Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Eternal Decrees of God: Questions and Answers

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the correct sequence for studying the doctrine of God?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, many people incorrectly jump from the doctrine of God's nature and character directly to the doctrine of creation. However, he argues that before we consider creation, we must first understand "the character of all God's activities" - what he calls "the eternal decrees of God." These are "the things which God determined and decided and ordained and decreed before he had done anything at all." He explains that God's methods of working and the principles underlying all His works must be understood before examining what He has specifically done.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the doctrine of eternal decrees is important to study despite its difficulty?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives several reasons for studying this difficult doctrine: 1. It is revealed in the Bible, so it's meant for our consideration and belief 2. It reveals fresh aspects of God's glory and promotes proper worship 3. It saves us from many theological errors that arise from failing to understand God's decrees 4. It provides tremendous comfort and consolation "to know that behind me tonight, little creature, as I am passing through this world of time, are the eternal decrees of God himself."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define an "antinomy" and why is this concept important for understanding God's decrees?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines an antinomy as "a position in which you are given two truths which you yourself cannot reconcile." He explains that the Bible contains "certain final antinomies" - clear truths that human minds cannot fully reconcile. When approaching the doctrine of God's decrees, we must be willing to accept these apparent contradictions with humility and faith, not demanding complete understanding. As he states, "Faith is a readiness to submit yourself to the biblical limits" and "Faith is a readiness not to ask questions about things which are not revealed in the scripture."

What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' first proposition about God's eternal decrees?

His first proposition is that "God has from eternity had an unchangeable plan with reference to his creatures." He explains that God never does anything haphazardly or with uncertainty. God never has "an afterthought" since He is omniscient. Everything God has done is "according to his own eternal plan, and it is fixed, certain, unchangeable and absolute." This includes God's plan about creation, salvation, and the ultimate destiny of all things.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain God's sovereignty over sinful actions?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that even sinful actions fall under God's eternal decree, though this requires careful understanding. He emphasizes that "God does not cause evil in any sense or in any degree." Rather, "He doesn't approve of evil, but he permits the wicked agents to perform it and then overrules it for his own wise and holy end."

He uses biblical examples like Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery (Genesis 45:8, 50:20) and the crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28) to show that while people act sinfully of their own volition, God has incorporated even these sinful actions into His sovereign plan. As he puts it, God "decrees that sin is to be permitted" and "puts that sin into a channel and determines its direction and overrules it all to bring his own great ends to pass."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the unconditional nature of God's decrees?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that "all the decrees of God are unconditional and sovereign," meaning they "are not dependent in any sense on the actions of men." They aren't determined by what God foresees men will do but depend solely on "God's own will and God's own purpose."

He clarifies that this doesn't eliminate cause and effect in life, but rather that God has "decreed that he should work even through cause and effect." The doctrine asserts that "the end which he has in view shall certainly and infallibly be brought to pass, and that nothing can hinder it or frustrate it." He cites Romans 9:11 about Jacob and Esau to show that God's choice was made "before they were ever born, before they were ever conceived," not based on anything they would do.

How should Christians approach the question of why God decreed to permit sin?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges this as an "insoluble problem" for humans with "finite and sinful minds." He honestly states, "Why did God decree to permit sin? And there's only one answer to the question - we don't know." However, he affirms two certainties: "God is never the cause of sin" (citing Habakkuk 1:13 and James 1:13) and "The purpose of God is in all things perfectly consistent with the nature and mode of action of his creatures."

He admits he cannot reconcile how God's eternal decrees can coexist with human free agency, yet affirms both are taught in Scripture. He concludes that "while we are in this world of time, it's beyond us" and that the ultimate understanding will come only when believers "arrive in glory."