WSC 7
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q7. What are the decrees of God?
The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Proof texts
- Eph. 1:4,11 — [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
- Rom. 9:22-23 — [22] What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, [23] in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory —
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Eph. 1:4,11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q12 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 5.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?