Does Acts 14:16-17 Teach Common Grace?
Hoeksema and Danhof examine Acts 14:16-17 to argue against the doctrine of common grace, distinguishing between God's providential gifts of natural blessings (rain, food, etc.) and saving grace. They contend that God's goodness in sustaining all creation does not constitute grace toward the unregenerate, using vivid examples to demonstrate that natural abilities used for sin cannot be called gracious gifts.
Herman Hoeksema and Henry Danhof Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness (Acts 14:16-17). First of all, we wish to remark that we fully understand the reasoning of some in regard to this text. They say that God did good. In doing good in the Old Testament, He gave rain and fruitful times, food and...