Infralapsarianism meaning

Infralapsarianism definitions

Infalapsarianism is a theological doctrine within Calvinism that addresses the order of God's decrees related to the creation of the world and the predestination of individuals. The term comes from the Latin infra, meaning "below," and lapsus, meaning "fall." Infralapsarians believe that God decreed the fall of humanity after choosing who would be saved, placing the fall "below" the decision of election.

Origins and Development

Infralapsarianism emerged in the early 17th century as part of the broader debates within Reformed theology regarding predestination, election, and the nature of original sin. The doctrine was formulated in response to the supralapsarian position, which posited that God's decree of predestination preceded the decree to permit the fall of humanity.

Key Tenets

Central to infralapsarianism is the belief that God's decree of predestination is logically and temporally prior to the decree to permit the fall. In other words, God's choice of who would be saved came before the decision to allow the fall into sin. This view seeks to uphold God's sovereignty in salvation while recognizing the reality of human sinfulness.

Implications

Infralapsarianism has profound implications for understanding the relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. By placing predestination before the fall, this doctrine emphasizes that God's choice in salvation is not based on foreseen human actions or merits but solely on His sovereign will. At the same time, it also underscores the reality of human agency and responsibility in the face of sin.

Overall, infralapsarianism reflects a complex theological reflection on the nature of God's decrees, the fall of humanity, and the doctrine of predestination within the context of Reformed theology. It seeks to navigate the tensions between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in a way that upholds the mystery and complexity of God's purposes in salvation.

Infralapsarianism Examples

1. The theological doctrine of infralapsarianism suggests that God's decree of election logically follows the decree to permit the fall of humanity.
2. Infralapsarianism is a complex concept within Calvinistic theology that deals with the order of God's decrees regarding the Fall of Man and predestination.
3. Some theologians argue that infralapsarianism provides a more consistent understanding of God's sovereignty and human responsibility compared to supralapsarianism.
4. The debate between infralapsarianism and supralapsarianism has been ongoing for centuries among theologians seeking to understand the nature of God's decrees and man's free will.
5. Infralapsarianism is closely related to the concept of predestination, as it addresses the question of how God's decree of election relates to the Fall and salvation of humanity.
6. Those who adhere to infralapsarianism believe that God's decree to permit the Fall was made after His decree of election, while supralapsarianism holds the opposite view.
7. The intricacies of infralapsarianism can be difficult to grasp for those unfamiliar with theological concepts, but its implications are far-reaching in discussions of salvation and divine sovereignty.
8. The doctrine of infralapsarianism has been a point of contention within the Reformed tradition, with different theologians offering varying perspectives on the relationship between God's decrees and human history.
9. Students of theology often wrestle with the implications of infralapsarianism in their studies, seeking to reconcile the mysteries of God's sovereignty with the complexities of human existence.
10. The debate over infralapsarianism continues to shape discussions of predestination and free will in Christian circles, prompting believers to explore the depths of divine mystery and human responsibility.

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