Quick Overview of Lapsarianism
written by SEA member Roy Ingle
In Calvinism, there are three major views regarding the divine viewpoint of the atonement of Christ and the purpose of the atonement. They describe this viewpoint by ordering a series of decrees that God supposedly made at the beginning of creation. I will present all three views below.
Supralapsarianism
1. The decree to save (elect) some and reprobate others.
2. The decree to create both the elect and the reprobate.
3. The decree to permit the fall of both the elect and the reprobate.
4. The decree to provide salvation only for the elect.
Infralapsarianism
1. The decree to create human beings.
2. The decree to permit the fall.
3. The decree to elect some and reprobate others.
4. The decree to provide salvation only for the elect.
Sublapsarianism
1. The decree to create human beings.
2. The decree to permit the fall.
3. The decree to provide salvation sufficient for all.
4. The decree to save some and reprobate others.
Which ever view one holds, to be a consistent Calvinist one must hold to particular redemption or limited atonement. To hold to the other major points of Calvinism while rejecting limited atonement would be based simply on a personal decision to do so and would not be congruent with the other points.
If you are wondering, most Arminians would say we are somewhat comfortable with Sublapsarianism but we would disagree with point 4 only in that we believe God decreed the giving of His Son for all but those who reject Christ and His gospel to worship false gods (Romans 1:18-32). Their rejection of the gospel results in their condemnation (John 3:18) and not simply by God’s decree. We would argue that God decreed to save all who repent of their sins and place their saving faith in Christ Jesus. The reprobate would be thus so because of their own sinfulness and rejection of Christ rather than a decree.
For the original post with comments, go to: http://arminiantoday.com/2013/01/16/quick-overview-of-lapsarianism/
