| abstract | - Universal prevenient grace refers to the doctrine that there is a divine enabling grace extended to all mankind, prior to and without reference to anything they may have done. This grace restores man's free will, which was corrupted by the effects of original sin, and enables him to choose or refuse the salvation offered by God in Jesus Christ. This doctrine is embraced in Arminianism, especially those of the Wesleyan tradition. John Wesley typically referred to it in 18th century language as preventing grace. In modern American vernacular, it is better termed preceding grace. It is noted that the term prevenient (or preceding) grace may also be found in Puritan writings, but in this sense it is not "universal" and is rather part of God's effectual call which precedes conversion. Wesleyan Thomas C. Oden of Drew University defines universal prevenient grace as, "...the grace that begins to enable one to choose further to cooperate with saving grace. By offering the will the restored capacity to respond to grace, the person then may freely and increasingly become an active, willing participant in receiving the conditions for justification." Wesley and those of the Arminian tradition speak of their belief in the doctrines of original sin and total depravity thus appearing consistent with the clear teaching of Scripture on those issues. However, in their concept of universal prevenient grace, they make man's resulting moral inability merely hypothetical and not actual. According to this concept, God's "prevenient grace" universally offsets the effects of the Fall and the extent of total depravity such that every person on earth is "able" of his own free will to turn to God in Christ for salvation.
|
