We live in a fallen world. But God’s common grace means the world is not as loveless, ugly and chaotic as it could be. The Bible teaches that God restrains evil so that God’s creation may be preserved, ordered lives can continue and ultimately that God may be glorified and the Gospel preached to all nations.
This briefing looks at this important and often neglected doctrine.
References
- 1 Calvin, J, Harmony of the Law: Volume 3, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, page 246
- 2 Grudem, W, Systematic Theology, InterVarsity Press, 1994, page 657
- 3 Murray, J, Collected Writings of John Murray, Banner of Truth, 1977, page 96
- 4 Hodge, C, Systematic Theology: Volume 2, Hendrickson Publishers, 2001, page 667
- 5 Berkhof, L, Systematic Theology, Banner of Truth, 2003, page 436
Image attributions
- fp Sunflower: 123rf – 121428247
- p2 Family: Adobe Stock – Rido
- p2 Bread: 123rf – phive2015
- p3-4 Police: 123rf – flynt
- p3 Salt and light: Dreamstime – Kevin Carden
- p3 Groom and bride: Shutterstock – KA Photography KEVM111
- p3 Westminster: 123rf – marcogovel
- p4 Woman talking: 123rf – antonioguillem
- p4 Woman walking in busy street: Adobe Stock – Iakov Kalinin
- p5 John Calvin: Wikimedia – Anonymous
- p5 Charles Hodge: Wikimedia – Rembrandt Peale
