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T7 reasoning: Order of decrees

Reasoning steps: Order of decrees

Verdicts: T7 · Order of decrees. Method: conventions, scoring and proximity eras. Scripture is the primary measure; fathers are weighed by era (Era I to c. 150 = 1.0, II = 0.8, III = 0.6, IV = 0.4).

T07.1: Order of decrees

Step T07.1.1: Scripture

Rom 9:11–23 and Eph 1:4 speak of election before the foundation of the world; no text orders the decrees logically.

Step T07.1.2: Patristic evidence

No father before 750 addresses the logical order of the decrees.

Step T07.1.3: Weighing decision

Not a patristic question; the debate is 16th–17th century. Verdict: not addressed before 750.

  • Confidence: High.

Step T07.1.4: Source-proximity weighing

  • Scripture (benchmark): Scripture does not order the decrees. (Scripture confidence: low)
  • Assessment: Not scored on either measure.

T07.2: Is reprobation an active decree, or a passing-by of sinners?

Step T07.2.1: Scripture

Rom 9:18–22 (‘vessels of wrath prepared for destruction’); 1 Pet 2:8; contrast 1 Tim 2:4; Ezek 33:11.

Step T07.2.2: Patristic evidence

Augustine (Era III, Enchiridion 100) speaks of those ‘predestined to eternal life’ and, elsewhere, to punishment justly; the Council of Orange (529) anathematises any who hold ’that some are predestined to evil by divine power’. Sources: augustine-t07-s1.

Step T07.2.3: Weighing decision

Era III allows a just predestination to punishment for sin but rejects predestination to evil. Verdict: preterition with condemnation for sin fits Era III; a decree causing sin is excluded.

  • Confidence: Medium.

Step T07.2.4: Source-proximity weighing

  • Scripture (benchmark): Rom 9:22 ‘prepared for destruction’ (passive, agent unnamed). (Scripture confidence: medium)
  • Assessment: All nine classic positions deny that God causes sin; they differ on how unconditional reprobation is.

Post-750 development by tradition

Catholic

See the note below.

  • T07.1 (fathers n/a/4; Scripture n/a/4): No confessional position (WCF and Dort are compatible with both).
  • T07.2 (fathers n/a; Scripture n/a): Not assessed: no classic Catholic magisterial text on reprobation was checked.

Orthodox

See the note below.

  • T07.1 (fathers n/a/4; Scripture n/a/4): No confessional position (WCF and Dort are compatible with both).
  • T07.2 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Conditional on foreseen sin.

Oriental Orthodox

See the note below.

  • T07.1 (fathers n/a/4; Scripture n/a/4): No confessional position (WCF and Dort are compatible with both).
  • T07.2 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Official website of Pope Shenouda III, ‘The Problem of Election or Rejection – Response to the Protestants’ (1993 lecture, site summary): ‘God’s salvation is offered to all people, but it is the human being who freely chooses the path of life or destruction’ (verified; the summary is the site’s, the lecture is audio)

Lutheran

See the note below.

  • T07.1 (fathers n/a/4; Scripture n/a/4): No confessional position (WCF and Dort are compatible with both).
  • T07.2 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): FC SD XI: foreknowledge ’extends over all creatures, good and bad’, but election is ‘a cause’ only of the salvation of the elect; God ‘does not create and effect [or work] evil’ (verified).

Anglican

See the note below.

  • T07.1 (fathers n/a/4; Scripture n/a/4): No confessional position (WCF and Dort are compatible with both).
  • T07.2 (fathers 3/4; Scripture 3/4): .

Presbyterian

See the note below.

  • T07.1 (fathers n/a/4; Scripture n/a/4): No confessional position (WCF and Dort are compatible with both).
  • T07.2 (fathers 3/4; Scripture 3/4): WCF III.3, III.7: ‘pass by … to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin’ (verified).

Reformed Baptist

See the note below.

  • T07.1 (fathers n/a/4; Scripture n/a/4): No confessional position (WCF and Dort are compatible with both).
  • T07.2 (fathers 3/4; Scripture 3/4): 1689 3.3: ‘others being left to act in their sin’ (verified).

General Baptist

See the note below.

  • T07.1 (fathers n/a/4; Scripture n/a/4): No confessional position (WCF and Dort are compatible with both).
  • T07.2 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Orthodox Creed (1679), preface, rejects ‘irrespective Reprobation of particular Persons, before they have done either Good, or Evil’; art. X (Of Preterition, or Reprobation): ‘if any do perish, their destruction is of themselves’ (verified)

Anabaptist

See the note below.

  • T07.1 (fathers n/a/4; Scripture n/a/4): No confessional position (WCF and Dort are compatible with both).
  • T07.2 (fathers n/a; Scripture n/a): Not assessed: no source on election or reprobation was checked for this tradition.