Rev.
Herman Hoeksema
[Source: The
Standard Bearer, vol. 30, no. 19 (Aug. 1, 1954), p. 439]
The Well-Meant Gospel Offer, by Dr. A. C. De Jong, published by T.
Wever, Franeker, The Netherlands. Distributed here by Baker Book House, Grand
Rapids, Mich.
In
this book, the views of Hoeksema and Schilder, particularly in regard to
so-called “common grace” and, more particularly still, to the well-meaning
offer of grace and salvation to all men, are set forth and criticised.
On
the whole, Dr. De Jong presents (not criticises) my views rather fairly and
honestly. This is not true of my conception of the relation between election
and reprobation. Dr. De Jong ought to know, is in a position to know, that the
way he presents it is not my view.
The
book is not entirely negative, as is that of Dr. Daane. The author also defends
his own view of the “well-meant” offer. Nevertheless, in this he develops nothing
new.
That
I cannot agree with the views expressed in this book is so well-known that I
would but have to fall into endless repetition if I should criticise the book
in this respect. Dr. De Jong’s view is not Reformed, any more than that of
Heyns and of the “Three Points.” Fundamentally, he must have nothing of the
Reformed truth of reprobation. This, to my mind, is very serious.
In
this conviction I am rather unexpectedly supported by J. Kamphuis in the Reformatie, number 38, 1954, a liberated
theologian. May I refer Dr. De Jong to what he writes on this subject in
connection with his book?
Dr.
De Jong’s exegesis of Romans 9 is clearly a distortion, not an explanation of
the text.
Finally,
I would ask Dr. De Jong to give an answer to the question which we, in 1924,
sent all over the Reformed church world, and to several Reformed theologians: What grace do the reprobate receive in and
through the preaching of the gospel?
H.H.
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