Does Psalm 81:11-13 Support the Well-Meant Offer Teaching?
Herman Hoeksema argues that Psalm 81:11-13 does not support the well-meant offer of grace teaching, demonstrating that the text addresses God's peculiar people (the elect) rather than all humanity, and contains conditional promises rather than a universal offer of salvation. This exegetical work directly engages the theological debate over common grace that was central to the 1924 controversy and the formation of the PRCA.
Herman Hoeksema But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! (Psalm 81:11-13) In connection with this text, we may take note of the fact, first of all, that surely no one can find in it a general and well-meant offer of grace and salvation. In the first place, the text is after all not general; and...