Metadata
Title
Gilbert Tennent sermons 11, "De decreto" (On God's Decree), 1743 or 1744
Date
1743/1757
Digital Identifier
PHS.TennentSermons011
Description
Gilbert Tennent (1703-1764) was an Irish-American Presbyterian clergyman, and one of the leaders of the Great Awakening.
In this sermon, which Tennent first delivered in 1743 or 1744 and again in 1747, Tennent discusses the theme of Ephesians 1:11, "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will," and Proverbs 19:21, "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand."
In this sermon, which Tennent first delivered in 1743 or 1744 and again in 1747, Tennent discusses the theme of Ephesians 1:11, "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will," and Proverbs 19:21, "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand."
Subject
Place
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Congregation
Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA
Holding Institution
Presbyterian Historical Society
Extent
25 pages
Format (Digital)
tiff
Rights
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Language
eng
Type
Text
Abstract
De decreto (On God's decree) takes another look at predestination, drawing from discussions and decisions of the Westminster Assembly of Divines (1643-1653).
What are God's decrees but his plans and purposes of predestination? These plans were devised for all things before the creation of the world and according to God's will and pleasure. God is perfect and therefore immutable in sovereignty and foreknowledge-- any change of intention or dissatisfaction would mar perfection and make him less than God.
Decrees are of two kinds: those that affect all of creation and events, and those that affect men and angels. The sermon presents various objections and Rev. Tennent's answers, such as the purpose of predestination for the promotion of God's glory tho the exact route to that glory can be variable as man is variable. God may permit sin, but man is born into it, or can fall into it in various ways. Contradiction in a fixed purpose yet freedom in the agent? Our understanding is imperfect and we must admit it. We see not as God sees. Man should work for God's glory through how he conducts his life.
What are God's decrees but his plans and purposes of predestination? These plans were devised for all things before the creation of the world and according to God's will and pleasure. God is perfect and therefore immutable in sovereignty and foreknowledge-- any change of intention or dissatisfaction would mar perfection and make him less than God.
Decrees are of two kinds: those that affect all of creation and events, and those that affect men and angels. The sermon presents various objections and Rev. Tennent's answers, such as the purpose of predestination for the promotion of God's glory tho the exact route to that glory can be variable as man is variable. God may permit sin, but man is born into it, or can fall into it in various ways. Contradiction in a fixed purpose yet freedom in the agent? Our understanding is imperfect and we must admit it. We see not as God sees. Man should work for God's glory through how he conducts his life.
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