Fr. John Hardon's Courses on Grace
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First Member
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PM
Member since 11/08/2003
Location: USA
I thought these might be of interest:Fr. Hardon's Courses on Grace
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Contact:
PM
Member since 11/08/2003
Location: USA
quote:
Originally posted by alcovey
While it is Christ who performs the action independently, the actual grace received is dependent upon the disposition of the recipient.
Again, there is a distinction between actual grace and sanctifying grace. We receive sanctifying grace regardless. Actual grace is a subject different from justification (the topic we have been discussing with Reformed and revcort).
It is the fruits of grace which depend on the recipient's faith and piety.
Edited by Diana Holberg on 09/28/2008 04:45:14
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PM
Member since 05/10/2002
Location: USA
Yes, it's that distinction that is different in the two theologies.....I've never heard of any Protestant theology divide it into those categories....I'm assuming that Reformed, for instance, would see no point in God giving sanctifying grace to any of the 'non-elect' - that would be 'wasted', so to speak. But, let's apply that to the Eucharist - we see Christ's actual Presence there, regardless of the recipient's faith....so it becomes even detrimental to those who receive unworthily because grace is there in spite of their disposition.
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Contact:
PM
Member since 11/08/2003
Location: USA
How can grace be wasted when it serves as a constant call to return to the Lord?
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PM
Member since 05/11/2002
Some writers indicate that seeing someone else fall away can serve as a way for God to reiterate the call for perseverance and repentence. The elect see another fall away, and come away from it saying, "that's not going to be me."
It is His way of writing straight with crooked lines.
What I think keeps getting confusing for folks from the Reformed camp is that, while they are right about the fact that one is either elect or reprobate (in the end), we don't know with certainty which we are on this side, and it is our lives, and how Grace interacts with them, that determines whether, at the end, we are elect or reprobate. We must take heed, lest we fall. We should always have faith in and trust in the mercy of God, but never presume that we are among the elect. Complacency in the spiritual life is the ally of the devil, like the parable of the rich man whose life was taken because he had stored up everything and thought he could relax. Paul speaks so often of the analogy to athletics, and the need for constant training and running the race to its completion; it's quite similar, really, to the parable of the sower. Some receive the Word and believe it with great joy, but lack sufficient roots and fall away in a time of trial, or the worries of the world consume them. There, but for the Grace of God, go I.
"You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You." St. Augustine of Hippo
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Fifth Member
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PM
Member since 12/05/2006
Location: Australia
quote:
Originally posted by alcovey
I need to go back and read it in more detail, I just wanted to get the material up to give it exposure and discuss it with those who might not otherwise read it. Perhaps I will start another thread in the Theological section for that, as it's more specific to the Reformed/Calvinist issues. It occurs to me that you may have had a more systematic approach in mind and I may have jumped the gun!
I agree that the topic of Grace should be discussed in the theological forum. I would be most interested in a non-catholic definition. Perhaps a poll question would be appropriate?
tim
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