Fact Check: Divine Grace

Divine grace is a theological term present in many religions. It has been defined as the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation; and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin.

Grace in Christianity is the free and unmerited favor of God as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowing of blessings. Common Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited mercy (favor) that God gave to humanity by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross, thus securing man's eternal salvation from sin.

Within Christianity, there are differing concepts on 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." Catholic doctrine teaches that God has imparted Divine Grace upon humanity and uses the vehicle of sacraments, which are carried out of faith, as a primary and effective means to facilitate the reception of grace. For Catholics, sacraments (carried out in faith) are the incarnational or tangible vehicle through which God's grace becomes personally and existentially received. Reformed Protestants, generally, do not share this sacramental view on the transmital of grace, but instead favor a less institutionalized mechanism. For example, in the Catholic Church, the primary initiation into a state of grace is granted by God through baptism (in faith) instead of by a simple prayer of faith (sinner's prayer); although, Catholics will not deny the possible efficacy of even a simple prayer for God's grace to flow (Baptism by desire).

In another example, for Catholics, the sacrament of reconciliation (in faith) is the primary means of transmitting grace after a mortal sin has been committed. 

In the New Testament, the word translated as grace is the Greek word charis, for 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)." Spiritual gifts or charismata which comes from the word charis, is defined in the New Bible Dictionary as "grace coming to visible effect in word or deed." 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).

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term used is chen, which is defined in Strong's as "favor, grace, or charm; grace is the moral quality of kindness, displaying a favorable disposition." In the King James translation, chen is translated as "grace" 38 times, "favor" 26 times, twice as "gracious," once as pleasant, and once as "precious."

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