Common Grace Theology, Part 1 – Introduction

Origin and Development of Common Grace Theology

I. Introduction

Common grace doctrine in its present form is little more than a hundred years old, however, the basic idea of it originates primarily in the seventeenth century, less than one hundred years after the Protestant church reformation began in Europe. The seventeenth century was a time of theological development largely due to the ramifications of what transpired in the previous century, when recognition of Rome’s deviation from Scripture became apparent to men within the church. Once begun, the Reformation first encountered opposition from Rome, but eventually, the doctrines of Scripture recovered by the reformers encountered many challenges within the Protestant church as well. The theologians of seventeenth century Europe found themselves needing to clarify certain doctrines among themselves arising from the great reformers of the previous century

Is Grace Common?

A Brief Examination of a Popular Doctrine

Preface

The purpose of this essay is to examine the popularly held teaching referred to as Common Grace doctrine. I advocated this teaching for many years as biblical doctrine that promoted both the sovereignty and the glory of God in creation and salvation. I confess however, never really bothering to examine the teaching in any great detail, but just assumed it was true on the authority of many advocates. I viewed some texts used by well-known theologians and preachers in the church promoting the doctrine, superficially, without really considering them regarding the overall scheme of redemption, not to mention certain contextual considerations surrounding them. Originally, the basic idea of common grace seemed compatible with Scripture, at least the way I understood it. Although the phrase ‘Common Grace’ nowhere appears in Scripture, an implied reference to it is in certain verses, that on the surface corroborate the validity of the concept.

God’s Covenant, Part 16 – Covenant Promises(s)

4-The Promise of Unconditional Grace

At the point man broke the original covenant relationship, thereby incurring its promised curse, God began to show an intention toward redemption of the creature bearing His image. This intention to redeem is the higher and greater purpose of God’s eternal counsel within the Godhead, regarding mankind and the world, for if it were not, then the original covenant would certainly appear to be a complete failure. Man had the opportunity of freedom as well as enjoyment of His Creator, but when he failed to keep it, God intervened with a new covenant arrangement, else, the relationship would forever cease. What occurred in the garden should be sufficient proof to show every son of Adam that it could be no different with them if put to the same test, for they would end in the same position as he, lost and bound for ruin unless God reached out to save them.

The Doctrines of Grace

Preface

After completing an essay on the Protestant principle of grace alone, I feel it necessary at this time to expand on the theme of the doctrine of grace. In the previous essay my purpose was to show what took place during the Reformation in correcting certain errors that had crept into the ancient church on the relationship of works and grace in salvation. Also, my purpose was to give an account of how the principle of grace alone has devolved since the Reformation.

The Principles of Protestantism, Part 4 – Grace Alone

II – Grace Alone

Starting with Scripture as the first principle of Protestantism, we now proceed to grace as the second. The division between the two is comprehended by the designation of the formal and the material causes of salvation. Scripture alone is the formal principle as it is the authority by which salvation is revealed and understood. That is a marked departure from the Roman Pope and Magisterium. Grace alone is the material principle as it is the cause of salvation apart from any other thing such as sacraments or human effort. Actually, the material principle in salvation is comprehended by three things which are Christ alone, given by Grace alone, and received through faith alone. A review of many writers reveals a diversity of thought regarding the order of these principles. Some place faith before grace, while others put the glory of God as the first principle. Lutherans tend to view the principles of Protestantism as primarily three in number, grace, faith, and Scripture. Any order seems appropriate as long as it is constructed properly in terms of a logical explanation of each. So with this in mind, we have chosen grace as the next principle.