Are the Gifts which God Gives "Good" Gifts?

(I)

Prof. Herman Hanko

[Source: Protestant Reformed Theological Journal, vol. 27, no. 2 (April 1994), pp. 23-24]

In a way, this is an important question, for it is at this point that there is confusion and misunderstanding. The defenders of common grace often accuse those who deny common grace of refusing to acknowledge the good gifts of God.

Let it be clearly understood: the good gifts which God gives are indeed good. James 1:17 is decisive: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

It is quite obvious to anyone who thinks about it that God cannot give bad gifts. He is in Himself good. He is good in all that He does. The creation which He has made is a good creation. Even the curse which He brings upon it because of the sin of man is good. In all His works and ways our God is good, good in the absolute sense of the word.

Thus the gifts which He gives are also good gifts. They cannot be anything else. With open and lavish hand, He bestows good gifts on men. Rain and sunshine, health and well-being are good gifts. No one has, so far as I know, ever denied this.

Whether these good gifts speak of a gracious attitude of God towards all is quite another question. But the gifts are good; of that there can be no question at all. Those who refuse to believe that Scripture teaches any kind of common grace do not deny God's good gifts. Let that be clearly understood.

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(II)

More to come! (DV)