Sublapsarianism meaning

Sublapsarianism definitions

Sublapsarianism is a theological doctrine within Calvinism that deals with the order of God's decrees. This doctrine is often contrasted with supralapsarianism, another Calvinist position. Sublapsarianism holds that God's decree of election was made after the decree to permit the Fall, while supralapsarianism argues that God decreed both the Fall and election before the creation of the world.

Origin and Development

Sublapsarianism emerged in the early 17th century and gained popularity within Calvinist circles. The term itself comes from the Latin word sublapsus, meaning "after the Fall." This doctrine was especially prominent among the English Puritans and had a significant influence on the development of Reformed theology.

Key Tenets

One of the central tenets of sublapsarianism is the belief in the sovereignty of God in salvation. According to this view, God's decree to save a particular group of individuals was made in response to the Fall, which was permitted by God's will. This decree is based on God's foreknowledge of who would respond to His grace.

Relationship with Other Doctrines

Sublapsarianism is closely related to other Calvinist doctrines, such as unconditional election and limited atonement. It is often used to explain the intricacies of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Proponents of sublapsarianism argue that it provides a coherent explanation for the relationship between God's will and human free will.

In conclusion, sublapsarianism offers a distinctive perspective on the order of God's decrees and the nature of salvation within Calvinism. While it is just one of many theological positions within the Reformed tradition, sublapsarianism continues to be a topic of debate and discussion among scholars and theologians.

Sublapsarianism Examples

1. The doctrine of sublapsarianism teaches that God's decree of predestination logically follows His decree to permit the Fall of man.
2. Sublapsarianism is a theological position that emphasizes God's sovereignty in salvation in relation to the Fall of mankind.
3. One of the key arguments within sublapsarianism is the order in which God decrees the Fall and predestination.
4. Sublapsarianism seeks to address the theological questions surrounding God's foreknowledge and human free will.
5. The debate between infralapsarianism and sublapsarianism revolves around the nature of God's decree in relation to sin.
6. Sublapsarianism is often discussed in the context of the larger Calvinist doctrine of predestination.
7. In sublapsarianism, the Fall of man is seen as a necessary part of God's plan for salvation.
8. Proponents of sublapsarianism argue that God's decree to permit sin is not the cause of sin itself.
9. The concept of sublapsarianism has implications for understanding the nature of original sin.
10. Some theologians reject sublapsarianism in favor of infralapsarianism or supralapsarianism.

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