Prevenient grace

Definition

Prevenient grace refers to the divine grace that precedes human decision, enabling individuals to respond to God's call for salvation. This concept highlights the belief that God’s grace is at work in a person's life before they even recognize their need for redemption, preparing their hearts and minds to accept faith. It underscores the idea that human beings are not completely passive but are given the ability to choose or reject God's offer of grace.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Prevenient grace is considered essential in Wesleyan theology, emphasizing that God's grace is available to all individuals before they come to faith.
2. This grace is believed to be universally present, meaning it extends to every person, providing the initial movement toward salvation.
3. The concept suggests that while humans have the freedom to choose, it is God’s prior action that makes those choices possible.
4. Prevenient grace counters the notion of total depravity by asserting that all people have some ability to respond positively to God's offer of grace.
5. Understanding prevenient grace can deepen one’s comprehension of how salvation is viewed as a collaborative process between divine action and human response.

Review Questions

• How does prevenient grace illustrate the relationship between divine grace and human free will?
  • Prevenient grace showcases the dynamic interplay between God's initiative and human response by indicating that God's grace actively enables individuals to exercise their free will. While humans have the capacity to choose salvation or reject it, prevenient grace acts as a preparatory influence that awakens an awareness of God's presence and calls for a response. This means that before any conscious decision toward faith can be made, God's grace is already at work within a person’s life, making it possible for them to respond positively.
• Discuss the implications of prevenient grace on the understanding of salvation in Christian theology.
  • The concept of prevenient grace significantly impacts the understanding of salvation by emphasizing that it is not solely based on human effort or merit but initiated by God’s love. It implies that everyone has access to God’s grace, thus underlining a more inclusive approach to salvation. The presence of prevenient grace means that even those who have not yet accepted faith are still under God’s gracious influence, allowing for hope that all can respond positively if they choose. This understanding challenges more restrictive views that limit salvation to a predetermined group.
• Evaluate how the concept of prevenient grace informs discussions on moral responsibility and accountability in Christian ethics.
  • Prevenient grace plays a crucial role in discussions about moral responsibility by asserting that individuals are accountable for their choices due to the enabling power of God's grace. Since this grace prepares hearts and minds for faith, it suggests that rejecting God's call is a significant moral decision. This view encourages believers to engage with the idea that while they are influenced by divine grace, they are also responsible for how they respond to it. Consequently, prevenient grace fosters a sense of ethical accountability, reinforcing the belief that each person's choice in accepting or rejecting faith carries weight in their spiritual journey.

Related terms

Grace: Unmerited favor from God toward humanity, often understood as the free and undeserved assistance given by God to humans for their regeneration and sanctification.

Free Will: The ability for individuals to make choices free from external coercion, often discussed in relation to God's sovereignty and human responsibility.

Justification: The act of being declared righteous before God, often associated with faith and the grace provided through Jesus Christ.