WCF, Chapter 3, Part I Revised

Thanks to my very smart friends I have a better understanding of what this point is saying.  It really makes so much more sense now that the English has been translated properly.  And this has now put me on guard for any other strange wording I might run into!

 This is my new understanding of Point 1, Chapter 3.

God has ordained all things.  He is not the author of sin.  He does not “make” us do anything or infringe on our “free will.”  He has designed our world to work according to cause and effect.

 The only thing I changed was the third sentence.  It really does flow much better.  I understand now that after a statement like, “God ordained all things,” one (I did) might have questions such as, “What about sin, and our free will, and just the way the universe works by cause and effect?”  When the WCF makes a statement such as that, they necessarily backed it up by answering all of those questions. 

 I’m going to attempt to write more on this subject.  Mainly because there was a question in one of the last comments about God ordaining all things.  And one of the comments that followed pointed out that it is a concept we simply must accept because Scripture affirms it. 

I was going to try and go through and provide many Scripture references to this concept, but the Larger Catechism does a pretty good job already so I will post that.

Question 12 of the Larger Catechism:

What are the decrees of God? 

God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will (a), whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time (b), especially concerning angels and men.

a.

 Eph 1:11 — In  him were also chosen (Or were made heirs), having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.

Rom 9:14-15, 18 — What then shall we say?  Is God unjust?  Not at all!  For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

Rom 11:33 –Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

b.

Eph 1:4 — For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love– (repeat Eph 1:11). 

Rom 9:22, 23 — What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath–prepared for destruction?  What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory–.

Psalm 33:11– But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

This list of references on God’s providence is certainly not exhausted.  While I was searching out these answers I was using hubby’s Reformation Bible and stumbled on an article entitled “Providenc: Who Is in Control of the World?”  I would like to highlight this article and the many references it provides, but for now I’m going to share another valuable resource. The Belgian Confession.   Although not providing as many proof texts, it seems to have a more personal feel than that of the WCF. (And it should considering its backround;  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgic_Confession ).

Article 13: The Doctrine of God’s Providence

We believe that this good God, after he created all things, did not abandon them to chance or fortune but leads and governs them according to his holy will, in such a way that nothing happens in this world without his orderly arrangement.

     Yet God is not the author of, nor can he be charged with, the sin that occurs.  For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible that he arranges and does his work very well and justly even when the devils and wicked men act unjustly.  We do not wish to inquire with undue curiousity into what he does that surpasses human understanding and is beyond our ability to comprehend.  But in all humility and reverence we adore the just judgements of God which are hidden from us, being content to be Christ’s disciples, so as to learn only what he shows us in his Word, without going beyond those limits. 

     This doctrine gives us unspeakable comfort since it teaches us that nothing can happen to us by chance but only by the arrangement of our gracious heavenly Father.  He watches over us with fatherly care, keeping all creatures under his control, so that not one of the the hairs on our head (for they are all numbered) nor even a little bird can fall to the ground without the will of our Father.

     In this thought we rest, knowing that he holds in check the devils and all our enemies, who cannot hurt us without his permission and will.

     For that reason we reject the damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God involves himself in nothing and leaves everything to chance. 

Matthew 10:29-20– Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

 

WCF, Chapter 3, Part I

I was tempted to call it quits and say, “This is too much for me right now, I’ve got other things going on, and this is too heavy for me to get into.”  Hubby has encouraged me to persevere.  I was also in a conversation with some friends recently and was running into a wall when I was trying to explain where we differ on our views of God’s sovereignty.  It was inspiration to keep going and make for myself an account of my faith. 

I may do this Chapter (and others, I’m sure) in chunks.  This will probably be part one of six.  There are 6 points in this Chapter and each one needs to be dissected, at least for me, anyway.  I sure hope more learned people will read this and help me out.  I’ll just start by saying that these are attempts to understand God’s sovereignty and I welcome any feedback.  In fact, I need as much as I can get!

I think I will write the Confession verbatim along with Scripture references and at the end try to paraphrase or write how I understand it to mean. (Which might be kind of garbled.)

Chapter 3

Of God’s Eternal Decree

1)  God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeable ordain whatsoever comes to pass: (Eph 1:11, Rom 11:33, Heb 6:17, Rom 9:15&18) yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, (James 1:13&17, 1 John 1:5) nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established. (Acts 2:23, Matt 17:12, Acts 4:27&28, John 19:11, Prov 16:33).  

Everything seems to flow pretty smoothly for me until that very last statement.  “Nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.”  

 Okay, so in my own words point one is saying;

*God has ordained all things.

*He is not the author of sin.

*He does not will or influence acts of violence in man.

* With that, comes the establishment of free choice and the chance event of second causes.

Oh, so many questions!  I hope I have paraphrased that last sentence correctly, please help me if you think not. 

I’m stuck on this point because it looks to me like it’s contradictory.  God ordained all things, but He’s not the author of sin.  How can He not be the author of sin, yet ordain it?  It’s funny, as I ask that question it seems to make sense.  Maybe if I were to look at it like this.  There is a glass paper weight next to me one the desk.  I know that if it falls on the floor it will break.  It will break when it falls. (Second cause?)  I have that foreknowledge.  I did not instill in my child the will to violently push it on to the floor, he did it, I knew he was going to, violently or not, and it broke.  It was my childs choice to act out in violence to push it on to the floor, it was my will that he would push it on to the floor and break it.  ????????

Please add any input you can provide.

_________Edited________

Okay, hubby read this and believes I’m a  little off.  I think I agree.

I don’t have the time to correct the above with my new understanding so hopefully you can find your way.  I may write another post to get my thoughts more in line.

*As far as violence goes; God is not not speaking of random acts of violence toward just anything, moreover violence against man.  God does not desire man to act violently or sinfully toward other men.  

*As far as chance events; God has designed our world to work according to cause and effect.

I’m still processing this, non of this is by no means concrete in my feeble mind.

   

 

WCF, Chapter Two

There really is just no way that I am even going to try and write Chapter 2 in my own words.  You’ll see why.  I thought that I would highlight some of the things that were especially meaningful to me or that really stuck out.  I’d really like to include Scripture references, but due to the high volume in this Chapter, I’m going to make it a bit easier on myself.  I have included a link to an on-line source for the Westminster Confession of Faith in my blogroll.  If you have questions and don’t have a copy, go there for the Scripture reference.  I will indicate in my copy where there is a proof.  

Chapter 2, Of God and the Holy Trinity

1.  There is but one only,[1]  living, and true God:[2] who is infinite in being and perfection,[3] a most pure spirit,[4] invisible,[5] without body, parts,[6] or passions,[7] immutable,[8] immense,[9] eternal, [10] incomprehensible,[11] almighty,[12] most wise,[13] most holy,[14] most free,[15] most absolute,[16] working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will,[17] for His own glory;[18] most loving,[19] gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin,[20] the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him;[21] and withal, most just and terrible in His judgments,[22] hating all sin,[23] and who will by no means clear the guilty.[24] 

2.  God hath all life,[25] glory,[26] goodness, [27] blessedness,[28] in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He hath made,[29] nor deriving any glory from them,[30] but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them: He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things;[31] and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleaseth.[32] In His sight all things are open and manifest;[33] His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature,[34] so as nothing is to Him contingent, or uncertain.[35]  He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands.[36]  To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience He is pleased to require of them.[37] 

3.  In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.[38]  The Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding: the Son is eternally begotten of the Father:[39] the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.[40]

Let me just say, if you want to be humbled, just read this Chapter and the Scripture references a few times. 

There are quite a few things that stick out to me in this Chapter.  First off, point one is just awesome.  I think it would be great to have that memorized and if any body had doubt to “who” God is, this could just be laid out for them. One precious attribute after another.  (I’d have to make sure that I have the proofs handy in memory too.) 

There were a few things that struck me in point two.  “And is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He hath made.”  This is the Scripture reference: Acts 17:24. “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;” V 25.  “Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.”

I find this to be such a relief, but know that it could also make me lazy.  I know that God wants us to “go out unto the nations,” but it’s good to know that He is not dependent on me to save souls. He can use me as an instrument in another persons life for them to know the Gospel, but he doesn’t “need” me.  He could speak into their ear himself if he so wished.  And I am not to credit myself for introducing them to their salvation.  As I said though, this might make one lazy.  “Okay, so it’s not up to me to save souls, I guess God can do it Himself.”  Never something I’d want to say, but I could see it being a temptation for others.  I’d love to delve more into this topic, but I do not doubt we will come back to it again.  For now, I’ll move onto another interesting point.

“And hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleaseth.”  I used to struggle with this and am glad to review it.  This thought was hard for me mostly in dealing with ”innocent” people, especially babies and children.  When I read that sentence, I read, “God can do anything He wants to us, kill us, torture us, whatever.”  I know, kind of crude, but I used to think it.  First off, the statement just seems heartless, like we’re a bunch of puppets He plays around with.  Secondly, how can a ”God of Love” do something so horrible to His children?   These are not questions I ask myself now, but it’s a struggle for some I’m sure, as it was for me for some time.  The answer is in the sentence that follows.  “He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands.” Scripture, Ps 145:17. “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all his works.”  Rom 7:12. “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just , and good.”

The key word for me in this is ‘holy.’  No matter what my finite mind thinks about His doings, He is ‘holy,’ no matter what kind of questions I have about Him, He is ‘holy,’ no matter if I’m angry or hate Him for allowing some certain thing to happen, He is ‘holy.’  

Oxford Dictionary definition of holy: “morally and spiritually excellent or perfect, and to be revered.”

It’s hard to think of some of the most horrific things that happen on this earth as holy, they may not be, but He is. 

There’s hope for us yet.

 

What is the purpose of the Confession?

This question was brought up to me by a dear friend.  I was perplexed by her question and, sadly, it was beyond me to answer, so I asked my pastor.

 I thought that before moving on to Chapter 2, I’d post what I have learned. 

First off, I feel like this is a question that should have been examined before even beginning a study of the WC.  Really, questions like this should be examined before beginning any kind of personal in-depth study.  And I am indebted to my friend for bringing it up.

To be honest, I feel a little foolish reading my previous posts on the WC knowing what I know now.  I was reading it to gain more of a knowledge of what being Reformed is, and knew that I could find that out by reading this document, but didn’t really know what “the purpose of a book like this was.”  Now I do and am anxious to share.  And even more excited to continue on this path of knowing God, whether it be from a Reformed perspective or not.  Just that His grace and truth will abound. 

“What is the purpose of the Confession?”

Most all of the answer to this comes from my pastor.  And, although I have his permission to post his comments, I’m not very comfortable with posting his full name, so if you would like that information, let me know and I’ll email you personally.

From Steve: 

At its most basic level, the Confession is simply a summary of what the
Bible teaches.  The summary (because it is a summary) also identifies
what of the Bible’s content is essential for us to know to be in
relationship with God and to grow as Christians.  For instance, as a
matter of priority (not truthfulness), is what the Bible teaches about
angels as important as what it teaches about Jesus?  No.

At a slightly more comprehensive level, the Confession answers the
question: What do we as Christians, as the Church believe?  It explains
the essential teaching of the Bible in a way that is helpful to people
who are seeking answers and don’t know either where to go in the Bible
for answers or how to make sense of all the many things the Bible says
on the subjects it addresses (it’s not an encyclopedia, as we all
know).

Everybody has a summary (their own “confession”) whether they know it
or not. 

(Question:  “What is the Bible all about?”  The answer is your ‘confession.’)

The Westminster Confession is an historical confession.  That means
that many Christians for many years have been using it as a faithful summary
of what the Bible teaches — from that perspective, it is a document
that unites rather than divides.  Also, a document like the WC cannot
be blamed for divisions that result from disagreements — rather, a
document like the WC helps us understand why those disagreements exist,
and enables us better to evaluate the ideas behind those disagreements.
 
A document like the WC can help us understand why certain biblical
ideas really are important (like why it’s really important to say that Jesus
is fully God and fully man, or why God exists as a Trinity).The WC is also a teaching confession (this is where the Catechisms come
into view) — it is written in an instructional style so that the
content of the Bible can be taught in a consistent and orderly fashion.

The WC (and documents like it) is a biblical document.  I don’t mean
that it just teaches the Bible (which it does), but its purpose is in
keeping with what the Bible directs us to do.  The Bible never assumes
that it’s a good thing for us to study the Bible independently and
privately.  The Bible DOES call us to personal study, but NEVER to
private or independent study.  It has always been God’s design to give
us teachers, pastors, guides, mentors, friends to help us know him and
his Word.  Our knowledge of God has always existed within the community
of God’s people — God did not give the Bible to you or me, but to us,
the Church.

Now, that last paragraph is actually a presupposition distinctive of
(but not unique to) a Reformed perspective.  One may, in the
end, insist that private learning is more important than corporate
accountability, but if they insist on that belief, I hope they can
recognize and respect that others who value the Bible the same way they
do come at the knowledge of God and his Word from a different
trajectory (in community vs independently), and that the independent
approach has inherent difficulties (just as does the community
approach).

I am so grateful to Steve for his input.  Hope this is helpful to anyone else out there who might have similar questions.

 

WCF, Chapter One, Part II

This is hard because I know that my words are way less than adequate to express fully what the Westminster says.  The more I read the more fascinated I become and realize that it is beyond me to present their points with complete accuracy.  However, for my growth and learning I feel it is necessary to try.  If possible, please read my posts along with your own copy of the Confession, for one, to be sure I’m not completely off in my presentation, and two, because you will, most certainly, not see the depth and beauty of the Confession in my writing. 

All that said, I will humbly present my knowledge of points 6 thru 10 in Chapter One.  I have decided to include the Scripture references. 

(Of the Holy Scripture)

6)  All of what God wants us to know of Him, for His own glory, for our salvation, and for our faith and life is written in the Scriptures, or can be deduced from the Scriptures. Even if there are new revelations of Spirit or changes in man’s traditions, nothing can be added to the Scriptures. (2 Tim 3:15-17, Gal 1:8-9, 2 Thess 2:2).  We know that the Spirit of God must be inwardly present and working for the complete understanding of the Word revealed to us. (John 6:45, 1 Cor 2:9-12).   The general rules of the Word are always to be observed along with Christian prudence in the decisions of men concerning the ”worship of God, and government of the Church.” (1 Cor 11:13-14, 1 Cor 14:26&40).

7) Not everything in the Scriptures is plainly stated, nor understood with complete clarity. (2 Peter 3:16).  But everything that needs to be known, observed, and believed concerning our salvation is completely clear in many parts of Scripture, and the learned as well as the unlearned can grasp and understand it.   (Ps 119:105 & 130).

8)The Church’s final appeal concerning the written Word is the original Hebrew and Greek texts. They are to be referred to in all matters of controversies of religion. (Isa 8:20, Acts 15:15, John 5:39&46).  The Greek and Hebrew texts are the authentic words inspired by God which He has “kept pure in all ages.” (Matt 5:18)  But, because many of us do not know the Hebrew and Greek language they should be translated into a tongue that we are familiar with. (1 Cor 14:6).  So that Gods Word may be known and understood by all and we can worship Him in an acceptable way.  (Col 3:16).  And so that we may have hope through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures.  (Rom 15:4). 

9)  When searching for meaning in the Scriptures, it should be sought out by comparing it with other places in the Word that speak more clearly.  “The interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself.”  This is the infallible rule.  (2 Pet 1:20-21, Acts 15:15-16). 

10)  The Holy Spirit, speaking in the Scripture, is the supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined.  (Matt 22:29V31, Eph 2:20, Acts 28:25).

Whew, I did it.  I got through Chapter One.  Sorry to any of you who might have read along in the Confession.  I got lazy and did a lax job of paraphrasing, thank goodness I’m not being graded.  At least, I hope none of you are grading me!

So I have a few comments.

For point 7:  I was actually really surprised to see this.  I suppose I’ve read it in Scripture before, but it didn’t strike me like it does now.  My husband was a great help to me when I first became a believer.  Well, he pretty much was my counselor concerning anything with Scripture.  We were overseas and didn’t have many denominations to chose from.  He was going to on off base Independent Baptist church when we met so that is where we went when we were dating. (He was saved at a young age and became reformed in High-school along with his parents.) 

So right away, along with the knowledge of my salvation, he began teaching me about reformed theology.  There was a small period of time where I really wasn’t sure about all of it.  I mean, come on, I just realized that God had pulled me out of a huge dark, ever descending pit, I needed some time to just revel in that.  It’s so fun to say that when I met my husband I met Jesus, and I fell hard for both of them.

So when I came out of the clouds with all of that I had all of these things to try to sort through that my husband was telling me.  He was soooo patient with me, bless his heart.  But, I was just not getting it.  I really feel now that it wasn’t that my mind was not capable of “getting it,” it was more that God was not yet revealing it to me.  I would watch my hubby try to explain these things to our Independent Baptist friends, but they always ended up frustrated and sometimes hostile.  It was never like that with me.  I would read the Scripture and know what my hubby said that it meant, but still have doubt that what he was saying was what God was saying. 

I do remember a distinct time when I “got it.”  I just knew. I never pleaded to God to help me understand what hubby was telling me.  I wanted to know Him and His truth, nothing else.  I was especially careful because I was in love with my husband and I didn’t want to say I believed these things only to gain his acceptance.  I wanted to believe these things, because God revealed them to me  and for no other reason.  I use to challenge hubby with certain questions and was uncomfortable with his answer.  I had struggles of my own in some of the reformed thinking.  So on that certain day God said to me,  through his Word, “My ways are not your ways.”  That just solidified it to me, it was clear and I had peace.

I guess, I’m just wondering about those who are so hostile to the Reformed faith.  Is it because God has just not let them see yet?   I realize that in just saying that I could get myself into trouble.  But, it is so hard for me when I can see plainly what the Scripture says, yet, someone else may see it differently.  And may become angry or offended at my view.  Is it okay to say to them or even just myself, “God hasn’t seen it fit to reveal this truth to you yet.”?  And if that’s okay to say, then why.  Why doesn’t God want everyone to see these truths?  

My other comment was for point 8:

This was helpful for me, having run ins with a few people who are only KJV users.  There is freedom in using what you are most familiar with.  And comfort knowing that God wants you to know ”Him” not your translation.  Hey, if I have questions, I know where to turn.  My very own Greek and Hebrew language tutor.  Oh, didn’t you know? 

I never once thought that 1 Cor 14:6 could be used in this context.  It’s good.

So hopefully I won’t take another month to get Chapter 2 done.  Hey, at this rate, I’d be done in three years!

 

Westminster Readings, Chapter One, Part I

Okay, I have finished reading the prefaces of the Westminster and am now onto the body of the Confession of Faith.  Let me just say, whoa.  

I’ll start by saying that it is broken down into chapters, and each chapter has numbered points, and each point is referenced by scripture.  There are 33 chapters and the points range any where from 3 to 10 in each chapter.  I would venture to say that practically every sentence written is proofed by scripture.  Thus, three fourths to two thirds of the page is purely scripture.  I may use the NIV to proof because I think they use the KJV and it is difficult enough as it is. 

So the first chapter has 10 points and it has taken me a week to grasp the first five!  Actually it isn’t so hard to grasp, the difficulty for me is trying to understand the writing, or the style of writing.  My husband has been a huge help, I honestly don’t think I’ll be able to break down the writing without him.  Maybe as I get more used to it, I hope so. 

Chapter 1

Of the Holy Scripture  (As my feeble mind understands it)

1)  Although God has revealed himself through creation and is evidently known, He has seen it necessary to make known His presence and the knowledge of salvation in written word.  All the ways that God has made Himself known in the past is now ceased, and the scriptures are absolutely necessary for God to be revealed to us.

2) This is just a list of all the chapters in the Old and New Testaments.  “All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.”

3) This point states that the Apocrypha is only to be understood as human writings, not divine inspiration.  (The Apocrypha as I understand it, is the chapters from Malachi to Matthew in the Catholic bible.)

4)  God alone is to be understood as the author to the scriptures.  We are not to look at it as a compilation of men writing their testimony about God.  It is “The Word of God.”

5)  The only way to truly understand the scriptures is by the inward working of the Holy Spirit.  We may be moved and inspired by the scriptures, but ultimately the Spirit moves in us to reveal the true nature of God.

I’ll come back and put in the points 6 thru 10 when I get to it.