Bill Duncan
Puritan Board Freshman
This line of thinking sent me back to Kline and "Kingdom Prologue" Part 1 Section B and his idea that Grace is not unmerited but rather demerited favor. Therefore any common grace to the reprobate whatsoever is grace abundant.
Kline says:
"A confirmation of the divine purpose of salvation was in effect given, therefore, when the Lord pronounced a temporal, common curse rather than an ultimate judgment against the generality of mankind. (Gen 3:16-17)"
"These common blessings are not deserved by mankind, but are a benefit enjoyed only by the grace of the Creator in his forbearance with those who have forfeited all blessing by their rebellion against him."
"A principle of common grace, a grace that provides benefits to the just and the unjust in common, thus informs the divine government of the postlapsarian world."
"Another benefit of common grace was the continuation, even though in modified fashion, of the social-cultural order that had been established under the Creator's covenant with Adam."
"Common grace was introduced to act as a rein to hold in check the curse on mankind and to make possible an interim historical environment as the theater for a program of redemption.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but common grace was designed to facilitate redemption not to benefit reprobates.
Kline says:
"A confirmation of the divine purpose of salvation was in effect given, therefore, when the Lord pronounced a temporal, common curse rather than an ultimate judgment against the generality of mankind. (Gen 3:16-17)"
"These common blessings are not deserved by mankind, but are a benefit enjoyed only by the grace of the Creator in his forbearance with those who have forfeited all blessing by their rebellion against him."
"A principle of common grace, a grace that provides benefits to the just and the unjust in common, thus informs the divine government of the postlapsarian world."
"Another benefit of common grace was the continuation, even though in modified fashion, of the social-cultural order that had been established under the Creator's covenant with Adam."
"Common grace was introduced to act as a rein to hold in check the curse on mankind and to make possible an interim historical environment as the theater for a program of redemption.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but common grace was designed to facilitate redemption not to benefit reprobates.