The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum "Love your enemies" and "Does God love all"

Johan,

Personally, if I am understanding hisalone's view re: the love of God, it would not be synonymous with "Common Grace"; an unfortunate misnomer in itself. Because, hisalone has made it clear that 1) his view deviates from that of historic Reformed and Calvinistic churches and their respective Confessions. 2) That because God IS love, then of necessity His love must be equal toward all men; the application of that love is what differs. It appears to me that this view has no biblical basis which I have aforementioned in my other replies, e.g., that when Scripture speaks of God's love it is most always inextricably bound with salvation and the objects of that salvation are the Elect and not all mankind. Contrariwise, when speaking of the Reprobate, the word "hate/hatred" is everywhere used and not love. What is used in reference to all of mankind, i.e., unbelievers, are terms such as "kindness", "beneficence", "long-suffering", "patience", etc., all of which are to lead the unbeliever to repentance. And, should the individual not repent, such benevolent treatment of them will be used against them at the Judgment.

So, for these two reasons alone, I cannot see hisalone's view being akin to the doctrine of "Common Grace". <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,