Blogging through and answering the questions from G. I. Williamson’s The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes for personal review and comprehension.

WCF. III. Of God’s Eternal Decree – 3-5.

1. Why is the doctrine of predestination so seldom acknowledged even though it is so clearly taught in Scripture?

The doctrine of predestination is so seldom acknowledged because of the perversity of man. Scripture clearly teaches this doctrine, but it is man who refuses to hear God’s word by faith (and with humility). “And the chief cause of man’s constant misreading of Scripture regarding this matter is his perennial desire to have a better opinion of himself than is warranted” (33).

2. What does sinful man deserve?

Sinful man deserves wrath and damnation.

3. What classic example in Scripture proves this doctrine [doctrine of predestination]?

The classic example is of Jacob and Esau – Romans 9:11-15 “For the children [Rebecca’s children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

4. How much did they have “in common” to begin with? At the “end”?

According to their nature, they being twins, to begin they had everything in common. In the end, however, they were totally different – “Jacob was chosen to eternal life, and Esau was passed by and left to the punishment he deserved” (33).

5. How does this case prove that it was God (alone) who made them differ?

This case proves that it was God alone who made them differ because Romans 9:18 says, “He [God] hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.”

6. What Scripture asserts that God has “the right” to do this?

God is the Creator, thus, he has a right over his creation, as Romans 9:21 teaches – “Hath not the potter [God] power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?.” Commenting on this Williamson says, “God has a right to give damnation to Esau, who deserves damnation, and eternal life to Jacob, who also deserves damnation” (33).

7. What is meant by saying that God’s predestination is not “conditional”?

Williamson says, “But what is of cardinal importance is to recognize that God’s sovereign determination of the destinies of the souls of men is not conditional. There is no difference between Jacob and Esau for the sake of which God chose the one and rejected the other” (33). God’s predestination of man is wholly of grace. God’s predestination of man is not conditioned by the works of man.

8. If man could fulfill some condition upon which basis God would then elect him, what teachings of Scripture would be denied?

If man could fulfill some condition upon which basis God would then elect him, it would deny what Scripture teaches in Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – and in Romans 11:6 – “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

9. Why has God chosen the ones he has chosen?

God has chosen the ones he has chosen because of grace, that is, because of pure, unmerited favor. Ephesians 2:5-6 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Williamson says, “Scripture informs us that divine election is conditioned upon not something in the creature but rather something in God. It is the good pleasure, the delight of God, which is the basis of Election” (34). See Luke 10:21 – “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

10. Why has God chosen some and passed others by?

Why did God do this? This God has done for his own glory. “God will bring glory to himself, or rather will manifest his glory. He will display the perfection of his holiness by wrath against sin in the destruction of the wicked and he will display the perfection of his mercy and love in saving the elect” (34). If what we stated earlier is true, that “Sinful man deserves wrath and damnation,” then it is obvious that both the perfection of God’s holy justice and the perfection of God’s merciful grace manifest his glory.