Subject: God is not the author of evil. |
Bible Note: Hank, I think this whole issue of free will and predestination is tied into the understaning of the various kinds of grace and justification. Though fallen man cannot without the grace of God achieve his own justification, God does constantly reach out to us with a prevenient and predisposing grace that calls us closer to Him and grants us the ability to freely chose his gift(grace) of justification or reject it. Here is a doctrinal exposition of that understanding. "CHAPTER V THE NECESSITY OF PREPARATION FOR JUSTIFICATION IN ADULTS, AND WHENCE IT PROCEEDS It is furthermore declared that in adults the beginning of that justification must proceed from the predisposing grace of God through Jesus Christ, that is, from His vocation, whereby, without any merits on their part, they are called; that they who by sin had been cut off from God, may be disposed through His quickening and helping grace to convert themselves to their own justification by freely assenting to and cooperating with that grace; so that, while God touches the heart of man through the illumination of the Holy Ghost, man himself neither does absolutely nothing while receiving that inspiration, since he can also reject it, nor yet is he able by his own free will and without the grace of God to move himself to justice in His sight. Hence, when it is said in the sacred writings: Turn ye to me, and I will turn to you,[Zach. 1:3] we are reminded of our liberty; and when we reply: Convert us, O Lord, to thee, and we shall be converted,[Lam. 5:21] we confess that we need the grace of God. CHAPTER VI THE MANNER OF PREPARATION Now, they [the adults] are disposed to that justice when, aroused and aided by divine grace, receiving faith by hearing,[Rom. 10:17] they are moved freely toward God, believing to be true what has been divinely revealed and promised, especially that the sinner is justified by God by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;[Rom. 3:24] and when, understanding themselves to be sinners, they, by turning themselves from the fear of divine justice, by which they are salutarily aroused, to consider the mercy of God, are raised to hope, trusting that God will be propitious to them for Christ's sake; and they begin to love Him as the fountain of all justice, and on that account are moved against sin by a certain hatred and detestation, that is, by that repentance that must be performed before baptism;[Acts 2:3] finally, when they resolve to receive baptism, to begin a new life and to keep the commandments of God. Of this disposition it is written: He that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him;[Heb. 11:6] and, Be of good faith, son, thy sins are forgiven thee;[Matt. 9:2; Mark 2:5] and, The fear of the Lord driveth out sin;[Ecclus. 1:27] and, repenance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost;[Acts 2:38] and, Going, therefore, teach ye all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you;[Matt. 28:19f] finally, Prepare your hearts unto the Lord.[See 1 Kings 7:3] CHAPTER VII IN WHAT THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE SINNER CONSISTS, AND WHAT ARE ITS CAUSES This disposition or preparation is followed by justification itself, which is not only a remission of sins but also the sanctification and renewal of the inward man through the voluntary reception of the grace and gifts whereby an unjust man becomes just and from being an enemy becomes a friend, that he may be an heir according to hope of life everlasting.[Tit. 3:7]... excerpted from The Council of Trent on Justification Emmaus |