Prevenient grace

Prevenient grace (or preceding grace or enabling grace) is a Christian theological concept that refers to the grace of God in a person's life which precedes and prepares to conversion. The concept was first developed by Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430), was affirmed by the Second Council of Orange (529) and has become part of Catholic theology. It is also present in Reformed theology, through the form of an effectual calling leading some individuals irresistibly to salvation. It is rooted in Arminian theology, according to which it is dispensed universally in order to enable people to respond to the offer of salvation, though it does not ensure personal acceptance.

Definition

The concept of "prevenient grace" was originated and developed by Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430),^[1][2] based on St. Ambrose's (c. 339 – c. 397) writings.^[3] Prevenient grace refers to the grace of God in a person's life that precedes conversion.^[2] The original expression (Latin: gratia praeveniens) means literally "grace that precedes". The English expression comes from an archaic usage of the word "prevenient" meaning "preceding".^[4] This concept have a similar meaning with the concept of "vocation" or "calling".^[5]

There are some variations of understanding of the prevenient grace, in terms of intend of God:

• In Arminian theology, it is an enabling grace which helps to believe.^[6][7]
• In Roman Catholicism theology, it is an assisting grace which helps to believe.^[8][9]
• In Reformed theology, it is comparable simultaneously to two concepts: common grace^[10][11][12] which doesn't improve man's depraved unregenerate nature and has no salvific purpose and the effectual calling by which God calls to irresistibly believe.^[13][14]

When grace is considered with regard to its effects, prevenient grace is differentiated from subsequent grace.^[15] The nature of subsequent grace differs depending on the view on the deterministic or non-deterministic nature of the providence of God : For example, John Wesley, named 2 forms of subsequent grace : "justifying grace" (also called saving grace) and "sanctifying grace". Both of those subsequent forms of grace are resistible.^[12] On the contrary Calvinists have considered the justifying grace as an irresistible grace.^[16]

History

Origins

The notion of "prevenient grace" (Latin: Gratia praeveniens) was developed by Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430),^[1] along with the notions of "operative grace" and the "cooperative grace".^[2] In reaction to Pelagianism, Augustine's stated that prevenient grace is necessary to prepare the human will for conversion.^[2] Pelagius had appealed to St. Ambrose (c. 339 – c. 397), to which Augustine replied a series of quotations from Ambrose which indicated the need for prevenient grace.^[3] Moreover, Augustine named the free will devoid of the help of prevenient grace, "captive free will" (Latin: liberum arbitrium captivatum).^[17] And, by the action of the grace, it becomes a "freed will" or literally a "freed free will" (Latin: liberum arbitrium liberatum).^[18]

Developments

In 529, at the Second Council of Orange, the question at hand was whether the doctrines of Augustine on God's providence were to be affirmed, or if Semi-Pelagianism could be affirmed. Semi-Pelagianism was a moderate form of Pelagianism which teaches that the first step of salvation is by human will and not the grace of God.^[19]

The determination of the Council could be considered "semi-Augustinian".^[20][21][22] It defined that faith, though a free act of man, resulted, even in its beginnings, from the grace of God, enlightening the human mind and enabling belief.^[23][24][25] This describes the operation of prevenient grace allowing the unregenerate to repent in faith.^[26][27] On the other hand, the Council of Orange condemned the Augustinian teaching of predestination to damnation.^[28]

The canons of the Council directly quoted Augustine's work related on the concept of prevenient grace (Canons 1, 2, 5, 6, 7)^[29] Boniface II (died in 532) writing to Caesarius of Arles, confirmed the notion of prevenient grace : "[W]e confirm by the authority of the Apostolic See your confession, in which in the Opposite way you explain that right faith in Christ and the beginning of all good will, according to Catholic truth, is inspired in the minds of individuals by the preceding grace of God."^[30]

In Arminian theology

Classical Arminianism

Prevenient grace is a concept rooted in Arminian theology.^[31] Jacobus Arminius affirmed total depravity but believed that prevenient grace enables people to respond to God's offer of salvation:

"Concerning grace and free will, this is what I teach according to the Scriptures and orthodox consent: Free will is unable to begin or to perfect any true and spiritual good, without grace. …This grace [prævenit] goes before, accompanies, and follows; it excites, assists, operates that we will, and co operates lest we will in vain."^[32]

Theologian Robert E. Picirilli writes, quoting Arminius, that: "What Arminius meant by "prevenient grace" was that grace that precedes actual regeneration and which, except when finally resisted, inevitably leads to regeneration. He was quick to observe that this "assistance of the Holy Spirit" is of such sufficiency "as to keep at the greatest possible distance from Pelagianism."^[4]

Wesleyan Arminianism

Main article: Wesleyan theology

John Wesley in his sermon #85, "On Working Out Our Own Salvation", stated that :

"prevenient grace elicits the first wish to please God, the first dawn of light concerning His will, and the first slight transient conviction of having sinned against Him."

Wesley insisted on prevenient grace as a solution to two great problems in Christianity: the belief of original sin and the Protestant doctrine of salvation by grace alone.^[33]

Thomas Oden defines prevenient grace as "the grace that begins to enable one to choose further to cooperate with saving grace. By offering the will the restored capacity to respond to grace, the person then may freely and increasingly become an active, willing participant in receiving the conditions for justification."^[34]

Wesleyans generally distinguish two forms of call related to prevenient grace : 1. A universal call which is the secret influence of the Holy Spirit upon the conscience. 2. A direct call through the revealed word as found in the Holy Scriptures.^[5]

John Wesley adapted the Articles of Religion, which for use by American Methodists. With very similar language between it and Article VII of the Manual, Article VIII states, "The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing [preceding] us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will" (emphasis added), language that was taken directly from Article X of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion adopted by the Church of England in 1563."^[35]

The Article VIII is official doctrine for many Wesleyan or Holiness movement denominations such as the United Methodist Church,^[36] the Church of the Nazarene,^[37] or the Pillar of Fire Church.^[38]

Infant baptism is seen in Methodism as a celebration of prevenient grace. Although infant baptism is important for the life journey of the faithful disciple, it is not essential.^[39]

Most Methodist hymnals have a section with hymns concerning prevenient grace, most recently The United Methodist Hymnal (1989). One of the best known hymns written about the doctrine is Charles Wesley's "Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast", which includes the lines, "Ye need not one be left behind, for God hath bid all humankind… the invitation is to all" (emphasis added).^[40]

Objections

Some Calvinists (and others) derisively refer to the Wesleyan concept of prevenient grace as "universal enablement." They characterize the Wesleyan view as teaching that God has restored to every individual the ability to seek after God and choose salvation and as not being justified by the Bible.^[41][42]

They argue that because this grace is supposedly given to all alike, the determining factor in salvation becomes the will of man. They see this dependence on the will and choice of the individual as a good work required for salvation and thus an implicit rejection of salvation by grace alone.^[43]

Wesleyans object that, according to their view, both the initiation and the activation of salvation is by grace alone; first through prevenient grace, then through justifying grace.^[43][33] Secondarily, concerning the determining factor in salvation, they remark that Calvinism teaches the compatibility of divine determinism and moral responsibility.^[44] In this Calvinist perspective, man is responsible for his choice when he acts voluntarily, even if his will is determined by God. Thus, as man comes to faith voluntarily, it follows that man is morally responsible for his faith. Then, it seems that if Calvinists want to remain consistent with their own thesis, they cannot affirm that the moral responsibility of the choice of faith makes this choice a good work.^[45]

In Roman Catholic theology

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit. Every time we begin to pray to Jesus it is the Holy Spirit who draws us on the way of prayer by his prevenient grace."^[46]

The Second Council of Orange of 529 stated that faith, though a free act, resulted even in its beginnings from the grace of God, enlightening the human mind and enabling belief.^[19]

In Canon 18 it is said "That grace is preceded by no merits. A reward is due to good works, if they are performed; but grace, which is not due, precedes, that they may be done [St. Prosper]."^[47] In canon 23 it is said that God prepares our wills that they may desire the good.^[48] Canon 25 states, "In every good work, it is not we who begin… but He (God) first inspires us with faith and love of Him, through no preceding merit on our part."^[49]

Prevenient grace was discussed in the fifth chapter of the sixth session of the Council of Trent (1545–63) which used the phrase: "a Dei per dominum Christum Iesum praeveniente gratia" (rendered "a predisposing grace of God through Jesus Christ").^[50] Those who turned from God by sins are disposed by God's grace to turn back and become justified by freely assenting to that grace.

In Reformed theology

Calvinists have their own doctrine of prevenient grace, which they identify with the effectual calling and which is immediately and necessarily followed by faith. Because of the necessity of salvation following this dispensation of prevenient grace, the justifying grace is called irresistible grace.^[13][14]

Wesleyan prevenient grace also contrasts with the Calvinist understanding of common grace by which God shows general mercy to everyone, restrains sin, and gives humankind a knowledge of God and of their sinfulness and need of rescue from sin.^[11][10][12]

Objections

Common grace is thus said to leave people without excuse. Arminians object that Calvinist common grace leaves people absolutely incapable of coming to God (a point on which Calvinists agree) and thus do not believe it leaves them without excuse.^[33]

Notes and references

Citations

1. Stewart 2014, p. 131. "[...] to [Augustine] we owe the term gratia praeveniens [...]".
2. McGrath 2001, p. 356.
3. Fitzgerald 1999.
4. Picirilli 2002, p. 153.
5. Wiley 1940, ch. 26. "Vocation or Call is further distinguished as the Indirect or universal call, and the Direct or immediate call [...] By the Universal Call, or Vocatio Catholica, is meant that secret influence exerted upon the consciences of men, apart from the revealed Word as found in the Holy Scriptures."
6. Schwartz & Bechtold 2015, p. 165.
7. Forlines 2011, pp. 20–24.
8. Endres 2012, p. 79.
9. Ray 2022, p. 206.
10. Cox 1969, p. 144.
11. Pinson 2022, p. 197.
12. Shelton 2015.
13. Cunningham 2022. "[...] contrasting [the Arminian doctrines of universal vocation and sufficient grace] with the doctrines generally held by Calvinists, in regard to effectual calling and efficacious grace."
14. Grudem 1994, p. 692.
15. Aquinas 1954, Art. 3. "[S]ince God’s love means something eternal, it can never be called other than prevenient. Grace, however, signifies an effect in time, which can precede one effect and follow another. It may therefore be called both prevenient and subsequent. [G]race is not divided into prevenient and subsequent grace in respect of its essence, but solely in respect of its effects [...].
16. Hägglund 2007, pp. 139–140.
17. McGrath 2005, p. 26.
18. McGrath 2005, p. 27.
19. Stanglin & McCall 2012, p. 160.
20. Oakley 1988, p. 64.
21. Thorsen 2007, ch. 20.3.4.
22. Bounds 2011.
23. Denzinger 1954, ch. Second Council of Orange, art. 5-7.
24. Pickar 1981, p. 797.
25. Cross 2005, p. 701.
26. Olson 2009, p. 81.
27. Stanglin & McCall 2012, p. 153.
28. Denzinger 1954, ch. Second Council of Orange, art. 199. "We not only do not believe that some have been truly predestined to evil by divine power, but also with every execration we pronounce anathema upon those, if there are [any such], who wish to believe so great an evil."
29. Denzinger 1954, ch. Second Council of Orange.
30. Denzinger 1954, ch. Confirmation of the Council of Orange II, Item 200.
31. Bettenson 1970, pp. 204–205.
32. Arminius 1853, p. 472.
33. Cox 1969, pp. 147–148.
34. Oden 1994, p. 243.
35. Melton 2005, p. 48.
36. UMPH 2004, Section 1: Our Doctrinal Heritage: Distinctive Wesleyan Emphases. "[Prevenient grace is] the divine love that surrounds all humanity and precedes any and all of our conscious impulses. This grace prompts our first wish to please God, our first glimmer of understanding concerning God's will, and our 'first slight transient conviction' of having sinned against God. God's grace also awakens in us an earnest longing for deliverance from sin and death and moves us toward repentance and faith."
37. NPH 2017, art 7, Section: Prevenient Grace.
38. PF 1948, p. 39.
39. Manns & Meyer 1984, p. 141. "When modern Methodists expound infant baptism, they think first of "prevenient grace", for which infant baptism is said to be an effective, or at least a useful, sign."
40. Westerfield Tucker 2011, p. 172.
41. Erickson 1990, p. 925. "It is here that many Arminians, recognizing human inability as taught in the Scripture, introduce the concept of prevenient grace, which is believed to have a universal effect nullifying the noetic results of sin, thus making belief possible. The problem is that there is no clear and adequate basis in Scripture for this concept of universal enablement."
42. Schreiner & Ware 1995, p. 382. "Prevenient grace is attractive because it solves so many problems [for the Wesleyan], but it should be rejected because it cannot be exegetically vindicated." sfn error: no target: CITEREFSchreinerWare1995 (help)
43. Coords 2021.
44. Helm 2010, p. 230. "[Calvin] holds that this determinism is compatible with human responsibility."
45. Bigon 2018, p. 231-232. "Praiseworthiness and blameworthiness are the two sides of the one same coin of moral responsibility. If one goes, the other one goes with it, and denying praiseworthiness would, I’m afraid, come at the cost of denying blameworthiness also, which is unacceptable given orthodox views of divine judgment. The burden of much of the present work has been to defend the compatibility of moral responsibility with determinism, in the obvious hope of maintaining the truth of both of them. So determinists ought not deny any moral praiseworthiness for righteous deeds, as there is no asymmetry at that level between praiseworthiness for the good and blameworthiness for evil: both are entailed by human moral responsibility."
46. John Paul II 1993, item 2670.
47. Denzinger 1954, ch. Second Council of Orange, Canon 18.
48. Denzinger 1954, ch. Second Council of Orange, Canon 23.
49. Denzinger 1954, ch. Second Council of Orange, Canon 25.
50. Waterworth 1848, Session 6, ch. 5.

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