What are the decrees of God defined as in catechism?

The decrees of God, as defined in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, refer to His eternal purpose according to His will. This concept emphasizes that God has a sovereign plan that encompasses all things, created out of His will and for His own glory. It expresses the belief that nothing occurs outside of God's divine ordination and that His decrees are not reactive or subject to change, but rather are an eternal and unchanging aspect of God's nature.

Understanding this choice illustrates the foundational principle that God's sovereignty governs all aspects of creation. This contrasts with the other options, which introduce different aspects of God's relationship with humanity and the universe. God's commands to humanity are specific instructions and ethical directives but do not encompass His eternal purpose. The laws governing the universe can refer to natural laws and scientific principles, which while created by God, are distinct from His divine decrees. Finally, the teachings of prophets represent specific revelations from God to His people, rather than the overarching divine purpose that defines the decrees of God. Thus, identifying the decrees as His eternal purpose captures the comprehensive and unchanging aspect of God's will in a way that the other choices do not.