Scripture Readings:

Day

1 Gen. 2:8, 15_16

2 Gen. 1:28; Gen. 2:18

3 Gen. 1:26_29; 3:8

4 Gen. 2:3; Gal. 3:12; Rom. 10:5

5 Gen. 2:9; Gen. 2:17

6 Gen. 3:6_8, 13; Eccl. 7:29; II Cor. 11:3

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How many hours could one spend and but touch the surface of this statement. Dr. Green in his Harmony of the Westminster Presbyterian Standards touches only the covenant aspect of this portion of the standards. Personally, I had not placed this under "providence" though all things happening since the creation are God’s upholding all things He has proposed through the power of His word alone, and is the essence providence. Nonetheless the personal communion mentioned and the continued direct interaction of God with His creation at this point in history (time) isn’t the "invisible" ordering of daily events so that all fall into place toward the glory of God, and the accomplishment of His holy purpose that I would normally use to define providence either special or common. I am moved very deeply at this personal God, whom we all seek to have such a relationship with today. Is not our quest in the worship of God motivated by a belief we can be a part of such a restored communion with our creator? Short of the end and the return of Christ to make literal "Emanuel," God with us, we will not know this relationship that existed at creation. However I do believe we can have a much deeper and more tangible relationship than most achieve.

In the creation narrative we see the beginning of the history of man, and the grace of God toward man shown from the beginning in the creation story. Providence is already in place since God has rested from all His work of creation. The first covenant between God and man is introduced though not explicitly called such. We will deal with the covenant at great length in another lesson. However, at this point I want us to take note that God has set in place an asymmetrical covenant with His creation. I believe there is only one covenant as such and that which we know as the covenant of grace today was laid before man here in the garden. The elements of a covenant consisting of promise and warning are present. God has never dealt with mankind outside a context of covenant or agreement. It is also here at the beginning we see the TULIP of the Reformed faith planted by the hand of God.

This concise statement gives to us the whole of the creation of man, and the economy wherein he was set to labor, and the setting of the stage for the promise of the redeemer first mentioned in the midst of the curse (seed of woman). Other than the finer detail of the creation, and its ordering as such, the reformers have given us the whole story in one short paragraph.

Whether by direct operation or providence isn’t an issue and is only pointed out to be complete as we move through the history of God’s revelation of Himself in history and the planting, watering, and growth of the Reformed TULIP. Yet in this ordering we see some of the greatest controversies of the theological world. These have raged from the beginning, referring to the differing interpretations of the Jewish schools as well as the Christian schools to appear after Christ. The only truth that can be known is that which God has revealed to begin with, and then only understood by the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit to remove the scales of sin so man can see clear enough to grasp the revealed truth. God revealed himself to man in the creation, and in this creation narrative we see first a personal and caring God who provides for the needs of His created, and enters into a personal relationship with them. An extension of that divine community that has existed in the Godhead from eternity. We are enabled to see at the beginning then that our eventual adoption as the very children of God was not an after thought to repair the broken relationship, but rather God has so ordered even our broken condition to His own love, mercy, and glory.

An example is a controversy that has raged for decades, that of Infra/Supra- Lapsus, words meaning before or after the fall of man in the creation event, and referring specifically to the question; in the counsel (mind) of God, whether God thought of the election or the fall first. Scripture clearly states that none have ever known the mind of God. Some things God did not reveal to angels, and even the second person of the Trinity was not privy to all things (the date and time of the second coming). Each side righteously points to the verses wherein God’s word "seems" to favor one or the other ordering of this counsel (God’s way of thinking) of God as He ordered the events of creation, fall, election and redemption in history (time). Such is the nature of systematic theology and the way man thinks. We do need to try and divide things which I believe were instantaneous with God who works outside the binding of time, that we might understand and then apply His truth to life. Yet I think we must be careful not to infringe into areas God has chosen to let remain veiled. For this purpose the "theologians" of each generation are raised up by God, that we might have a contemporary voice to point to the ancient landmarks and guide us through the snares of the tempter for the present generation. I do not think undue attention to such detail, so as to distract the body of Christ should be undertaken by the untrained, nor be made part of public debate. Let the theologians do their duty, as the body as a whole goes about the work of the Lord. Many will not like the idea of those whose duty it is to wrestle with these issues and pass "down" findings concerning things spiritual to the rest of us, but this is exactly the division we find in the fledgling New Testament church in the book of Acts where deacons were selected that the elders might be freed from the daily ministrations at the table in order that they might pour all their time and effort into prayer and ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1-4).

How clear the trumpet of the reformers then sounds when compared with the modern’s attempt to rewrite the ancient creeds that we might understand them better. Surely they were guided in their work by the hand of God. Though their sessions were many and the arguments long and detailed, the result was a statement that reduced the volume of the Holy Writ without sacrificing one great truth. This lack of clarity of the warning trumpet of the modern church has seen her diminish almost to the point of death, as she sinks once more into the quagmire devised of hell and surely would be lost except for the declaration of victory that came from the lips of our Savior Himself that the gates of hell should not prevail against her. God warned of the consequences of removing the ancient landmarks to the church in the wilderness of the Old Testament, and this seems to be a warning ignored today. The movements abound today that call for a new creed all can embrace; we have sunken so low as to have those who would rewrite the Scared Word itself excluding what in "their mind" isn’t really from God. Not to be children! Harken once more to the voice of the fathers and let us fully understand from whence we came before we venture into whatever days the Lord has chosen to yet be before that final trumpet sounds. We need not a new creed when we neither understand nor heed the old. We cannot guide this family of God into the future without the ancient landmarks to set course by. Only where the reformers have missed Scripture do we have warrant to debate, and in this chapter I believe they have laid in place firm boundary lines that clearly show forth the Word of God in a way even a child might understand.

I am sure the academic wars will continue, and I know Satan must smile within to have the doctors of the church so involved in minutiae that they don’t see that he is moving the ancient boundaries before their eyes. So it is that our theologians have a double duty then. To help chart the course of the church, which requires delving into the most obscure and smallest of jots in the Holy Writ, and beyond. Nonetheless, they remain also as the teachers of our teachers, and must not lose sight of the duties of an overseer in the biblical sense. So it must be that they find time to lay pens aside and go to their knees, that they may rightly see what the duty of an overseer is, and reach into the next millennium with the concise clarity of these saints of old. Armed with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, may they rightly divide this word of truth and sound a new call to battle from a trumpet that sounds true. That all in hearing will understand, and gather for the battle of the King of Kings. Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly!

And what of the TULIP in this statement? Again we see God’s sovereignty as Creator and Sustainer shine forth as in the fifth petal. Knowing the whole story we can see the rest burst forth and once more in the beauty of the first garden, the TULIP stands as one of God’s brightest flowers. In the statement as given, we do not yet have her necessity, but she has already been planted in anticipation of that need yet to come as our God holds true to Himself by first providing whatsoever He requires of His creation. How wondrous and infinite the grace and love of God toward man.

It is here we begin the revelation for the necessity of the Reformed TULIP, and begin to see how the complete doctrine of the Bible can be so tightly interwoven into these five classic points of Calvinism. While some doctrines are not clearly taught in the points themselves, their necessity for the TULIP to stand is immediately apparent, and it is there we find we must first acknowledge the sovereignty of God, and accept the presuppositional statement that the Bible is God’s word, neither having nor needing external proof, but resting entirely in the hand of God Himself, a witness of self, testified as being true by the Holy Spirit.

As introduced in the last question, we once more see the infra/supra question before us. This is one place an exact answer to this question would shed light into the text, and allow more definite statements to be made. The reformers words "left to the freedom of their own will" seems to place the decree of election after the fall. Since the fall we know the election is in place and man is not ultimately "free" to choose, as the words of the reformers appear to indicate before the fall. We also see the "personal" relationship of God begin to move toward representatives of the elect, and not dealing with the people as a whole. The curse brought out the necessity of the covenants and those who would administer this covenant through the generations. To the head so chosen by God, (Note Jacob wasn’t the eldest son, thus chosen ‘elected’ of God.) God spoke personally or through angels. This gap will widen until after the time of the patriarchs, it is only through God’s chosen prophets God speaks to the people, and I

It isn’t my attempt here to dive into such a theological discussion, but to point to the fantastic highlights of the work God so graciously provided from the pens of the reformers. Yet we must at least address the major themes as they appear. The question then raised is that of "free will." Those opposed to Calvinism would claim full autonomy for man and say we have a choice. The so called hyper-Calvinist would say we have no choices. In my opinion, the truth lies somewhere between these two extremes. Calvinism doesn’t deny free will, but does deny that man may choose salvation. While a sovereign God who counts the hairs on man’s head and sees the sparrow fall from the air is definitely a God who is involved with His creation and in control of all things, to what extent does he order the events of daily life for His creation, particularly man? To try and limit it to the election diminishes God’s love and concern for His creation. To move it toward the other end of the continuum makes men gods, from whom God could receive no glory. With prayer I invite you to again read the creation story, and let the Holy Spirit speak from the Word of God. While not a thing indifferent, I do believe we have much leeway from the Bible in what we each perceive this truth to be, and that this truth may change as we mature in the Spirit and in our obedience to God. Know this, God is Sovereign; God is always with His people; and God does providentially care for His people. Let us then stand in awe of this awesome God of creation as these things fall out in history according to His perfect plan. Paul in Romans chapter twelve begins with the words "By the tender mercies of God . . .." As we try to peer into the deeper things of God, it is well to take the time to prayerfully read that chapter again. The infra/supra connection? When did God limit these choices by election? When in God’s mind did the grace of the covenant to replace this Adamic covenant take place. How would this order in God’s mind change the operation of the covenants and their administration? Huge questions, with eternal consequences. They can be dealt with when one diligently seeks God’s answer, even by the non-theologian, when sufficient time is spent reading the Bible and paying attention to the ancient creeds of the church where the church doctors from each generation have wrestled with these questions for us. Being men they have made error, and each generation has pointed to these and sought to bring us closer to the true meaning of God’s Word. This is what "Reformed and always reforming" means, not a constant change or seeking for that which is new, but the correction of error based on Scripture alone as God leads each generation in the fulfillment of the original call to obedience of His holy Word, that man might have life and that eternal. I would caution here, this does not mean I believe all can be saved, the election is of God and stands firm. While the Messiah promised in the story of creation points to restoration of the tree of life and eternal life, Christ came that we might have life and that more abundant. This abundant life is for today, not heaven. Praise and worship rendered by obedience to God’s Word bring temporal blessings, the election eternal life is a gift which leads to obedience. Such obedience comes not from fear, nor of the reward offered, but from a heart filled with love in thanksgiving for the gift of God.

"Through the temptation of Satan . . ." the reformers note the reason of our first parents fall in the garden, this is no excuse they are responsible for their actions. It is no different today, as the tempter is immortal and exists to tempt each generation into sin. Since the original fall, I am not so sure we even put up the token resistance of Eve in that we now are born with a sinful nature in the flesh that she did not have. From the fall of those created without sin, and the ease with which the evil one caused them to sin, we each should moment by moment know we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit and constantly seek God’s face in prayer. We should take to heart the question from the classic by Charles Sheldon and constantly ask ourselves "What Would Jesus Do" before we make any decision. Note that it wasn’t a big decision, but a normal every day activity like eating, Satan chose to entrap Eve. God requires perfect obedience, but Has and continues to give us the thing required before asking for it, and in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has provided this power also. Then in complete consistency with His own character, our God provides words to comfort and give hope to the frail and faithless people He has chosen for His own in that John wrote that as often as we confessed these sins, God was faithful and just to forgive them. Thankfully then we live not by our faithfulness, but by God’s faithfulness toward us. This is not an excuse for sin, nor can we rationalize it away, but even as God left hope for the first created humans, He leaves hope for His people today, that He is there and they are his, despite their failure to meet His standard perfectly. As we see in Romans 5:1-5, when we place our faith in Him, the "experience" of that faith in life brings the assurance of this hope to fruit in our lives.

"Fell from the state of innocency . . ." is another interesting statement. When we consider that a large percentage of the population suffers from shame and guilt and fill the counsel rooms of the world seeking answers, perhaps we can begin to understand what this fall from innocency really means. Man was created innocent, not perfect or impeccable (unable to sin). When I was studying psychology my professor was working on a model of "Christian" personality whereby the ills of the human mind could be biblically defined and from there Scripture applied to bring the person back to this state of innocency. I was intrigued that he chose the titles "nakedness" and "hate" for the two axis model where man moves away from the shameless innocency in which he was created. Along these two lines he showed how as man moved from this place of creation in innocency, the ills of the psychological world developed in direct proportion to how an individual was thinking about himself in self exaltation or worthlessness in combination of their opinion of others, whereby they exalted or degraded others. When God was the center, man knew his proper place and none of the mental illnesses existed. This fits with this account from the creation story, as we see man first become aware and ashamed of his own shortcomings, and hate enter into the world via pride and self exaltation. Paul speaks of this internal struggle and notes that which he wants to do he doesn’t and that it goes so far that, that which he hates, he does. Thus the internal struggle of man apart from the peace with God known in the creation and shattered by the fall, as man struggles to return to that place of innocence and peace apart from God’s unfolding plan of redemption.

Here we have seen the introduction of grace and the beginning of the covenant of God with the Son of God (full development of this theme will flow rapidly now) for the benefit of His Elect. Perhaps we can now begin to see that the only model for salvation and life that is truly gracious is that of the precious TULIP revealed by God in Scripture and brought to us by our Reformed forefathers.

I don’t think we have any problem seeing all the petals of this flower from God, not in any preexistent stage, but center stage as a jewel in the glorious crown of our King. Even in innocency, man did sin and petal one stands tall in the garden. With sin now in the open, the second springs forth as only by His unconditional grace God provided for the continuation of man, rather than eternal damnation as with fallen angels. As noted before, if there is an election, it must be some are not elected, or election doesn’t exist, so petal three stands firm. The first man has proven that given the choice, he will turn from God, and the necessity of the fourth petal is in full bloom. Then as we have seen from the opening words of Scripture, God is sovereign, and Petal five is the only way for God to be consistent with Himself and His holiness. The critics of the Reformed faith have no foundation but their own vain imaginations to turn to in defense of their unbiblical schemes that cater to the heart of man, not God’s revealed word.

As noted before we began this study with "hard doctrine." I believe with careful consultation of the Scriptures in prayer all may see this is the biblical faith of our fathers. The faith where those martyred saints before us could lovingly embrace the flames for the name sake of our Lord. We have two lessons left in this quarter. In these two we will further develop the TULIP and deal with the calling of a people to Himself by God and how this calling is made effective. If we end this quarter in unity of the Spirit, what follows will be of little consequence in that it will not divide us. On this scriptural foundation we can build churches that will resist the powers of hell to diminish or destroy them.

That said, let me make another perhaps controversial statement. Theology is a necessity, for we must seek out the truth, and that alone speak. Yet theology has more to do with this world and how we glorify God, our God given duty, and live with some peace and contentment now and far less if anything to do with eternity and the resting place of the immortal soul of humankind. That is we can agree to differ in many places, and exist together as the children of God, because the same Spirit of peace indwells all of God’s children. We all labor for one goal, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

For further thought: What does glorify God mean to you? How do you glorify God? What effect does this have on your day by day activities? How do we enjoy God today? What will this consist of in the New Jerusalem? Once more look at the TULIP of lesson one, agree or disagree? Why? What passage of Scripture supports your belief?

For Further study: Read the account of the curse in Genesis 3:15. Why do you think this is the only place in the Bible, and science that the word seed, a male term is used connected to the woman? Do you see the promise of the Messiah at this early point in the revelation of God by the use of this word? Consider that the seed mentioned here and elsewhere in the revelation of the covenants is singular. To whom does this singular term apply? If the reformers are correct and this seed is Christ, how many covenants did God make? With whom? Does this effect how you view the five classic points of Calvinism?

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[1] And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. (Genesis 2:8 AV)

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. {the man: or, Adam} And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: {thou...: Heb. eating thou shalt eat} (Genesis 2:15-16 AV)

[2] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. {moveth: Heb. creepeth} (Genesis 1:28 AV)

[3] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. {meet...: Heb. as before him} (Genesis 2:18 AV)

[4] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. {moveth: Heb. creepeth} And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. {bearing...: Heb. seeding seed} {yielding...: Heb. seeding seed} (Genesis 1:26-29 AV)

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. {cool: Heb. wind} (Genesis 3:8 AV)

[5] And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. {created...: Heb. created to make} (Genesis 2:3 AV)

[6] And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (Galatians 3:12 AV)

[7] And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9 AV)

[8] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. {thou shalt surely...: Heb. dying thou shalt die} (Genesis 2:17 AV)

[9] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. {pleasant: Heb. a desire} And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. {aprons: or, things to gird about} And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. {cool: Heb. wind} (Genesis 3:6-8 AV)

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. (Genesis 3:13 AV)

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. (Ecclesiastes 7:29 AV)

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3 AV)