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external calling first, and then to take up the discussion of internal calling in connection with
that of regeneration.
b. The preparatory nature of external calling.
If we proceed on the assumption that the ordo
salutis deals with the effective application of the redemption wrought by Christ, we feel at once
that the external calling by the Word of God can, strictly speaking, hardly be called one of its
stages. As long as this calling does not, through the accompanying operation of the Holy Spirit,
turn into an internal and effectual calling, it has only a preliminary and preparatory significance.
Several Reformed theologians speak of it as a kind of common grace, since it does not flow
from the eternal election and the saving grace of God, but rather from His common goodness;
and since, while it sometimes produces a certain illumination of the mind, it does not enrich the
heart with the saving grace of God.[Cf. references above, pp. 304 f. and also a Marck,
Godgeleerdheid. XXIII. 3.]
c. The general nature of external calling.
While all the other movements of the Holy Spirit in
the ordo salutis terminate on the elect only, the external calling by the gospel has a wider
bearing. Wherever the gospel is preached, the call comes to the elect and the reprobate alike. It
serves the purpose, not merely of bringing the elect to faith and conversion, but also of
revealing the great love of God to sinners in general. By means of it God maintains His claim on
the obedience of all His rational creatures, restrains the manifestation of sin, and promotes
civic righteousness, external morality, and even outward religious exercises.[Cf. Bavinck, Geref.
Dogm. IV, pp. 7 f.]
B. CALLING IN GENERAL.
Since external calling is but an aspect of calling in general, we shall have to consider this briefly
before entering upon a discussion of external calling.
1. THE AUTHOR OF OUR CALLING.
Our calling is a work of the triune God. It is first of all a work
of the Father, I Cor. 1:9; I Thess. 2:12; I Pet. 5:10. But the Father works all things through the
Son; and so this calling is also ascribed to the Son, Matt. 11:28; Luke 5:32; John 7:37; Rom.
1:6(?). And Christ, in turn, calls through His Word and Spirit, Matt. 10:20; John 15:26; Acts
5:31,32.
2. VOCATIO REALIS AND VERBALIS.
Reformed theologians generally speak of a vocatio realis, as
distinguished from the vocatio verbalis. By this they mean the external call that comes to men
through God’s general revelation, a revelation of the law and not of the gospel, to
acknowledge, fear, and honour God as their Creator. It comes to them in things (res) rather
than in words: in nature and history, in the environment in which they live, and in the
experiences and vicissitudes of their lives, Ps. 19:1-4; Acts 16:16,17; 17:27; Rom. 1:19-21;