The covenant and Dordt (6): Reprobation—concluded
This article by Russell Dykstra explains the doctrine of reprobation as taught in the Canons of Dort, emphasizing that God's decree to pass by the non-elect flows from His sovereign good pleasure rather than foreseen merit or conditions. The author then explores how the doctrine of reprobation coheres with Reformed covenant theology, showing that God establishes His covenant specifically with His elect rather than with all the children of believers indiscriminately.
Reprobation is God's eternal decree to leave the reprobate in their misery of sin, not to give them saving faith and the grace of conversion, and to condemn and punish them forever. This is the teaching of the Canons in Head I, Article 15. Article 15 adds that this decree is righteous and unchangeable. Reprobation is also "out of His [God's]…good pleasure." That, first of all, eliminates the possibility that God's determination of who are reprobate is based on something in the person. Just as...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org