God’s Supposed Love for Satan/Lucifer: Support for Common Grace/the Free Offer?
This resource addresses a theological argument used by common grace advocates that God must have loved Satan and the reprobate prior to their fall since they were created in moral perfection, and examines whether this supports the doctrine of common grace or a general divine love toward the non-elect. Prof. Engelsma responds by clarifying that Satan's pre-fall state is fundamentally different from the reprobate ungodly, who never exist in a sinless condition, and therefore proves nothing about common grace toward fallen humanity. The article defends the Reformed position against a key objection to unconditional reprobation and God's unchangeable nature.
Dear Prof. Engelsma, One of the arguments that advocates of common grace or a general love of God make is as follows: “God must have loved and delighted in Satan and the fallen [reprobate] angels prior to their fall—for, prior to that fall, they were morally-ethically upright and perfect … right? (‘Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee’—Ezekiel 28:15). How could God hate/abominate a creature that is, at that moment in time,...