Grace

Definition and Meaning

Grace is the favor and gift that God freely bestows on those who do not deserve it. Christianity teaches that a person's deliverance from sin and attainment of salvation are accomplished not by his or her own merit but by the grace of God. Korean Protestants generally use the term eunhye (恩惠, "grace"), while Roman Catholic and Methodist theology also use the term eunchong (恩寵, likewise rendered "grace").

Biblical and Historical Background

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew words chen ("favor") and chesed ("steadfast love," "lovingkindness") convey the meaning of grace. In the New Testament, the Greek word charis denotes grace. A frequently cited verse is Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith."

In the fifth century, Pelagius argued that human beings can do good by their own will. Augustine opposed him, emphasizing that grace comes first in salvation (see Pelagianism). The sixteenth-century Reformers put forward "grace alone" (sola gratia) as one of the Five Solas.

Even within Protestantism, understandings differ as to how grace works in a person.

• Calvinism: Holds that the saving grace God gives to the elect cannot ultimately be resisted, and calls this "irresistible grace."
• Arminianism: Holds that grace is given to all people but that a person can resist it.
• Wesleyan theology: Speaks of "prevenient grace," which reaches out to all people even before conversion. It also distinguishes justifying grace (justification) from sanctifying grace (sanctification).

Practice in the Korean Church

In the Korean church, "grace" is both a doctrinal term and part of everyday devotional language. Church members say they "received grace" when moved by a sermon or by worship music, and they describe a moving worship service as a "gracious service." The sharing of spiritual insights with one another in small groups is called "grace sharing."

The emphasis varies by denominational tradition.

• Presbyterian: Following the tradition of the Westminster Confession of Faith, teaches the Word, the sacraments, and prayer as the "means of grace," that is, the channels through which God bestows grace.
• Methodist and Holiness: Following the Wesleyan tradition, emphasize prevenient grace and the grace of sanctification.
• Pentecostal and Charismatic churches: Tend to emphasize the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit experienced at prayer meetings and revival meetings as concrete experiences of grace.

At the same time, some critics argue that an emphasis on grace can lead to neglect of a transformed life. In this connection, the concept of "cheap grace" set forth by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship is frequently cited in the Korean church as well. "Cheap grace" refers to grace unaccompanied by a life of discipleship.