This page has been added specificly for those who have an interest in discussing whether or not the doctrines of Calvinism are scriptural. This page seeks to give scriptural basis for the discussion as to whether God has decreed all things that come to pass. The belief that God has indeed decreed all things that come to pass is one of the foundations of Calvinism.
The Decrees of God in Scripture
If we want to derive scriptural teaching on any subject we need to go to scripture and see what it has to say about that subject. If we want to learn about the doctrine of the virgin birth, we need to seek out all the references in scripture to words such as "virgin" virgins", "virginity" and then search for the ones among those which have to do with "birth" or "child bearing". When we find the original Hebrew or Greek words we need to find out from a good concordance all the English words which are translated from the original words and locate all the scripture texts which use those words.
So when seeking to learn about the decrees of God, we need to find the original words that are translated "decree", "decrees", decreed" etc and then look up all the references where those original words are used. Then out of all the decrees of scripture, we need to separate those which deal with decrees made by God from decrees made by men. Our doctrine of the decrees of God should thus be derived from those scriptures where the Spirit of God, Himself speaks of decrees which God has made.
In a paper I wrote on Arminianism and Calvinism, showing that both departed from the scriptures, I listed all the scriptures I could find relative to the decrees of God.
APPENDIX A: DECREES OF GOD IN SCRIPTURE:
The Hebrew words from which our English word "decree" is translated are:
-CHOQ (Strong's # 2706) translated as "appointed", "bound","commandment", "decree", "due", "law", "ordinance","statute".
-CHUQQAH (Strong's #2708 the feminine of 2706) translated as "appointed", "ordinance", "statute".
-CHAQAQ (Strong's #2710 the root word of 2706 & 2708) translated as "appoint", "lawgiver", "note" & "set".
The Greek words from which our English word "decree" is translated are DOGMA (Strong's #1378) and KRINO (Strong's # 2919)
I have listed below every reference which I have found to GOD'S DECREES. I believe all of God's decrees are found in one of three categories:
I.DECREES BY WHICH GOD EXERCISES DOMINION IN THE NATURAL WORLD.
(Setting limits and bounds on physical elements, i.e NATURAL LAWS.)
Job 26:10 "bound" Prov.8:27 "set" Jer. 5:24"appointed"
28:26 "decree" 8:29 "decree" 31:35 "ordinance"
38:10 "decreed" 8:29 "appointed" 31:36 "ordinances"
38:33 "ordinance" Jer. 5:22 "decree"
II.DECREES BY WHICH GOD EXERCISES DOMINION OVER THE LIVES OF MORAL CREATURES. (Setting time limits.)
(Setting time limits.) a.Limiting the time of man's life on earth, by appointing the time of death. See Job 14:5 "bounds"
b.Limiting the time of man's death in the grave, by appointing the times of resurrection. See Job 14:12-14 "set time".
c.Removing all time limitations from the effects of moral choices. See Ps.105:10 "law" (God had made an everlasting, covenant with Abraham BEFORE HE EVER RESPONDED TO GOD. But the EXTENT TO WHICH HE WOULD BE BLESSED WAS BASED ON HIS OBEDIENCE TO GOD. See Gen.22:16-18 and 26:5 "...because thou hast obeyed my voice." So too all time limitations have been removed from the consequences of all other moral choices and the extent to which moral creatures will be blessed or cursed is based on the extent of their obedience or disobedience to God.
-everlasting blessing on the justified (see I Cor.15:50-58; I Thess.4:13-18; and Rev.20:4..the extent of their blessing see I Cor.3:10-14)
-everlasting cursing of the wicked (see II Thess.1:8,9;Rev.20:10,14,15 as to the extent of their cursing see Rev.20:13 "they were judged every man according to their works.")
III.DECREES BY WHICH GOD EXERCISES HIS DOMINION IN ALL THE AFFAIRS OF MEN. (By predetermining specific consequences to follow specific choices.) It is very evident that these kinds of decrees are the most common. In the list below I have noted beside each text the English word which translates the Hebrew words CHOQ, CHAQQAH or CHAQAQ. Also, I have placed in (brackets) the verses in the immediate context which describe the consequences of obedience or disobedience to God.
(By predetermining specific consequences to follow specific choices.) It is very evident that these kinds of decrees are the most common. In the list below I have noted beside each text the English word which translates the Hebrew words CHOQ, CHAQQAH or CHAQAQ. Also, I have placed in (brackets) the verses in the immediate context which describe the consequences of obedience or disobedience to God. Gen.26:5 (3,4) statute
Ex.12:14,17,24,43 ordinance
15:25,(26) statute
Ex.18:16 "
18:20 ordinance
27:21 statute
Ex.28:43 "
29:9,28 "
30:21 "
Lev.3:17 "
7:36 "
Lev.10:(9)11 "
Lev.10:13,14 due
16:29,31,34 statute
17:7 (8,9) "
18:4 (5) ordinance
18:4 (5) ordinance 18:26 (28) statute
19:19,37 "
20:8,(22) "
23:14,21,31,41 "
24:3,9,9 "
25:(18) "
Lev.26:3,15,43,46 (4-46)statute
Num.9:12,14,14 ordinance
10:8 "
15:15,15 "
18:8 "
:23 statute
19:2 ordinance
:10,21 statute
27:11 "
30:16 "
31:21 ordinance
35:29 statute
Deut.4:(1)5,(6,8)14(40)45
5:1,31 (33) "
6:1(2)17,20,(24) (18) "
7:11 (12-15) "
8:11 (19,20) "
10:(13) "
11:1,32 (13-17)"
12:1 "
16:(12) "
17:19 (20) "
26:16,17 (18,19) "
27:10 (ch.27&28) "
28:(15,45) "
30:10,(16) (9) "
Josh.24:25 (20) "
II Sam.22:23 (25) "
I Kng.2:(3) "
3:(3)14 "
6:(12) "
I Kng.8:58,61 "
9:6 (7-9) "
11:(11)33,34,38 (31-39)
II Kng.17:8,13,15(18)19(20),34
I Chron.16:(17) law
22:(13) statute
29:19 "
II Chron.7:17,19 (18,20-22)
19:(10) "
33:8 (11) "
34:31
35:25 ordinance
Ezra 7:10,11 statute
Neh. 1:7 (8,9) "
9:13,14 "
10:29 "
Ps. 2:7 (8-12) decree
18:22(24) statute
50:16 (22,23)statute
81:4 (7-12) "
89:31 (32) "
105:10 law
119:5(8)12,16,23,26,33,48,
54,64,68,71(80),83,
112,117(118),124,135,
145(155),171
147:19
Is. 10:(22) decree
30:8 (ch.30-32) note
33:22 lawgiver
Jer.44:10,23 (11-14) statute
Ezek.5:6,6,7 (8-17) "
Ezek.11:12(20) statute
18:(9,17,19,21)"
20:(11,13,16,19,21,24,25)
33:(15) "
36:27 "
37:24 (25-28) "
43:11,11,18 (27) ordinance
44:24 statute
46:14 ordinance
Dan. 4:24 (27,37) decree
Amos 2:(4) commandment
Zech. 1:(6) statutes
Mal. 3:(7) ordinances
4:4 (5,6) statutes
The Greek words from which our English word "decree" is translated are DOGMA (Strong's #1378) and KRINO (Strong's # 2919)
The first is only used twice of "ordinances" that God has made. Both of these have to do not with choices or actions of men which God determined beforehand, but rather with the consequences of such which God determined beforehand.
The first is only used twice of "ordinances" that God has made. Both of these have to do not with choices or actions of men which God determined beforehand, but rather with the consequences of such which God determined beforehand.
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances <1378>; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances <1378> that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
The second is used 35 times translated by the words"judge", "condemn" and "damn". Every time it is used of an action of God it has to do NOT with God determining actions or choices of men but rather with the divine determination of consequences for the choices which men have made and the actions which they have performed.
Mt 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge <2919>, ye shall be judged <2919>: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Lu 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge <2919> thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn <2919> the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is <2919> not condemned <2919>: but he that believeth not is condemned <2919> already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge <2919>: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Joh 8:15 Ye judge <2919> after the flesh; I judge <2919> no man.
Joh 8:16 And yet if I judge <2919>, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
Joh 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge <2919> of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
Joh 8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth <2919>.
Joh 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge <2919> him not: for I came not to judge <2919> the world, but to save the world.
Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth <2919> him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge <2919> him in the last day.
Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged <2919>.
Ac 7:7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will <2919> I judge <2919>, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
Ac 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge <2919> the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Ro 2:16 In the day when God shall judge <2919> the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Ro 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged <2919>.
Ro 3:6 God forbid: for then how shall <2919> God judge <2919> the world?
Ro 3:7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am <2919> I also judged <2919> as a sinner?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth <2919>. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned <2919> who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge <2919> the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge <2919> his people.
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge <2919>.
Jas 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged <2919> by the law of liberty.
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth <2919> according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth <2919> righteously:
1Pe 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge <2919> the quick and the dead.
Re 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou <2919> not judge <2919> and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Re 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged <2919>, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Re 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged <2919> thus.
Re 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth <2919> her.
Re 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged <2919> you on her.
Re 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged <2919> the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
Re 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge <2919> and make war.
Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged <2919> out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
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