[HarleyD]

Hmmmmmm....I understand Mr. Jordan's distinction. In thinking about the terms I would say he is probably correct. The term “COMMON GRACE” is probably a poor term. God is still benevolence to those who He so chooses. However, I would argue that God’s benevolences extend to all corners of the world. We should all be rightfully done away with but the only reason we remain is simply because of God’s lovingkindness. This applies to every man, woman and child.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I've been fascinated by the history of the usage of "common grace" to get around all sorts of sturdy doctrine, not the least of which is garbling Calvin on the subject. Here are two informative links:

Abraham Kuyper, Developer and Promoter of Common Grace

"But Kuyper's motivation for developing the doctrine of common grace was not solely theological; it was also very practical. For one thing, he sought to answer the growing effects of modernism in the church-world. He noted that modernism had a broad vision of the world and for the world, but that this vision was grounded in humanistic rationalism. He wanted the Reformed faith to have the same broad vision, but to be grounded in the sovereign work of God. Common grace gave him the answer, he thought. Further, Kuyper had become involved in a political career in the Netherlands and needed some justification for his programs and for his cooperation with other religious and secular groups in these programs..."

"Political"??? I'm shocked, I say, shocked! Can't we all just get along?

Another excellent link which offers more historical background...

THE MYTH OF COMMON GRACE

Between Van Til and Clark, this Presbyterian takes Van Til any day.