decree, while Arminianism stresses the conditional aspects and the importance of human response.

The historical and theological contexts of these traditions have shaped their perspectives on God's decree. The Reformation era saw the emergence of Calvinism, with its strong emphasis on predestination and the sovereignty of God. Arminianism, arising in response to Calvinism, sought to balance God's sovereignty with human responsibility.

Conclusion

The purpose of God's decree remains a complex and contested issue within Christian theology, reflecting fundamental differences in how various traditions understand God's sovereignty, human freedom, and the nature of salvation. While Calvinism and Arminianism offer distinct perspectives, both are grounded in a commitment to Scripture and a desire to understand God's purposes in the world ^{[1, 5]}. The ongoing discussion between these traditions underscores the richness and diversity of Christian thought on this critical topic.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Decrees of God — "The decrees of God are his eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise, and sovereign purpose, comprehending at once all things that ever were or will be in their causes, conditions, successions, and relations, and determining their certain futurition. The several contents of this one eternal purpose are, because of the limitation of our faculties, necessarily conceived of by us in partial aspects, and in logical relations, and are therefore styled Decrees." The decree being the act of an infinite, absolute, eternal, unchangeable, and sovereign Person, compre”
Daniel “The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men. -- Daniel 4:17”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 16.13: us unless we have provoked him by our sins; but when wickedness has come to its greatest height, his indignation is kindled, and cannot be appeased. Thus he cuts off the hope of reconciliation from hypocrites and wicked men, who ceased not continually to add sin to sin. I will command him to take the spoil and to take the prey. He says that he has given a loose rein to the fierceness of enemies, that they may indulge without control in every kind of violence and injustice. Now, this must not be understood as if the Assyrians had a command fr”
2 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Thessalonians 2:13: God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, etc. - In your calling, God has shown the purpose that he had formed from the beginning, to call the Gentiles to the same privileges with the Jews, not through circumcision, and the observance of the Mosaic law, but by faith in Christ Jesus; but this simple way of salvation referred to the same end - holiness, without which no man, whether Jew or Gentile, can see the Lord. Let us observe the order of Divine grace in this business: 1. They were to hear the truth - the doctrines of the Gospel. 2. They were ”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 61: lay in the Apostle’s mind as he teaches us in Rom. viii. 29, 30 . Different Meanings assigned the Word Predestination. 2. There is an ambiguity in the word predestination. It may be used, first, in the general sense of foreordination. In this sense it has equal reference to all events; for God foreordains whatever comes to pass. Secondly, it may refer to the general purpose of redemption without reference to particular individuals. God predetermined to reveal his attributes in redeeming sinners, as He 321 predetermined to create the heave”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 41.--PREDESTINATION DEFINED AS ONLY GOD'S DISPOSING OF EVENTS IN HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE. (part 1): For either predestination must be preached, in the way and degree in which the Holy Scripture plainly declares it, so that in the predestinated the gifts and calling of God may be without repentance; or it must be avowed that God's grace is given according to our merits,--which is the opinion of the Pelagians; although that opinion of theirs, as I have often said already, may be read in the Proceedings of the Eastern bishops to have been condemned by the ”
Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 241: Predestination to Life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God be called according to God's purpose by his Spirit working in due season: they through Grace obey the calling: they be justified f”
1 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Timothy 1:5: Now the end of the commandment is charity - These genealogical questions lead to strife and debate; and the dispensation of God leads to love both to God and man, through faith in Christ. These genealogical questions leave the heart under the influence of all its vile tempers and evil propensities; Faith in Jesus purifies the heart. No inquiry of this kind can add to any thing by which the guilt of sin can be taken away; but the Gospel proclaims pardon, through the blood of the Lamb, to every believing penitent. The end, aim, and design of God in giving this dispe”

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