In Calvin's writings we also meet with the view that God in various ways manifests His goodness to men at large in order that He may turn them from their sins and allure them to Himself. So for instance our author tells us in several places that God woos men to Himself and urges them to come to repentance by the bestowal of various blessings. (I, 5, 14; Gen. 39, 1-2; Is. 26, 10; Hos. 6, 5; 9, 15; Matth. 22, 4; Acts 5, 12; Rom. 2, 4) According to our author God many a time suspends punishment in order that He may invite men to repent by His long-suffering (Gen. 6, 3; Ex. 9, 14; 9, 31-33; Jer. 25, 27 and 34; Dan. 9, 13; Amos 7, 1-3; Zeph. 3, 6-7), and he would also have us believe that God oftentimes has the same purpose in mind when He threatens men or applies His rods to them without exacting the extreme penalty. (Gen. 6, 13; 20, 7; Lev. 26, 40; Numb. 17, 12-13; Is. 22, 12; Jer. 2, 30; 31, 18; Ezech. 6, 12; 14, 6; 16, 27; Dan. 4, 26; Hos. 5, 9; Amos 3, 3-8; Zeph. 2, 1-2) Again we are told that God is said to have the conversion of men in view and seeks to draw them to Himself when He shines upon them with the light of His Word. (Is. 6, 10; 41, 9?; 65, 2; Jer. 7, 25-26; Math. 23, 37; John 5, 43; 12, 35; Hebr. 3, 16.
October 10, 2011
Herman Kuiper (1889–1963) on Calvin’s View of a Purpose of God in Common Grace
Posted by Tony Byrne at 10/10/2011
Labels: Herman Kuiper, John Calvin, The Grace of God, The Will of God
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