Divine grace

"God's grace" redirects here. For the Bernard Malamud novel, see God's Grace.
Divine grace is a theological term present in many religions. It has been defined as
the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous
impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation;[1] and as an individual
virtue or excellence of divine origin.[2]
Contents

ChristianityEdit
Main articles: Grace in Christianity, Irresistible grace, Prevenient grace, and Sola gratia
Grace in Christianity is the free and unmerited favour of God as manifested in
the salvation of sinners and the bestowing of blessings.[3]Common Christian teaching is that
grace is unmerited mercy (favor) that God gave to humanity by sending his Son, Jesus Christ,
to die on a cross, thus securing man's eternal salvation from sin. Bill Gothard, an American
conservative Christian, has suggested "God's grace gives us the desire and the power to do his
will."[4]
Within Christianity, there are differing concepts of how grace is attained. In particular,
Catholics and Reformed Protestants understand the attainment of grace in substantially
different ways. It has been described as "the watershed that
divides Catholicism from Protestantism, Calvinism from Arminianism, modern liberalism
from conservatism".[5] Catholic doctrine teaches that God has imparted Divine Grace upon
humanity and uses the vehicle of sacraments, which are carried out in faith,[6] as a primary
and effective means to facilitate the reception of his grace.[7] For
Catholics, sacraments (carried out in faith) are the incarnational or tangible vehicle through
which God's grace becomes personally and existentially received.[8] Reformed Protestants,
generally, do not share this sacramental view on the transmittal of grace,[9]but instead favor a
less institutionalized mechanism. For example, in the Catholic Church, the primary initiation
into a state of grace is granted by God through baptism (in faith)[10] instead of by a simple
prayer of faith (sinner's prayer); although, Catholics would not deny the possible efficacy of
even a simple prayer for God's grace to flow (Baptism by desire[11][12]).
In another example, for Catholics, the sacrament of reconciliation (in faith) is the primary
means of transmitting grace after a mortal sin has been committed.[13] Many graces are
historically associated to the prayer of the holy Rosary; also, the tradition held by
Dominicans reports of the fifteen rosary promises made by the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint
Dominic and Alan de Rupe in favour of Christians who faithfully pray the Rosary.
Scriptural usageEdit
In the New Testament, the word translated as grace is the Greek
word charis (/ˈkeɪrɪs/; Ancient Greek: χάρις), for which Strong's Concordance gives this
definition: "Graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal,
figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the
life; including gratitude)".[14][15] A Greek word that is related to charis is charisma (gracious
gift). Both these words originated from another Greek word chairo (to rejoice, be glad,
delighted).[16]
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term used is chen[17][18] (‫)חֵ ן‬, which is defined in Strong's
as "favor, grace or charm; grace is the moral quality of kindness, displaying a favorable
disposition".[19] In the King James translation, chen is translated as "grace" 38 times,
"favour" 26 times, twice as "gracious",[20] once as "pleasant",[21] and once as "precious".[22]
HinduismEdit
Main article: Kripa (philosophy)
Hindu devotional or bhakti literature available throughout India and Nepal is replete with
references to grace (kripa) as the ultimate key required for spiritual self-
realization.[23][additional citation(s) needed] Some, such as the ancient sage Vasistha, in his classical
work Yoga Vasistha, considered it to be the only way to transcend the bondage of lifetimes
of karma.[24] One Hindu philosopher, Madhvacharya, held that grace was not a gift from
God, but rather must be earned.[25]
IslamEdit
Main article: Fadl (Islam)
Umar Sulayman al-Ashqar, dean of the Faculty of Islamic Law at Zarqa Private
University in Zarqa, Jordan, wrote that "Paradise is something of immense value; a person
cannot earn it by virtue of his deeds alone, but by the Grace and Mercy of Allah."[26] This
stance is supported by hadith: according to Abu Huraira, prophet Muhammad once said that
"None amongst you can get into Paradise by virtue of his deeds alone ... not even I, but that
Allah should wrap me in his grace and mercy."[27]
See alsoEdit