Divine grace

{{Short description|Theological term}}
{{Redirect|God's grace|the Bernard Malamud novel|God's Grace}}
'''Divine grace''' is a [[theology|theological]] term present in many [[religion]]s. It has been [[defined]] as the [[divinity|divine]] influence<ref>{{Cite book|last=Blackmore |first=Richard Doddridge |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1084383140|title=Lorna Doone|date=1900 |publisher=Ryerson Press|isbn=0-665-26503-4|oclc=1084383140}}</ref> which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation;<ref>''OED'', 2nd ed.: grace(n), 11b</ref> and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin.<ref>''OED'', 2nd ed.: grace(n), 11e</ref>

==Eastern religions==

=== Hinduism ===
{{main|Kripa (philosophy)}}
[[Hindu]] devotional or [[bhakti]] literature available throughout India and Nepal is replete with references to grace ([[Kripa (philosophy)|kripa]]) as the ultimate key required for spiritual self-realization.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060512000536/http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/30/stories/2005063000400900.htm Descent of divine grace] ''[[The Hindu]]'', June 30, 2005.</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=September 2011}} Some, such as the ancient sage [[Vasistha]], in his classical work [[Yoga Vasistha]], considered it to be the only way to transcend the bondage of lifetimes of [[karma]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.venkatesaya.com/241_vasistha01_months_tags/index.vasistha01_months_tags.php?m=12&d=27|title=Yoga Vasistha - Daily Readings - Swami Venkatesananda|last=venkatesananda|website=www.venkatesaya.com|access-date=2011-10-28|archive-date=2013-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402210124/http://www.venkatesaya.com/241_vasistha01_months_tags/index.vasistha01_months_tags.php?m=12&d=27|url-status=dead}}</ref>
One [[Hindu philosophy|Hindu philosopher]], [[Madhvacharya]],  held that grace was not a gift from God, but rather must be earned.<ref>''Great Thinkers of the Eastern World'', Ian McGreal.</ref>

===Buddhism===
{{Main|Amitābha|Faith in Buddhism|Jōdo Shinshū|Primal Vow|Shinjin|Tariki (Buddhism)|Transfer of merit}}
While many [[schools of Buddhism]] emphasize self-discipline and effort as the path to [[Nirvana (Buddhism)|enlightenment]], something akin to the concept of divine grace is present as well. One of the most prominent examples of this is the doctrine of the [[Jōdo Shinshū]] branch of [[Pure Land Buddhism]], founded by the 12th-century Japanese monk, [[Shinran]]. In Buddhism, the concept of [[merit (Buddhism)|"merit"]] refers to the power of good [[karma]] built up over time through meditation, effort and spiritual practice- in Japanese, "[[Jiriki]]," or "self-power." This merit can be transferred to other sentient beings by a spiritual adept or [[bodhisattva]], motivated by [[Karuṇā|compassion]] for all beings cultivated through attaining [[bodhicitta]]. For Shinran, this ability to muster up genuine self-directed spiritual attainment is lacking in almost all humans, who are in reality "bombu," or foolish beings lost in a sea of delusion and selfishness such that even their good actions are tainted by selfish motivations. The only hope for spiritual advancement is giving up on Jiriki and, through [[faith]], or "[[shinjin]]," embracing the Tariki, or "other-power" of an infinitely-compassionate being. This being is [[Amitābha|Amida Buddha]], who countless millennia ago made a [[primal vow]] to save all sentient beings by building up enough merit to establish a [[pure land]], into which beings could be reborn simply by invoking his name, and in which they could easily attain full enlightenment. The key difference between Shinran's school and other schools of Pure Land Buddhism is the idea that even this faith and the resulting small effort of [[nianfo|reciting Amida's name]] is impossible without the intervening grace of Amida Buddha working in the deluded human being through the power of Amida's primal vow. Therefore, the recitation of Amida's name is seen more as an expression of gratitude for already-existing grace rather than the self-induced catalyst for a grace not yet present.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bschawaii.org/shindharmanet/bloom/ab-writings/amazing/|title=Amazing Grace: Christian and Buddhist &#124; Shin Dharma Net}}</ref>

==Abrahamic religions==

===Judaism===
In [[Judaism]], divine grace is an attribute of the [[God]] of [[Israel]] that signifies his [[chesed]] (loving-kindness and mercy) for his chosen people and his compassion for sinners, the weak, and the less fortunate. Divine grace is granted even to those unworthy of it. In the [[Old Testament]], the prophets promise divine grace for penitent [[Jews]].<ref>[https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6842-grace-divine Jewish Encyclopedia: Divine Grace]</ref>

In the [[Talmud]], divine grace is designated by the term "mercy," which is in contrast to divine justice. The divine name [[Elohim]] implies mercy, while the [[Tetragrammaton]] implies justice. Grace, according to the Jewish sages, is given to merciful people, students of the [[Torah]], and people whose ancestors or descendants merited grace for them. Righteous people can change divine justice to divine mercy.<ref>[https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6842-grace-divine Jewish Encyclopedia: Divine Grace]</ref>

While medieval Jewish philosophers did not mention divine grace, the Jewish liturgy includes many references to it, especially on [[Rosh Hashanah]] and [[Yom Kippur]]. The God of Israel is called merciful in many prayers, including the Wehu Raḥum, Ahabah Rabbah, and Shemoneh 'Esrch.<ref>[https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6842-grace-divine Jewish Encyclopedia: Divine Grace]</ref>

===Western Christianity ===
{{Main|Grace in Christianity|Irresistible grace|Prevenient grace|Sola gratia}}
Grace in Christianity is the free and unmerited [[wikt:favor|favour]] of [[God in Christianity|God]] as manifested in the [[Salvation (Christianity)|salvation]] of sinners and the bestowing of blessings.<ref>''OED'', 2nd ed.: grace(n), 11a</ref> Common Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited [[mercy]] (favor) that God gave to humanity by sending his [[God the Son|Son]], [[Jesus Christ]], to [[Crucifixion of Jesus|die on a cross]], thus securing man's eternal salvation from sin.

Within Christianity, there are differing concepts of how grace is attained. In particular, Catholics and Reformed Protestants understand the attainment of grace in substantially different ways. It has been described as "the watershed that divides [[Catholicism]] from [[Protestantism]], [[Calvinism]] from [[Arminianism]], modern liberalism from conservatism".<ref>Charles C. Ryrie, ''The Grace of God'' (Chicago: Moody Press, 1963), pp. 10-11.</ref> Catholic doctrine teaches that God has imparted Divine Grace upon humanity and uses the vehicle of [[sacrament]]s, which are carried out in faith,<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Catechism of the Catholic Church|Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1127]]|location=Vatican City-State|quote=Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify.}}</ref> as a primary and effective means to facilitate the reception of his grace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.saintaquinas.com/Justification_by_Grace.html|title=Justification by Grace|website=www.saintaquinas.com}}</ref> For Catholics and Liturgical Protestants, [[sacrament]]s (carried out in faith) are the incarnational or tangible vehicle through which God's grace becomes personally and existentially received.<ref>[[Edward Schillebeeckx]], ''Christ, the Sacrament of Encounter with God'' (Rowman & Littlefield, 1963), Foreword pp. 16</ref> Evangelical Protestants, generally, do not share this sacramental view on the transmittal of grace,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Heaven_-_Heaven_in_Protestant_Christianity/id/1292134 |title=Heaven: Encyclopedia II - Heaven - Heaven in Protestant Christianity |access-date=2010-12-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124002753/http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Heaven_-_Heaven_in_Protestant_Christianity/id/1292134 |archive-date=2009-11-24 }}</ref> but instead favor a less institutionalized mechanism. For example, in the Catholic Church and the earlier Protestant churches (Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, Anglican, etc.), the primary initiation into a state of grace is granted by God through infant baptism (in faith)<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Catechism of the Catholic Church|Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1992]]|location=Vatican City-State|quote=Justification is conferred in Baptism, the sacrament of faith.}}</ref>  instead of by a simple prayer of faith ([[sinner's prayer]]); although, Catholics would not deny the possible efficacy of even a simple prayer for God's grace to flow ([[Baptism of desire|Baptism by desire]]<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Catechism of the Catholic Church|Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1260]]|location=Vatican City-State}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=[[Catechism of the Catholic Church|Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1281]]|location=Vatican City-State|quote=... those who ... seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, are saved even if they have not been baptized.}}</ref>).

In another example, for Catholics, the [[Sacrament of Reconciliation (Catholic Church)|sacrament of reconciliation]] (in faith) is the primary means of transmitting grace after a [[mortal sin]] has been committed.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Catechism of the Catholic Church|Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1446]]|location=The Vatican|quote=Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification. The Fathers of the Church present this sacrament as "the second plank [of salvation] after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace."}}</ref>

In the [[New Testament]], the word translated as grace is the Greek word ''charis'' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|r|ɪ|s}}; {{lang-grc|[[Wiktionary:χάρις|χάρις]]}}), for which Strong's Concordance gives this definition: "Graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://strongsnumbers.com/greek/5485.htm|title=Strong's Greek: 5485. χάρις (charis) -- grace, kindness|website=strongsnumbers.com}}</ref><ref>Strong (2001) Grk entry number 5485 (p. 1653)</ref> Spiritual gifts or ''charismata'' which comes from the word family ''charis'', is defined in the ''New Bible Dictionary'' as "grace coming to visible effect in word or deed."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/spiritual-gifts-listed-by-paul-motivated-by-love.html|title=Spiritual Gifts: Listed by Paul, Motivated by Love|website=Crosswalk.com}}</ref> A Greek word that is related to ''charis'' is ''charisma'' (gracious gift).  Both these words originated from another Greek word ''chairo'' (to rejoice, be glad, delighted).<ref>Strong (2001) Grk entry numbers 5486 and 5463</ref>

In the [[Old Testament]], the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] term used is ''chen''<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H02580&Version=kjv|title=Blue Letter Bible entry for Strongs Hebrew term 2580|publisher=[[Blue Letter Bible]] institute|access-date=2011-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/nas/chen.html|title=Chen - Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon - New American Standard|website=Bible Study Tools}}</ref> ({{Script/Hebrew|חֵן}}), which is defined in Strong's as "favor, grace or charm; grace is the moral quality of kindness, displaying a favorable disposition".<ref>Strong (2001) Hebrew entry number 2580 (p. 1501)</ref>  In the King James translation, ''chen'' is translated as "grace" 38 times, "favour" 26 times, twice as "gracious",<ref>Proverbs 11:16 and Ecclesiastes 9:11</ref> once as "pleasant",<ref>Proverbs 5:19</ref> and once as "precious".<ref>Proverbs 17:8</ref>

===Islam===
{{Main|Fadl (Islam)}}

[[Salafism|Salafi scholar]] [[Umar Sulayman al-Ashqar]], dean of the Faculty of Islamic Law at [[Zarqa Private University]] in [[Zarqa]], [[Jordan]], wrote that "Paradise is something of immense value; a person cannot earn it by virtue of his deeds alone, but by the Grace and Mercy of Allah."<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/answering_common_questions_on_salvation_that_christians_pose_to_muslims|title=Answering Common Questions on Salvation That Christians Pose to Muslims|author=Bassam Zawadi|author2=Mansur Ahmed|access-date=2011-01-01}}</ref> This stance is supported by [[hadith]]: according to Abu Huraira, Muhammad once said that "None amongst you can get into Paradise by virtue of his deeds alone ... not even I, but that Allah should wrap me in his grace and mercy."<ref>{{citation|title=Sahih Muslim, Book 39|chapter=Chapter 15: None Would Attain Salvation Because of his Deeds but it is Through Lord's Mercy, Number 6764|publisher=University of Southern California center for Jewish-Muslim engagement|chapter-url=http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/muslim/039.smt.html|access-date=2011-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102202428/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/muslim/039.smt.html|archive-date=2011-01-02|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Quran]] says "God is the Possessor of Infinite Grace" <ref>Quran 62:4</ref> and "He bestows this grace upon whomsoever He wills (or desires)."<ref>Source: Quran 57:29</ref> Grace is something attainable by those here on earth from God who meet certain Quranic criteria. For example, they "believe in God and His messengers", and they "race toward forgiveness from their Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heavens and the earth."<ref>see Quran 57:21</ref>

==See also==
* [[Barakah]]
* [[Divine Principle]]
* [[Hana (given name)|Hana]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
* {{citation|title=The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible|last=Strong|first=James| publisher=Zondervan|year=2001|isbn=978-0-310-23343-5}}
* {{citation|title=Stongnumbers.com|publisher=Online Parallel Bible Project (Biblos.com)|url=http://strongsnumbers.com/}}
* {{citation|title=Biblestudytools.com|publisher=[[Salem Web Network]]|url=http://www.biblestudytools.com}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Grace|volume=12|pages=309–310}}

{{Catholic Church footer}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Divine Grace}}
[[Category:Christian terminology]]
[[Category:Luck]]
[[Category:Salvation]]
[[Category:Divinity]]