Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

that, and maintain that common grace by the illumination of the mind and the
persuasive influence of the truth incites the sinner to accept Jesus Christ and to turn to
God in faith and repentance, and will certainly achieve this end, unless the sinner
obstinately resists the operation of the Holy Spirit. The Canons of Dort have this in
mind where they reject the error of those who teach “that the corrupt and natural man
can so well use the common grace (by which they understand the light of nature), or the
gifts still left him after the fall, that he can gradually gain by their good use a greater,
that is, the evangelical or saving grace, and salvation itself.” 21
C. COMMON GRACE AND THE ATONING WORK OF CHRIST.
The question naturally arises, whether the manifestation of common grace is in any
way connected with the atoning work of Christ. As far as we know, Dr. Kuyper does not
posit such a connection. According to him Christ as the Mediator of creation, the light
that lighteth every man coming into the world, is the source of common grace. This
means that the blessings of common grace flow from the work of creation. But this
hardly suffices to answer the question, how it is to be explained that a holy and just God
extends grace to, and bestows favors upon, sinners who have forfeited everything, even
when they have no share in the righteousness of Christ and prove finally impenitent.
The question is exactly, How can God continue to bestow those blessings of creation on
men who are under the sentence of death and condemnation? As far as the elect are
concerned this question is answered by the cross of Christ, but how about the
reprobate? Perhaps it can be said that it is not necessary to assume a specific judicial
basis for the bestowal of common grace on man in view of the fact (a) that it does not
remove the guilt of sin and therefore does not carry pardon with it; and (b) that it does
not lift the sentence of condemnation, but only postpones the execution. Perhaps the
divine good pleasure to stay the revelation of His wrath and to endure “with much
longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction,” offers a sufficient explanation
for the blessings of common grace.
Reformed theologians generally hesitate to say that Christ by His atoning blood
merited these blessings for the impenitent and reprobate. At the same time they do
believe that important natural benefits accrue to the whole human race from the death
of Christ, and that in these benefits the unbelieving, the impenitent, and the reprobate
also share. In every covenant transaction recorded in Scripture it appears that the
covenant of grace carries with it not only spiritual but also material blessings, and those
21 III-IV. Rejection of errors 5.
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