Our church adopted the LBC 1689 as an “auxiliary” confession, with the statement that we are in “substantial agreement” with it. Our official confession is a slightly modified version of the New Hampton Confession of 1833. This works well for us. When visitors want to know about our doctrinal statement, we hand them our official statement, which is easily manageable for most believers. If they want to get into greater detail, we give them a copy of the LBC 1689.
From all eternity God decreed everything that occurs, without reference to anything outside himself.1 He did this by the perfectly wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably. Yet God did this in such a way that he is neither the author of sin nor has fellowship with any in their sin.2 This decree does not violate the will of the creature or take away the free working or contingency of second causes. On the contrary, these are established by God’s decree.3 In this decree God’s wisdom is displayed in directing all things, and his power and faithfulness are demonstrated in accomplishing his decree.4
1 Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 9:15, 18. 2 James 1:13; 1 John 1:5. 3 Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11. 4 Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 1:3–5.
–––-
I subscribe to this! How about you, David R. Brumbelow?
From all eternity God decreed everything that occurs, without reference to anything outside himself.1 He did this by the perfectly wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably. Yet God did this in such a way that he is neither the author of sin nor has fellowship with any in their sin.2 This decree does not violate the will of the creature or take away the free working or contingency of second causes. On the contrary, these are established by God’s decree.3 In this decree God’s wisdom is displayed in directing all things, and his power and faithfulness are demonstrated in accomplishing his decree.4
1 Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 9:15, 18. 2 James 1:13; 1 John 1:5. 3 Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11. 4 Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 1:3–5.
–––-
I subscribe to this! How about you, David R. Brumbelow?
Yes, true Calvinism affirms “free will” (properly understood). I grow more uneasy lately about a form of “Calvinism” that is really nothing more than hard determinism—even occasionally using that term to describe their position.
Discussion
NewGood article thanks for
Good article thanks for posting it. Our church adheres to the 1689 but they don’t require full agreement which is a good thing for me!
NewAuxiliary Confession
Our church adopted the LBC 1689 as an “auxiliary” confession, with the statement that we are in “substantial agreement” with it. Our official confession is a slightly modified version of the New Hampton Confession of 1833. This works well for us. When visitors want to know about our doctrinal statement, we hand them our official statement, which is easily manageable for most believers. If they want to get into greater detail, we give them a copy of the LBC 1689.
G. N. Barkman
NewNice statement on God's Decree
https://founders.org/1689-confession/chapter-3-gods-decree/
1 Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 9:15, 18. 2 James 1:13; 1 John 1:5. 3 Acts 4:27-28; John 19:11. 4 Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 1:3–5.
–––-
I subscribe to this! How about you, David R. Brumbelow?
Twitter
Jim's Doctrinal Statement
NewJim wrote: