I recently came across the phrase "Three Manifestations of Grace". The author used the phrase as if its meaning were common knowledge. As far as I can tell, some Christian writers do speak of three main types of Grace, but they do not necessarily agree on what they are. The clearest example I could find in terms of a denominational doctrine was from Methodism, which takes it [theology of grace from Wesley](https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/foundations) :
- Prevenient grace literally means "the grace that comes before." Prevenient grace calls us into a relationship with God before we are even aware of God. It prepares us for the dawning awareness that God loves us so much that God seeks us out first.
- Justifying grace offers reconciliation, forgiveness of sin, freedom from the power and guilt of sin, and the possibility of new relationships with God and with one another.
- Sanctifying grace enables us to grow into the image of Christ and to live as a sign of God’s reign among us. Sanctifying grace leads to inward and outward holiness.
Wesley's system owes much to Augustine, but I do not know if Catholic theology speaks of three types of grace per se. Also, I notice that writers of other denominations refer to different manifestations or stages of grace... sometimes numbering as high as fifteen.
What I'm really looking for is whether 1) prevenient, 2) sanctifying and 3) justifying grace are the most likely types of grace this writer was referring to. Related questions: Do other denominations - especially Catholicism - also formally refer to these three as the main types? Do some denominations use a different three-fold typology?
Asked by Dan Fefferman
(7370 rep)
Jan 19, 2024, 09:20 PM
Last activity: Jan 20, 2024, 02:37 AM
Last activity: Jan 20, 2024, 02:37 AM