Hi all!

I am having an email discussion with a friend who takes the Federal Vision perspective. We are discussing the FV position on temporary forgiveness (he's arguing for, I'm arguing against).

A quick question: I have asserted that Common Grace is grace in the sense of "unmerited favour" rather than "demerited favour". Connected with this is the assertion that the only things Christ "bought", or "atoned" for on the Cross were the sins of the elect. While common grace flows from the cross, is a consequence of it, and was predestined, ... Christ in no way "pays" for anything for the reprobate.

I know that Berkhof argues that the classical Reformed position is that common grace is not a result of the atonement. Am I right in then inferring that common grace to the reprobate can only be unmerited favour?

I feel pretty confident of that assertion. But I feel it's polite to my friend, and wise, just to get some other opinions, since I'm leaning on the argument.

(If anyone is interested, I am considering blogging the arguments for and against, as I feel we've covered some substantial ground. 2ndary question would be if anyone would find that interesting? If so, I'll do so...)

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Pete Myers
Anglican
Ministry assistant with some preaching Responsibility
Cambridge, UK

I deny that the reprobate receive grace (defined Biblically) in any manner. Hence, I suppose that solves the problem for me.

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Dad
Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCGA
Facebook - The Calvinist Vent
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It is God that multiplies our sorrows.... God, as a righteous Judge, does it, which ought to silence us under all our sorrows; as many as they are, we have deserved them all, and more: nay, God, as a tender Father, does it for our necessary correction, that we may be humbled for sin, and weaned from the world by all our sorrows; and the good we get by them, with the comfort we have under them, will abundantly balance our sorrows, how greatly soever they are multiplied. - Matthew Henry

At least Bavinck defines different types of grace (i.e. unmerited and demerited). And he claims it's a valid Reformed distinction.

In fact, before I'd even heard of the FV... common usage of terms in my part of the world was to call unmerited favour "grace", and demerited favour "mercy".