Divine Grace

Definition

Divine grace refers to the unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity, enabling individuals to achieve salvation and live a life aligned with divine will. It plays a central role in Augustine's thought, emphasizing that human beings are incapable of saving themselves without God's assistance, highlighting the relationship between faith, sin, and redemption in a theological context.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Augustine argued that divine grace is essential for overcoming original sin and achieving salvation, emphasizing humanity's dependence on God's mercy.
2. He believed that grace is not earned through good works but is given freely by God, underscoring the idea of unmerited favor.
3. Divine grace serves as a transformative force that enables individuals to live morally upright lives and pursue spiritual growth.
4. Augustine's understanding of divine grace contrasts with Pelagianism, which asserts that humans can achieve righteousness through their own efforts without the need for grace.
5. The concept of divine grace significantly influenced Western Christian thought, shaping discussions around free will, morality, and the nature of God.

Review Questions

• How does Augustine's view of divine grace contrast with Pelagian thought?
  • Augustine's view of divine grace emphasizes that humans cannot achieve righteousness on their own due to original sin; they need God's unmerited favor to attain salvation. In contrast, Pelagianism argues that individuals can choose to do good without the necessity of divine grace, relying on their own efforts. This fundamental disagreement led to significant theological debates about the nature of human agency and divine assistance in the journey toward salvation.
• Discuss the implications of divine grace for Augustine's understanding of morality and ethics.
  • For Augustine, divine grace is crucial in shaping moral behavior and ethical conduct. He believed that without grace, individuals are prone to sin and cannot achieve true goodness or virtue. Grace empowers believers to act according to God's will, enabling them to overcome sinful tendencies and strive for holiness. This reliance on grace fundamentally influences Augustine's moral framework, suggesting that ethical living is not solely based on human effort but requires divine intervention.
• Evaluate the role of divine grace in Augustine's political theology as presented in 'City of God' and its relevance today.
  • In 'City of God', Augustine presents divine grace as integral to understanding the relationship between the earthly city and the city of God. He argues that while human societies are flawed due to sin, divine grace offers redemption and hope for individuals. This notion is relevant today as it encourages a perspective on governance and society that recognizes human limitations while also highlighting the potential for transformation through grace. In contemporary discussions about justice and ethics in politics, Augustine's insights challenge us to consider how faith and grace can inform our approach to social issues.

Related terms

Original Sin: The doctrine that humanity is born with a sinful nature due to the fall of Adam and Eve, necessitating divine grace for salvation.

Predestination: The theological concept that God has already determined who will receive divine grace and achieve salvation, emphasizing God's sovereignty.

Faith: A fundamental belief in God that is necessary to receive divine grace, as it reflects trust and reliance on God's mercy and love.