C. God and His World (WCF 2-5; WLC 7-19; WSC 4-11)

Question 1

What is God (Q4)?

Answer 1

• God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth

Question 2

Briefly explain and defend (including Scripture proofs) the doctrine of the Trinity.

Answer 2

There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matt 3 - Baptism, Matt 28:19 - Great Commission); and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory (Deut 6 - Shema, John 1 - Deity of Jesus, Acts 5 - Lie to HS/God].

Question 3

What are the attributes of God? (Be prepared to offer Scripture proofs.)

Answer 3

• There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty (WCF II:1)

Exodus 34:6, Psalm 139

Question 4

What are the communicable attributes?

Answer 4

Spirituality, Invisibility, Knowledge (or Omniscience), Wisdom, Truthfulness, Goodness, Love, Mercy, Holiness, Peace, Righteousness, Jealousy, Wrath, Will, Freedom, Omnipotence, Perfection, Blessedness, Beauty, Glory

Question 5

What are the incommunicable attributes?

Answer 5

Independence, Unchangeableness, Eternity, Omnipresence, Unity

Question 6

What are the decrees of God (Q7)?

Answer 6

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. (Isaiah 14 - As I have planned so it shall be)

Question 7

What are the differences between infralapsarian, supralapsarian, and Amyraldian views of God’s decrees? (The order of God’s decrees)

Answer 7

Supralapsarianism

1. Elect some, reprobate rest
2. Create
3. Permit Fall
4. Provide salvation for elect
5. Call elect to salvation

Infralapsarianism

1. Create
2. Permit Fall
3. Elect some, pass over the rest
4. Provide salvation for elect
5. Call elect to salvation

Amyraldism

1. Create
2. Permit Fall
3. Provide salvation sufficient for all
4. Elect some, pass over rest
5. Call elect to salvation

Arminianism

1. Create
2. Permit Fall
3. Provide salvation for all
4. Call all to salvation
5. Elect those who believe

Question 8

How does God execute His decrees (Q8)?

Answer 8

God executes His decrees in the works of creation and providence (Rev 4 - Worthy is God for his creation and works)

Question 9

What is God’s work of creation (Q9)?

Answer 9

The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of His power, in the space of six days, and all very good

Question 10

Briefly discuss the length of the days of creation.

Answer 10

• In six days (WCF)- assumed for the original readers and Westminster Divines (based on seven day week)
• The purpose of the Genesis narrative: God’s creation, order, purpose
• “The Bible doesn’t give the slightest indication of when Creation occurred” (Sproul, 100)
- Ps. 104 - A non-day account of creation, Ex 31 - Reaffirmation of six day creation

Question 11

Evaluate biblically the theory of evolution.

Answer 11

• The Bible never mentions or assumes it
• It does not seem to fit the Biblical narrative, but is not excluded.
- The Bible rules out human beings coming from evolution

Question 12

What is God’s works of providence (Q11)?

Answer 12

• God’s works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions

Question 13

What is a miracle?

Answer 13

• A miracle is a less common kind of God’s activity in which He arouses people’s awe and bear witness to Himself (Grudem/Frame)
• An action performed against the laws of nature (God circumventing the very laws He put into place) done to certify revelation as divine

Question 14

Do miracles occur today? Explain.

Answer 14

Yes and no. Yes, God is still working supernaturally and constantly in the lives of his people. No, in the sense that the signs given to the apostles like miraculous healings and such no longer seem to be in operation today.

Question 15

Is God responsible for sin?

Answer 15

No
• Did He decree it? Yes
• Did He permit it? Yes
• Who is the ultimate cause of all things? God
• What is theodicy? God ordained and permitted it, but is not its author or approver. Sin is the free act of a creature. (WCF 3.1, 5.4)

Question 16

If God is good and all-powerful, explain AIDS, deformed babies, natural disasters.

Answer 16

• Fallenness of our world
  • Judgment: Suffering is intrinsically related to God’s judgment on this sinful, fallen world
  • Repentance: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Jesus)
  • Redemption: God’s megaphone (Lewis), for the believer it builds up our character and faith
  • Glory: To show from the evils of this world the good and glorious nature of God (the healing of the blind man)

Question 17

Discuss the biblical teaching regarding predestination, election, and reprobation.

Answer 17

God does it. He predestines all things from before time began and this predestining is based on his will and decision, not on what he forsees. He elects the saints to eternal life with him and he reprobates others to eternal punishment in just recompense for their rebellion. WCF 3 (Eph 1 - Elected in Christ, 1 Peter 2 - destined to disobey)

Question 18

Distinguish the Reformed and Arminian understandings of these doctrines. (predestination, election, and reprobation)

Answer 18

Reformed
Unconditional Election
Reprobation

Arminian
Conditional Election (God’s choice is based on a foreseen faith)
God is not active in reprobation

Question 19

Are these doctrines (Decree) compatible with belief in real human choice and responsibility?

Answer 19

• Yes. God does not do “violence … to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away….” (WCF III:!)
• Both God and man have certain freedoms defined by their persons. Our freedom, however, is limited. We are free to sin, but not free (save by God’s grace) to believe, love and obey. (Gen 50, Acts 2 - We meant it for evil, God for good)

Question 20

What should be some of the practical results of believing the doctrine of election?

Answer 20

• So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel (last part of WCF III:VIII)

Question 21

Is there a real, personal devil? Explain from Scripture.

Answer 21

Yes, He is presented as being real (see Job 1-2; Matthew 4; 1 Peter 5:8)