“A Kinder, Gentler Calvinism”

pp. 11 - 13

Many Calvinists sees the non-salvific divine favor exhibited in 1) natural gifts like rain, 2) restraining of evil, 3) positive acts of civil righteousness. But surely there are others: marriage reconciliation between unbelievers, accompanied by repentance and healing. There are lots of ways in which non-salvific grace appears to work. Relational sensitivities on the job, say, may be managed by grace. These need theological understanding of institutions and roles. What’s needed is understanding of God’s accomplishing purposes in life’s little events: micro-obedience, patience, attention to mystery. “The call to radical micro-obedience may mean patiently listening to someone who is boring or irritating, or treating a fellow sinner with a charity that is not easy to muster, or offering detailed advice on a matter that seems trivial to everyone but the person asking for the advice.”