As you may have noticed from a prior post, the Daily Confession web site provides spiritual vitamins or bite-size nuggets of Reformed creeds and confessions. The link is in the right margin under links and is also provided here in the text – Click here: Daily Confession .
Here is the Daily Confession for today –
Canons of Dordt, week 8
February 20, 2009
The First Head of Doctrine: Divine Election and Reprobation
Article 14: Teaching Election Properly
“Just as, by God’s wise plan, this teaching concerning divine election has been proclaimed through the prophets, Christ himself, and the apostles, in Old and New Testament times, and has subsequently been committed to writing in the Holy Scriptures, so also today in God’s church, for which it was specifically intended, this teaching must be set forth — with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and holy manner, at the appropriate time and place, without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High. This must be done for the glory of God’s most holy name, and for the lively comfort of his people.”
Whether it is deserved or not, Calvinists seem to have the reputation of being cold (”the frozen chosen”) and stern: “We are the elect, and you are not!”.
The Canons of Dordt wisely urge us to teach election properly in several ways:
1. “With a spirit of discretion” I am reminded of Matthew 7:6: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
2. “In a godly and holy manner” and “for the glory of God’s most holy name“. If we teach election as part of God’s overall sovereignty, as I believe Calvin did, rather than just focusing on election, then our listeners may appreciate the fact that God accomplishes all of His purpose. His will is truly done! Our listeners may be pleased about it and become more sympathetic later about the teaching of election which is only a part of the teaching of God’s sovereignty.
For example, at the top of this page, you will see a tag labeled “About God”, you will read about “Total Perfect Triumph” and Jeremiah 9:23-24.
“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9: 23-24.
God has made a perfect plan. God perfectly executes his plan. God delights in lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, and God perfectly exercises them. We exult in total perfect triumph in Christ.
Total Perfect Triumph teaches about God in a holy manner. It is more likely to be received by the listeners as being “for the glory of God’s most holy name”. Such a teaching may prepare the listeners for later being taught about election.
3. “for the lively comfort of his people“. If we focus on the “P” in “TULIP” which is “Perseverance of the Saints” also known as “Preservation of the Saints”, then that focus is likely to be “for the lively comfort of his people”.
Note how the Heidelberg Catechism starts!
What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.” Heidelberg Catechism, Question 1
The First Head of Doctrine: Divine Election and Reprobation
Article 14: Teaching Election Properly
“Just as, by God’s wise plan, this teaching concerning divine election has been proclaimed through the prophets, Christ himself, and the apostles, in Old and New Testament times, and has subsequently been committed to writing in the Holy Scriptures, so also today in God’s church, for which it was specifically intended, this teaching must be set forth — with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and holy manner, at the appropriate time and place, without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High. This must be done for the glory of God’s most holy name, and for the lively comfort of his people.”
What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.” Heidelberg Catechism, Question 1
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 