Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

1. THE LIGHT OF GOD’S REVELATION. This is fundamental for without it all other
means would be impossible, and even if possible, would fail to function properly. We
have in mind here primarily the light of God’s revelation that shines in nature and
lightens every man coming into the world. It is itself the fruit of common grace, but in
turn becomes a means for the further manifestation of it, since it serves to guide the
conscience of the natural man. Paul speaks of the Gentiles who do by nature the things
of the law, “in that they show the word of the law written in their hearts, their
conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or
else excusing them.” Rom. 2:14,15. Calvin in commenting on this passage says that such
Gentiles “prove that there is imprinted on their hearts a discrimination and judgment
by which they distinguish between what is just and unjust, between what is honest and
dishonest.” 29 In addition to this, however, it may be said that common grace in a more
restricted sense also operates in the light of God’s special revelation, which is not itself
the fruit of common, but of special, grace.
2. GOVERNMENTS. Of these too it may be said that they are at once the fruit and the
means of common grace. According to Rom. 13 governments are ordained of God, to
maintain good order in society. To resist them is to resist the ordinance of God. The
ruler, says Paul, “is a minister of God to thee for good.” Rom. 13:4. He finds support in
the conscience of man (verse 5) and for the rest “beareth not the sword in vain.” On this
point the Belgic Confession says: “We believe that our gracious God, because of the
depravity of mankind, hath appointed kings, princes, and magistrates, willing that the
world should be governed by certain laws and policies; to the end that the dissoluteness
of men might be restrained, and all things carried on among them with good order and
decency.” 30
3. PUBLIC OPINION. The natural light that shines in the hearts of men, especially
when re-enforced by the influence of God’s special revelation, results in the forming of a
public opinion that is in external conformity with the law of God; and this has a
tremendous influence on the conduct of men who are very sensitive to the judgment of
public opinion. Naturally public opinion will be a means of common grace only when it
is formed under the influence of God’s revelation. If it is not controlled by conscience,
acting in harmony with the light of nature, or by the Word of God, it becomes a mighty
influence for evil.
29 Comm. on Romans in loco.
30 Art. XXXVI.
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