Created vs. Uncreated Grace

[QNDNNDQDCE]

I see what you are saying. Ron Conte only said that sanctifying grace is not the Divine Nature. By this, it is clear to me that he meant to clarify that sanctifying grace is not literally the Divine Nature (as in essence) in the soul, which could cause confusion. God’s essence belongs to himself alone. This would be similar to your quote from the Catholic Encyclopedia.

“An exaggerated theory was taught by certain mystics and quietists, a theory not free from pantheiotic taint. In this view the soul is formally changed into God, an altogether untenable and impossible hypothesis, since concupiscence remains even after justification, and the presence of concupiscence is, of course, absolutely repugnant to the Divine nature.”

 

[Ron_Conte]

My reply to several posts above:

“So Grace is simply the state of the soul when God is in the soul?”
No, grace is an effect in the soul directly caused by the Divine Nature. This broad definition includes both actual grace and sanctifying grace.

The expression “poured forth in their hearts” is somewhat figurative. Grace never stands on its own, it is always an effect in created persons.

The effects of grace depend on the type of grace, but the Divine Nature is always directly involved in causing the good effects of grace.

Prevenient (operating) actual grace makes the human will truly free, and makes the intellect truly able to distinguish good from evil.

Subsequent (cooperating) actual grace works with reason and free will, if the person chooses to cooperate with grace, in order to do good: to pray, to exercise virtues, to treat others with mercy, etc.

Prevenient (operating) sanctifying grace places the soul in the state of sanctifying grace (habitual grace). This occurs without cooperation on the part of the recipient. Even if an adult prepares for Baptism with many efforts, cooperating with many actual graces, the initial act of God that places the soul in the state of grace is prevenient – it is God operating, not cooperating.

The state of grace, subsequently, requires some cooperation from the person to remain in that state, at least by avoiding all actual mortal sins of commission and omission.

Grace is not a separate thing that is present in our souls; it is a quality of the soul, it is integral to the soul. In the case of the state of grace, sanctifying grace is the state of loving God above all else, and of loving one’s neighbor as one’s self. Since this continuous state is effected by the Divine Nature directly, it is aptly described as the presence of God within us.

The Giver of grace is not the same as the gift of grace, but the state of grace implies the continual presence of the Giver, since the state is continuous.

I hope these comments clears up my position on this topic.