Temporal Things in the Light of Eternity
Hoeksema argues that God's bestowal of temporal blessings upon both the righteous and unrighteous—such as rain, sunshine, food, and earthly goods—constitutes a manifestation of God's goodness and favor, and therefore demonstrates the reality of what is commonly called "common grace." This excerpt represents Hoeksema's defense of the doctrine against those who would deny God's gracious provision to the unregenerate, making it directly relevant to the 1924 Common Grace Controversy and the theological debates that shaped the Protestant Reformed Churches in America.
Herman Hoeksema There is no dispute about the fact that in this world the righteous and unrighteous have all temporal things in common. Our first parents did not go to hell immediately after the fall. The world did not change into chaos. Nor did Adam and Eve at once return unto the dust. The human race continued to exist. Also the ungodly are born. They also live their three score years and ten, or, if they are very strong, their four score years. They too receive their talents and gifts and...