This article features the very limited key mentions of the theological term 'grace', from my Doctorate.
The biblical concept of 'grace' was alluded to more so in the work than the actual word. This entry is based on uses of the word 'grace' and its meanings.
Please see Ephesians 1-2, as persons in Christ are saved by grace through faith for good works, and not by good works.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a key part in the transformation of persons into Christian believers. It is in fact an aspect of God’s participating in his creation and human salvation. Franke (2005: 53).
The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, Whale (1958: 124). Packer (1973: 59).
The Holy Spirit is the supreme agent of grace. Whale (1958: 124).
Free will
Luther dogmatically assumes that there is no middle way between God’s grace and human free will, and postulates that human free will should be theologically denied and everything should be ascribed to God. Luther (1525)(1972: 133).
Luther’s sovereignty perspective (Luther (1525)(1972: 123)) may place less emphasis on the human will than the later writings of Calvin and Feinberg. Luther is far more forceful in presentation that is Calvin and especially Feinberg. He is very forceful in his debate with Erasmus.
Essentially, Luther at least denies any type of human libertarian free will. He in today’s modern language, would be a compatibilist.
As a modern compatibilist, I do not deny significant human free will, but hold to limited free will. Human beings are secondary causes of what God wills as the primary cause. There can also be other secondary causes, such as human beings, demonic beings and angelic beings.
Human beings are not forced to commit thoughts, acts and actions that they would be hold morally accountable for by God. Moral accountability requires human beings to at least with limited free will, embrace these thoughts, acts and actions.
These are done semi-autonomously, but not fully autonomously.
If human beings are forced to commit thoughts, acts and actions, they are not morally accountable.
In contrast
There are incompatibilist, evangelical counters to the Reformed view.
Ephesians scholar Francis Foulkes (1989) explains that predestination is not in opposition to human free will. Foulkes (1989: 55). The gospel of grace was offered to all persons, and those persons that accepted the message were elected. Foulkes (1989: 55).
Foulkes insists that the human faith required rests totally on God and not in self. Foulkes (1989: 55). Frankly, Foulkes does not explain how this works within his incompatibilistic system.
Problems of evil and suffering
G.C. Berkouwer explains that ‘Man is-even when alienated from God-not alone.’ Berkouwer (1962: 183).
God has still gifted fallen humanity and there is a possible limitation to human corruption, that being the grace of Christ, and his words and work. Berkouwer (1962: 186-192).
Millard J. Erickson explains that God demonstrates his love through benevolence, grace, mercy, and persistence. Erickson (1994: 292).The love of God and Christ needs to be demonstrated within a Calvinistic sovereignty theodicy in order to serve as an effective form of practical theology for those suffering.
BERKOUWER, G.C. (1962) Man: The Image of God, Grand Rapids, W.M.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House. ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It? Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
FRANKE, JOHN R. (2005) The Character of Theology, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
PACKER, J.I. (1973) Knowing God, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.
LUTHER, MARTIN. (1516)(1968) Commentary On The Epistle To The Romans, Translated by J.Theodore Mueller, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
LUTHER, MARTIN. (1518)(1989) ‘Heidelberg Disputation’, in Timothy F. Lull (ed.), Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings, Minneapolis, Fortress Press.
LUTHER, MARTIN. (1525)(1972) ‘The Bondage of the Will’, in F.W. Strothmann and Frederick W. Locke (eds.), Erasmus-Luther: Discourse on Free Will, New York, Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., INC.
PACKER, J.I. (1996) ‘Regeneration’ in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books. WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books.
