In Western Christian theology, grace is “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it”, “Grace is favour, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.” It is a central theological theme in the Bible.
The nature of grace in Christian theology is considered in this article. It clarifies what the Bible teaches about grace, examines the various dimensions and expressions of grace as set forth in the Bible, addresses the relationship between grace and human works and the Old Testament law, explains that grace is a category that describes both God’s disposition toward people and his actions on people’s behalf, describes how the tradition of interpretation defines grace, and explores its implications for life in Christ. The dialogue discusses the perception of this mercy of God as a principle of the Christian faith.
What does Grace mean in Christianity?
In Christian theology, grace is the free and unmerited favour of God. It is not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8,9); it cannot be merited by human exertion or worthiness. The idea comes straight from the Bible.
What is Grace according to the Bible?
There are various key words and concepts in the Bible, by which it defines grace. The main New Testament Greek word is charis (χάρις), which means favor, benefit, or kindness. In the Hebrew Bible, the Hebrew word chen (חֵן) represents favor or grace. These are terms of we/and not of if/then in relation to God’s attitude and activity toward mankind.
What are some biblical references that tell me about Grace?
Many verses of the Bible discuss grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This verse is clear, it ties salvation with grace, not works of any sort of human type. God’s grace is presented in Titus 2:11-12 as having appeared to all and teaching Christians to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Romans 3:23-24 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift.” These texts, among others, couch grace as a divine act of the will, unearned and indispensable for salvation and holy living.
What are the various dimensions or kinds of Grace in Christian theology?
Christian theology describes several aspects or types of grace, depending on the number of views of God’s relationship to creation in grace. Though the general idea of grace as gratuitous favour is prevalent, theologians generally find separate definitions, distinctions, and division within the subject/grace.
What is Common Grace?
Common grace is God’s continued goodness and care for all of humanity, even those who don’t believe in God or don’t follow God. This would encompass natural creation, human conscience, civil order that is conducive to good and a check upon evil, and the common gifts of life, like rain, sunshine, and bread. Acts 14:17 refers to this general benevolence when it speaks of God giving rain and fruitful seasons, filling hearts with food and gladness. No, common grace does not save, but it gives a frame for the life of a human and displays the goodness of God even to those who don’t believe in him.
What is Saving Grace?
Saving grace is God’s own particular grace that results in salvation. This grace is peculiar to such as believe in Jesus Christ. It is the power of God to convict of sin, to cause faith, to regenerate the soul, to justify the sinner with God, and to save him to the end of days. As we triumph in the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9 (which thus connects saving-grace with salvation). This grace is life-changing and brings healing with God.
What is Prevenient Grace?
Prevenient grace is a theological concept in Arminianism, and is the idea that before a sinner can choose God, God must “first have loved him and sought him.”. It is the grace that acts in advance of the sinner, which can without the latter’s freedom be able to arrive at a free burst, where the sinner is moved to turn toward God and responds to God’s call, to accept the free salvation which can be offered to the sinner. This grace is believed to be an offer to everyone to choose God, resisting the effects of sin that can hinder one’s acceptance of or response to God. But it is the grace which enables and makes it possible for faith to take place, not the grace which compels or leads inevitably to faith. It is sometimes supported by scripture reference such as John 12:32 (“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself”) to refer to God’s drawing all people.
What is Justifying Grace?
Justifying grace is the grace of God which makes us righteous in his sight. This justification is not on the basis of the merit of the sinner, but is the result of the imputed righteousness of Christ as it is apprehended by faith. Romans 3:24 says that people “are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Grace of justification has reference to the legal status of the sinner in relation to God, namely, his status as subject to the condemnation or the approval of the law.
What is Sanctifying Grace?
It is the work of God’s grace in the life of the believer after one has been justified. This grace enables them to increase in holiness, to triumph over sin, to live the good life of God. It is the work of being conformed to Christ. Philippians 1:6 also says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Sanctifying grace is not an event that takes place once and for all, but a reality that permeates the whole of the life of the believer, reproducing in the believer the very nature of Christ. This processing work of the Holy Spirit applies to all of life. It is also cooperative (God with grace, us with the practice of spiritual disciplines and obedience).
How then does Grace in Christianity refer to human works?
The contrast between grace and works of man is a characteristic of Christian theology. The whole matter of gift is set forth on a plane of salvation unconnected with, and against the claim of, works on the part of God.
Is salvation by works of man?
Salvation is not by human works as grace teaches. Both verses 8 and 9 of Ephesians 2 do not leave a doubt when we are told that salvation is “not of works.” This is the clear antithesis of grace or addition to grace by law-keeping or working. Romans 11:6 supports this distinction, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.” Human performance will not be able to close the sin gap; only God’s grace can save us.
What is the place of good works after a person has been given Grace?
Though works are not the cause of salvation, they are the necessary and inevitable product and evidence of real saving grace. For we are taught, that he has created us in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before prepared that we should walk in them. Good works are the effect of salvation, not the cause. That is a display of a changed heart and a life full of God’s Spirit. James 2:17 also teaches, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This does not mean works save, but that real saving faith is living and results in good works. The relationship is that of cause and effect: grace is the cause of salvation leading to good works.
What is the history of the doctrine of Grace in Christianity?
Grace remains a focal theme in the Christian theological tradition, some of which developed and was debated over centuries. Grace was shaped by key periods and figures.
How did early Church Fathers understand Grace?
The early church fathers highlighted the dependence on grace, contrasting it with pagan concepts of merit in a simple sentence. I.e, Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) helped the Catholic church to formulate a theology of grace in his battle against Pelagianism. Pelagius contended that human beings could take the first steps toward salvation and make their salvation effective by exercising free will and effort; this view mitigated the effects of original sin and the need for divine grace. Augustine had shown in no uncertain terms that man is hopelessly evil after the Fall and that God’s sovereign grace-of which Augustine’s contemporary Pelagius was entirely skeptical-is necessary in order for man to believe and be saved. His opinions had a powerful impact on later Western Christian thought.
What were the consequences of the Reformation for the doctrine of Grace?
With the 16th century Protestant Reformation, the gospel of the grace of God became a major theme, expressed in the Sola Gracia (“Grace Alone”) of the Reformers. Reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin reacted against what they viewed as the medieval Catholic continuation of adding the merits of man and the sacraments to justification. They maintained that salvation was by grace alone through faith alone on the basis of Christ alone as revealed to us by the Bible alone for the glory of God alone. This confirmed once again that grace is undeserved and that it is enough to save.
What are some theologies of Grace that exist in the present?
Today, there are still distinct theological views on grace within Christianity. Calvinism and Arminianism are among the main viewpoints. Calvinism in most forms teaches that God has elected certain individuals to salvation and not to others; the election of those who will be saved is not a result of their faith and good works or foreseen merit, but is unconditionally predestined. Arminianism lays stress on man’s free will and God’s prevenient grace that allows all to respond to the gospel, hence making saving grace resistible. There are others, of course, but these two are major streams on the issue of the nature and working function of grace. There are also “tendencies” and “emphasis” in each of those three broad groups of things called “grace” (and others) and other theological perspectives that highlight specific aspects of the broader definitions of grace, for example Eastern Orthodox perspectives that would underscore deification (becoming like God), facilitated by grace, Catholic theology that would distinguish between “sanctifying” or “habitual” grace and “actual” grace.
What are the pastoral implications of Grace in the believer’s life?
Grace doctrine has very practical applications for the way a Christian lives out life each day. It forms perspectives on salvation, purpose in life, connection with God, and interaction with other people.
In what way does Grace affect the assurance of a believer’s salvation?
Grace is a sound foundation for security as to salvation. Because salvation is based on God’s grace and not on human effort, a believer’s confidence is not dependent on their own relative worthiness or perceived righteousness. There is a transition from this self scrutiny to a confidence in God’s faithfulness and the completed work of Christ. “But there is now no condemnation for people who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). This omission have its source in the favour already provided in Christ.
In what way is Grace the inspiration of Christian living?
Love is to be the nature of a Christian life, is based on grace, and not on duty or fear of grace. The conviction that one certainly received freely such a great gift causes one to want to please God, to live in obedience. According to Titus 2:11-12, traditional Episcopalians believe that grace is a teacher, and it teaches people to live like God. This obedience is a gift of grace and not the condition of grace. They’re things like doing good to others, forgiving, desiring holiness from a heart renewed by grace.
Other than that, what impact do you think Grace has on other people?
Grace changes the way you interact with other people. Through grace and undeserved favor we received from God, believers are to extend grace to others, through forgiveness and mercy. Ephesians 4:32 commands the believer to be, “kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” This is the way grace is – the recipients of grace become chanelers of grace. It promotes a humility, patience, and a spirit of service, seeing things from the perspective of the common humanity and the need of the grace of God.
What are the facts that Christianity is based on?
The foundation of the Christian faith is the person and work of Jesus Christ as presented in the Bible. Core doctrines include the belief that God is Trinitarian (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); that Jesus is divine and human; his crucifixion for humanity’s sin; his resurrection, and that salvation comes from grace and through faith in him. The Bible is the final scripture in Christianity and remains the basis for Christian theology and doctrine.
What is the importance of the trinity in Christianity?
The Trinity means that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are three “persons” who are co-equal and co-eternal within one divine essence. This is a fundamental teaching, outlining the God of the Bible as written in the Bible.
How many books are there in the Christian Bible?
The Christian Bible is made up of 66 books in the Protestant canon: 39 in Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Old Testament canons of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches include other books.
Which are the main Christian feasts?
The two principal Christian holidays are Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus, and Easter, which honors his resurrection. Other important events are Lent, Advent and Pentecost. There are lots of holidays and 2 major holidays are Christmas and Easter.
What is the Great Commission?
The Great Commission is a directive for Jesus’ followers as given in Matthew 28:19-20 to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey his commands. It is widely accepted as a central aim of Christian mission.
What do we mean by Sacraments and Ordinances in the Christian Religion?
In many Christian churches, the sacraments are a primary way that God communicates with people; they are a means for humans to participate in God’s redemptive work in them by his grace. Some of the most common include Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (also known as Communion). Some traditions, however, include the sacraments of Confirmation and Reconciliation (penance) as sacraments of initiation; they trace a quasi-sacramental link between nourishing and initiation to this, if only by reference to the 1 Cor 11,20.33 and the custom of admitting children to Eucharistic communion. Among these, Catholics are the most traditional and systematic, maintaining that there are seven sacraments.
What is sin according to Christianity?
In Christianity, sin is believed to be an alienation from God’s nature and will. It is a root affliction of all mankind, because of the Fall of Adam and Eve, requiring God’s divine solution.
What does prayer mean to a Christian?
Christian prayer is talking to God. It is made up of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication (asking for needs). Prayer may be classified as individual or corporate and is most often referred to as a personal relationship between the prayer and God.
