Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

1. ITS INSEPARABLE CONNECTION WITH EXTERNAL CALLING. The calling of God may be
said to be one, and the distinction between an external and an internal or effectual
calling merely calls attention to the fact that this one calling has two aspects. This does
not mean that these two aspects are always united and always go together. We do not
aver with the Lutherans that “the inner call is always concurrent with the hearing of the
word.” 50 It does mean, however, that where the inner call comes to adults, it is mediated
by the preaching of the Word. It is the same Word that is heard in the external call, and
that is made effective in the heart in the internal calling. Through the powerful
application of the Holy Spirit the external call passes right into the internal. 51 But while
this calling is closely connected with the external call and forms a unit with it, there are
certain points of difference: (a) It is a calling by the Word, savingly applied by the operation
of the Holy Spirit, I Cor. 1:23,24; I Pet. 2:9; (b) it is a powerful calling, that is, a calling that
is effectual unto salvation, Acts 13:48; I Cor. 1:23,24; and (c) it is without repentance, that
is, it is a call that is not subject to change and that is never withdrawn, Rom. 11:29.
noted:
2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INTERNAL CALL. The following characteristics should be
a. It works by moral suasion plus the powerful operation of the Holy Spirit. The question
arises, whether in this calling (as distinguished from regeneration) the Word of God
works in a creative way, or by moral suasion. Now there is no doubt about it that the
Word of God is sometimes said to work in a creative manner, Gen. 1:3; Ps. 33:6,9; 147:15;
Rom. 4:17 (though this may be interpreted differently). But these passages refer to the
word of God’s power, to His authoritative command, and not to the word of preaching
with which we are concerned here. The Spirit of God operates through the preaching of
the Word only in a morally persuasive way, making its persuasions effective, so that
man listens to the voice of his God. This follows from the very nature of the Word,
which addresses itself to the understanding and the will. 52 It should be borne in mind,
however, that this moral suasion does not yet constitute the whole of the internal call;
there must be in addition to this a powerful operation of the Holy Spirit, applying the
Word to the heart.
b. It operates in the conscious life of man. This point is most intimately connected with
the preceding. If the word of preaching does not operate creatively, but only in a moral
and persuasive way, it follows that it can work only in the conscious life of man. It
50 Valentine, Chr. Theol. II, pp. 197 f.
51 Bavinck, Roeping en Wedergeboorte, p. 215.
52 Bavinck, Roeping en Wedergeboorte, pp. 217,219,221.
520