Grace Uncommon
Prof. Barry Gritters defends the Protestant Reformed Churches' rejection of the common grace doctrine, demonstrating that this position is not unique to the PRC and that John Calvin, when properly contextualized, does not teach common grace. The pamphlet traces the historical roots of the controversy to Herman Hoeksema's 1924 stand and addresses how the common grace doctrine continues to influence theological discussions in Reformed churches.
Introduction Three items should be treated by way of introduction. First, the Protestant Reformed Churches (PRC) are not alone in their rejection of the doctrine of common grace. Increasing in number, there are others who agree with the PRC in their objections to this doctrine. There is a lengthy article written by a Presbyterian in The Trinity Review called “The Myth of Common Grace” (March/April, 1987). There is Dr. Henry Vander Goot, a professor of religion at Calvin College, and a...