The Decrees of God (WSC 7 & 8)

Last week, Joel told us the story of the revelation of the Triune God from creation to new creation. Tonight we look at the decree of the Triune God.

So what are the decrees of God?

Today the doctrine of God's decrees receives short shrift in most evangelical churches. Modern translations of scripture rarely use the term, so many people think that the idea is unbiblical. Yet many passages of scripture talk about God's counsel, God's foreknowledge, and otherwise mention decisions which God made "before the foundation of the world".

Question seven of our Shorter Catechism explains that.

Q. 7. What are the decrees of God?

A. 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.

Q. 8. How doth God execute his decrees?

A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.