Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

of Christ, though not intended for all, is yet sufficient for all. (2) A second objection is
derived from the spiritual inability of man. Man, as he is by nature, cannot believe and
repent, and therefore it looks like mockery to ask this of him. But in connection with this
objection we should remember that in the last analysis man’s inability in spiritual things
is rooted in his unwillingness to serve God. The actual condition of things is not such
that many would like to repent and believe in Christ, if they only could. All those who
do not believe are not willing to believe, John 5:40. Moreover, it is no more unreasonable
to require repentance and faith in Christ of men than it is to demand of them that they
keep the law. Very inconsistently some of those who oppose the general offer of
salvation on the basis of man’s spiritual inability, do not hesitate to place the sinner
before the demands of the law and even insist on doing this.
3. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EXTERNAL CALLING. The question may be asked, why God
comes to all men indiscriminately, including even the reprobate, with the offer of
salvation. This external calling answers more than one purpose.
a. In it God maintains His claim on the sinner. As the sovereign Ruler of the
universe He is entitled — and this is a matter of absolute right — to the service of man.
And though man tore away from God in sin and is now incapable of rendering spiritual
obedience to his rightful Sovereign, his wilful transgression did not abrogate the claim
of God on the service of His rational creatures. The right of God to demand absolute
obedience remains, and He asserts this right in both the law and the gospel. His claim
on man also finds expression in the call to faith and repentance. And if man does not
heed this call, he disregards and slights the just claim of God and thereby increases his
guilt.
b. It is the divinely appointed means of bringing sinners to conversion. In other
words, it is the means by which God gathers the elect out of the nations of the earth. As
such it must necessarily be general or universal, since no man can point out the elect.
The final result is, of course, that the elect, and they only, accept Christ by faith. This
does not mean that missionaries can go out and give their hearers the assurance that
Christ died for each one of them and that God intends to save each one; but it does
mean that they can bring the joyful tidings that Christ died for sinners, that He invites
them to come unto Him, and that He offers salvation to all those who truly repent of
their sins and accept him with a living faith.
c. It is also a revelation of God’s holiness, goodness, and compassion. In virtue of
His holiness God dissuades sinners everywhere from sin, and in virtue of His goodness
and mercy He warns them against self-destruction, postpones the execution of the
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