The History of the Free Offer

by Herman Hanko

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239 Pages

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In the introduction to The History of the Free Offer, Professor Herman Hanko writes, “It is difficult to find today a denomination, whether of Reformed or Presbyterian persuasion, which has not committed itself, either officially or unofficially, to the idea of the free offer.”

The purpose of the book is not to examine in detail the doctrinal issues involved in the free offer of the gospel but rather to trace the development of the idea through church history. Professor Hanko considers such issues as the origin of the free offer, how it crept into the church, how it developed and if it has stood in the mainstream of the development of the truth or otherwise. He answers the question, Is the free offer really a fundamental aspect of Reformed theology, as many claim it is, or is it something that has been consistently and repeatedly repudiated by the church when it has stood doctrinally strong?

The book covers a broad sweep of New Testament church history, from Augustine and the Semi-Pelagian controversy, through to the Reformers Luther and Calvin, and on to more modern times with the controversy in the Christian Reformed Church in 1924. The author covers the Arminian controversy and the Synod of Dordt, the development of Amyraldianism, Davenant and the Westminster Assembly, the Marrow Controversy, and the opinions of early and later Dutch theologians.

The conclusion drawn is clear and unambiguous. At all times in the history of the New Testament church concessions to the free offer of the gospel have been made because certain ideas closely associated with it have gained acceptance. These ideas include a certain freedom of the will of man, a double will of God which both desires the salvation of all men and the salvation only of the elect simultaneously, a general grace which all receive and a special grace which is conditionally granted upon the choice of the will, and a general love of God for all which is expressed in the desire of God to save all. The author points out that it is when these defective ideas gain acceptance in the church that the free offer of the gospel is adopted as a natural and unavoidable consequence. This was the case during the Semi-Pelagian controversy; it was the case during Reformation times; it led to the development of Amyraldianism; it was instrumental in the Marrow controversy; and it was also the case during the controversy in the Christian Reformed Church in 1924. Indeed, in more contemporary times, it is precisely the case amongst those who hold to the free offer today.

The book closes with an analysis and a positive statement which covers some of the doctrinal issues involved. It sets forth the truth of Scripture against the errors of the free offer. It makes a clear distinction between the proper biblical position of the preaching of the gospel and the false views: on the one hand, the free offer of the gospel and, on the other hand, Hyper-Calvinism which limits the preaching of the gospel to the elect alone.

Overall, the book is a fine history of the development of free offer thinking that is both instructional and enjoyable to read. Highly recommended for those who want to gain a better understanding of the ideas and reasoning of those who promote the free offer and who want a better idea of its historical development.

Terry Casey, Limerick