sublapsarian

Sublapsarianism is a theological view within Calvinism concerning the order of God's decrees, specifically related to salvation and predestination. It posits that God decreed to elect some for salvation and reprobate others, but this decree was subsequent to His decree to permit the fall of humanity. In this view, God first decreed to create humanity and permit their fall into sin. Then, out of the massa damnata (condemned mass) of fallen humanity, God chose to elect some for salvation and pass over others for condemnation. This contrasts with supralapsarianism, which places the decree of election and reprobation before the decree to create and permit the fall.

The term "sublapsarian" comes from the Latin "sub" meaning "under" or "after" and "lapsus" meaning "fall." Therefore, sublapsarianism means that election occurs *after* the fall. Proponents argue that this view more clearly upholds God's justice, as His decree of election is based on humanity's fallen state, and He justly condemns those who have sinned. It also emphasizes God's mercy in choosing to save some from this fallen condition. While both sublapsarianism and supralapsarianism affirm God's sovereignty and predestination, they differ on the logical order of these divine decrees within God's eternal plan. Sublapsarianism is generally considered the more common position within historical Calvinism.