Doctrine Matters with Kevin DeYoung What Are the Divine Decrees?
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Mar 17, 2026 Clear definitions of divine decrees and their eternal, unchanging nature. A breakdown of six key attributes and how decrees can include wicked events without making God the author of sin. A careful contrast between God’s decretive will and his will of desire. Discussion of human freedom under divine necessity and why we are not mere puppets.
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Divine Decree Is One Eternal Act
- The divine decree is God's single eternal act that foreordains everything for his glory.
- Kevin DeYoung cites the Westminster Shorter Catechism and Louis Berkhof to stress it's one simultaneous decree, not sequential decisions.
Decrees Happen Outside Time
- DeYoung emphasizes the decrees are eternal, occurring outside temporal sequence.
- He distinguishes eternity from 'time before history,' saying God's duration is non-temporal, so decrees aren't successive events.
Decrees Are Unchanging, Wise, And Good
- Divine decrees are immutable, absolute, wise, and good despite including wicked events.
- DeYoung argues God never authors sin; even decreed wickedness serves good ends because God cannot be unrighteous.
