Grace Alone (Sola Gratia)
Sola Gratia, the doctrine asserting that salvation is achieved by grace alone, represents a principal theological tenet of the Protestant Reformation.
The theological function and effect of grace are interpreted distinctly across Protestant traditions, particularly concerning predestination and the assurance of salvation.
The Nature and Certainty of Grace
In Calvinism, Sola Gratia is fundamentally tied to the belief in predestination. Salvation is achieved when God gives individuals the grace of regeneration, without which they cannot be saved.
This system dictates that God's grace, once granted, is impossible for the recipient to lose, just as it is unattainable for those whom He has denied it, because God’s decrees are eternal and cannot change. Therefore, to suggest that human merit or actions could influence this eternal destiny would imply that the Godhead is subject to alteration, which is viewed as an impossible contradiction.
The fate of the individual, including the fact that only a select few are chosen for eternal grace, serves exclusively to manifest the glory and majesty of God.
Conversely, within early Lutheranism, grace was not viewed as irrevocable, and it was believed that grace could be lost and won again by penitent humility and faithful trust in the word of God in the sacrament.
Grace and the Calling
The intense doctrine of predestination compelled believers to seek certitudo salutis (certainty of salvation). The lack of self-confidence regarding one's election was interpreted as a sign of insufficient faith and consequently, a negation of perfect grace. It became an absolute duty to consider oneself chosen and to combat all doubts concerning this status, treating them as temptations from the devil.
To attain this necessary self-confidence, intense worldly activity is recommended as the most effective means to dispel religious doubts and secure the certainty of grace.
Although good works do not purchase salvation, they are indispensable as a sign of election, serving as a technical means to relieve the fear of damnation. This dedication to secular labour results in the bourgeoisie businessman holding the consciousness of standing in the fullness of God's grace and being visibly blessed by Him.
Grace and Sanctification
Methodism, influenced by an interest in the Orthodox doctrine of [[Theosis]], developed a concept of sanctification through divine grace.
This grace enables one who is reborn to attain perfection—freedom from sin—even in this life, often through a secondary spiritual transformation. This guaranteed consciousness of perfection distinguishes the true convert and provides a serene confidence that relieves the anxiety experienced by Calvinists.
Contrast with Historical Orthodoxy
The Protestant understanding of grace is contrasted with the traditional historical faith. In the Orthodox tradition, believers participate in the uncreated grace of God.
The Church’s holy sacraments are understood as mysteries that convey grace necessary for the healing of the soul and the preparation of the person to meet God. Furthermore, the Orthodox conception of the afterlife defines Hell as an absence of God's grace.