The
infralapsarian and supralapsarian debate, a
significant theological discussion
within the framework of Reformed theology, is a
complex and intellectually
stimulating conundrum. It specifically concerns the
logical order of God's
decrees in relation to the fall of humanity.
Infralapsarians, also known as
sublapsarians, argue that God's decree of election
and reprobation occurred
subsequent to the fall, while supralapsarians, also
known as supralapsarians,
posit that these decrees preceded the fall. This
debate, with its implications
for understanding God's sovereignty, human
responsibility, and the nature of
the fall itself, has been a subject of intense
debate among scholars and
theologians for centuries, providing a rich
intellectual challenge and
connecting us to a tradition of deep theological
inquiry.
Infralapsarianism:
Infralapsarianism,
a
theological position within the Reformed tradition,
posits that God's decree
of election and reprobation occurred subsequent to
the fall. This view holds
that God first decreed to create the world and to
permit the, and then in response
to the fall, He determined to elect some to
salvation and to leave others in
their sin.
Scriptural
support
for this position can be found in passages that
suggest a temporal
sequence in God's decrees. For instance, Romans
9:22-23 states, “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,
in order to make known the
riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he
has prepared beforehand for.”
This passage suggests a sequence of events, with God
first preparing vessels of
wrath for destruction (a response to the fall) and
then preparing vessels of
mercy.
Additionally,
1
Peter 1:20 states, “He was foreknown before the
foundation of the world but
was made manifest in the last times for the sake of
you.” This verse indicates
that Christ was foreknown before the world's
creation, implying that God's plan
of salvation was formulated in response to the fall.
In
summary, infralapsarianism argues that God's decrees
of election and
reprobation were a response to the fall, a view
supported by a temporal reading
of certain biblical passages.
Supralapsarianism:
Supralapsarianism,
another
theological position within the Reformed tradition,
argues that God's
decree of election and reprobation preceded the
fall. This view holds that God
first determined to elect some to salvation and to
reprobate others, and then
He decreed to create the world and to permit the
fall as a means to these ends.
Scriptural
support
for this position can be found in passages that
suggest a logical,
rather than temporal, sequence in God's decrees. For
instance, Ephesians 1:4
states, “He chose us in him before the foundation of
the world, that we should
be holy and blameless before him.” This verse
suggests that God's choice of the
elect occurred before the world's creation, implying
a supralapsarian order of
decrees.
Additionally,
Romans
9:11-13 states, “Though they were not yet born and
had done nothing
either good or bad—so that God's purpose of election
might continue, not
because of works but because of him who calls— she
was told, 'The older will
serve the younger.' As it is written, 'Jacob I
loved, but Esau I hated.'” This
passage suggests that God's election of Jacob and
reprobation of Esau occurred
before their births, implying a supralapsarian order
of decrees.
In
summary, supralapsarianism argues that God's decrees
of election and
reprobation were logically before the fall, a view
supported by a logical
reading of certain biblical passages.
Adherents
of
infralapsarianism:
1.John
Calvin
(1509-1564): Although his writings do not explicitly
address the
infralapsarian-supralapsarian debate, many scholars
interpret his views as
leaning towards infralapsarianism.
2.Theodore
Beza
(1519-1605): A student of Calvin and a prominent
theologian in his own right,
Beza is often considered an infralapsarian.
3.Francis
Turretin
(1623-1687): A Swiss-Italian Reformed theologian,
Turretin is known
for his infralapsarian views, which he articulated
in his influential work,
"Institutes of Elenctic Theology."
4.Herman
Witsius
(1636-1708): A Dutch theologian, Witsius is another
notable infralapsarian
known for his work "The Economy of the Covenants
Between God and
Man."
5.Charles
Hodge
(1797-1878): An American Presbyterian theologian,
Hodge is often cited as an
infralapsarian, particularly for his views on the
order of God's decrees.
These
theologians represent a range of perspectives within
the Reformed tradition,
all of whom contributed significantly to the
development of infralapsarian
thought.
Ahherentsof
supralapsarianism:
1.Jerome
Zanchius
(1516-1590): An Italian-born Reformed theologian,
Zanchius is often considered
a supralapsarian.
2.William
Perkins
(1558-1602): An English clergyman and theologian,
Perkins is known for his
supralapsarian views, which he articulated in his
work "A Golden
Chain."
3.Franciscus
Gomarus
(1563-1641): A Dutch theologian and opponent of
Arminius, Gomarus is
another notable supralapsarian.
4.Johannes
Cocceius
(1603-1669): A Dutch theologian, Cocceius is known
for his
supralapsarian views, which he articulated in his
work "Summa
Theologiae."
These
theologians represent a range of perspectives within
the Reformed tradition,
all of whom contributed significantly to the
development of supralapsarian
thought.
Are
the Reformed Confessions, such as the Belgic and
Westminster Confessions,
infralapsarian or supralapsarian?
The
Reformed Confessions, such as the Belgic and
Westminster Confessions, are
generally considered to be infralapsarian in their
understanding of the decrees
of God. Infralapsarianism, derived from the Latin
phrase “infralapsarian,”
meaning “below the fall,” holds that the order of
God's decrees is as follows:
1.God
decrees to
create the world and humanity.
2.God
decrees to
permit the fall of humanity into sin.
3.God
decrees to
elect some individuals to salvation and pass over
others, leaving them in their
fallen state.
4.God
decrees to
provide salvation through the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ.
5.God
decrees to
apply salvation to the elect through the work of the
Holy Spirit.
Supralapsarianism,
on
the other hand, holds that the order of God's
decrees is as follows:
1.God
decrees to
elect some individuals to salvation and pass over
others.
2.God
decrees to
create the world and humanity.
3.God
decrees to
permit the fall of humanity into sin.
4.God
decrees to
provide salvation through the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ.
5.God
decrees to
apply salvation to the elect through the work of the
Holy Spirit.
The
distinction between infralapsarianism and
supralapsarianism lies in the order
of God's decrees regarding election and the fall.
While both views affirm God's
sovereignty in salvation, they differ in their
understanding of the logical
order of God's decrees.
Conclusion:
The
infralapsarian and supralapsarian debate, while
historically significant in
Reformed theological circles, has seen a decline in
prominence in contemporary
theological discourse. This shift reflects broader
changes in theological
priorities and methodologies, with many theologians
today focusing on other
areas of inquiry, such as the nature of God,
Christology, and theodicy.
However, the debate remains relevant as it touches
on fundamental questions
about the nature of God's sovereignty and human
responsibility and how these
relate to the problem of evil. Understanding these
positions can provide
insights into how different theological traditions
approach these complex
issues and can inform broader discussions about the
nature of God and theodicy.
The
above study was Groked and perfected with Grammarly
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“Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
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2:15)
Mr.
Kettler is a respected author who has previously
published articles in the Chalcedon Report and Contra
Mundum. He and his wife, Marea, are active
Westminster, CO, RPCNA Church
members. Mr. Kettler's extensive work includes 18
books defending the Reformed
Faith, which are available for order online at
Amazon.