supralapsarianism

theology

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June 17, 2026

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Supralapsarianism is a theological doctrine concerning God's decrees of election and reprobation. Adherents, known as supralapsarians, believe that God decreed both election (choosing some for salvation) and reprobation (passing over others) before creation. This view holds that God then allowed the fall of humanity as a means to fulfill these divine purposes.1

This contrasts with infralapsarianism, which posits that God decreed election and reprobation after foreseeing and permitting the fall of man. The term "lapsarian" itself relates to the Latin word "lapsus," meaning "fall," referring to the biblical event of Adam and Eve's fall from grace.23

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Gomarist
…the theological position known as supralapsarianism, which claimed that God is not the author of sin yet accepted the Fall of Man as an active decree of God. They also opposed toleration for Roman Catholics, for Jews, and for other Protestants. In opposing the Gomarists, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, one of…
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…the theological position known as supralapsarianism, which claimed that God is not the author of sin yet accepted the Fall of Man as an active decree of God. They also opposed toleration for Roman Catholics, for Jews, and for other Protestants. In opposing the Gomarists, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, one of…
Read More