Imputed vs Infused Grace

[gracelife]

Why do Catholics believe grace is infused rather than imputed? Early Church Father support might be helpful too.

Some of the “proof texts” scripturally I’ve come across from CA seem to be speaking of the Holy Spirit, not necesarrily grace. What am I missing in my understanding?

It seems God is pouring out the Holy Spirit in most of the following verses, not grace. Are we filled with the Holy Spirit or grace?*

“For the palace will be forsaken . . . until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest” (Isaiah 32:14-15).

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17-18).

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

“And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles” (Acts 10:45).

“When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:23-24).

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

“He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7)*

I’m just basically confused and don’t have a strong stance on this yet, so any help is appreciated.

 

[Pax]

It appears that there may be an issue of terminology. Generally speaking the issue of “infused” vs. “imputed” applies to the term justification. Grace is God’s favor/gift which is bestowed upon us in many different ways. Receiving the Holy Spirit is by way of grace. The gifts of wisdom and prophecy are also by way of grace. Grace is God’s gift and it is often accompanied with power.

Infused righteousness as opposed to imputed righteous is well expressed in Eph 2:8-10. Clearly, our justification is a gift as evidenced by verses 8 and 9. Verse 10 then shows the power associated with the gift and the “infused” nature of justification. Verse ten says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Meditate on this verse in terms of being God’s workmanship and a new creation. This is the meaning of infused righteousness. We are not only declared righteous; we are also made righteous.

God’s word goes out in power and it does not return to him empty. Instead it accomplishes his purpose and prospers in that to which he sent it.[see Isaiah 55:11] Moreover, when God says something it happens. When God said, “let there be light” there was light. So also, when God says that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus and that we are justified in his sight, we are indeed what God says we are. This is infused righteousness as opposed to merely an imputed righteousness that is not transforming. Imputed righteousness holds that we remain polluted, and are merely covered by the righteousness of Christ.

I hope that this helps.

 

[gracelife]

Thanks Pax.

Another question:
Why do protestants then believe in imputed rather than infused ?

 

[Catholic_Dude]

Thanks Pax.

Another question:
Why do protestants then believe in imputed rather than infused ?

As far as I can tell their error of “imputed” was for two reasons:
1)They misunderstood/misinterpreted passages of Scripture
2)Their theology of “faith alone” and “total depravity” of man after the fall of Adam left them in a bind…They viewed man as hopelessly corrupt, even after justification, and if grace was “INfused” that would mean the justified man is TRULY changed inside. If man was changed/renewed then man could obey God once again YET the “reformers” saw this as “salvation by works”.
Their solution was to remove man and man’s response to grace OUTSIDE the realm of justificaion, as a result Christ’s merits were “credited” to man while not actually having an affect on man. There is a famous phrase that is attributed to Luther concerning how he saw man as justified, Luther saw man as a pile of dung with Christ as snow covering the dung, at that point Luther said God could “see” the man as righteous/justified because “all” He saw was the snow.

It sounds crazy and in the Catholic mind its an abomination but thats what the original protestants and many today propose, though many protestants today are starting to wake up and come to the Catholic understanding.

 

[Pax]

This is a question that requires a rather involved answer. In the interest of brevity I’ll try to summarize.

The reformers believed in salvation by “faith alone.” This doctrine is largely incompatible with the understanding of infused righteousness. They also believe that the fallen nature of man is so severe that nothing we do, even after baptism and having been justified by grace, could be pleasing to God.

Their thinking alienates faith and works from one another. They believe that anything we do somehow diminishes the complete work of Christ on the cross. Unfortunately, they do not realize or appreciate the fact that the good works we do in justification per Eph 2:10 are actually the work of the Father’s hands within our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. This in no way diminishes the complete work of Jesus on the cross, but instead expresses the complete work of Jesus and how the Father intends to apply it in our lives.

The purpose of our justification is that we be "conformed to the image of Jesus.[see Romans 8:29] We are not conformed to the image of Jesus if we remain polluted.

Unfortunately, non-catholic theology misses much of what is said in scripture in terms of justification, salvation, and being a new creation. The only reason that this happens is because of a narrow focus on a few passages of scripture that, when taken out of their proper context, can be erroneously construed to support the notion of salvation by faith alone. This is called “eisegesis” where doctrine defines the meaning of scripture as opposed to letting scripture explain the doctrine.

I hope that my brevity and blunt presentation does not upset our non-catholic brothers and sisters on this forum. This is not my intention, nor is it my intention to misrepresent their views. Since this is a summary approach, please be advised that there is much more that could be said from both sides on this subject.

 

[gracelife]

I hope that my brevity and blunt presentation does not upset our non-catholic brothers and sisters on this forum. This is not my intention, nor is it my intention to misrepresent their views. Since this is a summary approach, please be advised that there is much more that could be said from both sides on this subject.

I’m listening.
If you ever feel inclined or have the time Pax, your other thoughts are welcome.

By all means, non-Catholics, I am interested in your understanding as well.

 

[Nita]

Hi Gracelife,

I like your name! For a Catholic “grace” and “life” are almost synonymous.

I’m going to give a few of the definitions for grace that are given in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).

CCC #1997 Grace is favor, the *free and underserved help *that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.

CCC #1997 Grace is a participation in the life of God. It introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life: by Baptism the Christian participates in the grace of Christ, the Head of his Body. … He receives the life of the Spirit who breathes charity into him …

CCC #1999 The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us of his own life, infused by the Holy Spirit into our soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it. It is the sanctifying or *deifying *grace received in Baptism. …

End of CCC quotes.

There are so many Scripture passages that demonstrate grace is more than an exterior imputation.

That it’s a participation in the life of God:
2 Peter 1:4 …become partakers of of the divine nature
1 John 3:9 …for God’s nature abides *in *him
Eph 4:18 (referring to those who live sinfully) they are…alienated from the life of God

Source of power/strength/life in our soul:John 1:12 He gave power to become children of God
Eph 1:19 …greatness of His power *in us *who believe
Eph 3:16-20 …grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, …may have the power to comprehend … … who by the power at work within us
1 Thess. 1:5 for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit
Heb 13:9 for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace,…
1 Peter 3:7 …since you are joint heirs of the grace of life

Saves, Sanctifies, Justifies
Rom 3:24; 1 Cor 6:11; Eph 2:4-5, 8; Eph 4:24; Titus 3:4-7

Regarding the relationship between the Holy Spirit and grace, one of the ways I like to think of it uses Jeremiah’s words “fountain of living water”. I think of the *Holy Spirit *as the “fountain” and grace as the “living water”.

When one grasps that grace is a communication to our soul of supernatural life, infusing it with strength to overcome sin and do good, Paul’s epistles become so much clearer and understandable.

Hope this helps,
Nita

 

[spauline]

Hi, Grace Life,

I think Pax and others like him may be more equipped to help you, because they are apologetics “gods”. ( ) But I thought I would just share that in Catholicism, God is LOVE is the central mystery. The Infinite, Unbounded, totally Reckless Sharing and Giving and Immersion into the Other of the Holy Trinity is the central mystery of our faith, and the foundation of everything we hope for. God created us PRECISELY that He might share the Immeasurable Love and Life within His One Nature with creatures. Love is the source and summit towards which everything tends. The very SOURCE of happiness is precisely SUPERNATURAL LIFE AND LOVE! The probleme with modern jokes about heaven, is that they tend to give a very materialistic understanding of heaven, like unending golf courses and every day is Old Country Buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This misses the whole point. The ultimate source of happiness is knowing that you are LOVED and cherished, so much so that the God who made you has voluntarily chosen to suffer for you in order that He could give you Himself forever. But happiness is also the ability, IN SOME SENSE, to love God back and also creatures in this manner as well. For once one comes to realization that one is loved in this manner, prompted by the grace of God, the creature will desire to love in this manner. For how can one receive this love and experience the fullness of joy if the love cannot be returned?

So, again, happiness is being loved SUPERNATURALLY, and loving back SUPERNATURALLY. Hence, of faith, hope, and love, only love will remain. For we will not have faith because we will see face to face what was the object of our faith. and we will not hope, because we will possess what was hoped for. But love will remain, because Love is ultimate source of what makes us happy.

I also have an article that shows how the Protestant deficiencies in this regard of imputed versus infused righteousness leads to other errors, such as the idea that non-Christians cannot be saved, even if it is not their fault that they are not Christian. Here is the article:

It might at least give you some arsenal to see the conclusions of a mere imputed righteousness ends up leading to beliefs that are not in accord with reason and love.

On the Salvation of non-Christians.

God bless you grace life, with GRACE and LIFE. Alleluia! Amen!

scott

 

[tm21]

I found the following in the Catholic Encyclopedia under Justification. The entire article can be found here: newadvent.org/cathen/08573a.htm

“The two elements of active justification, forgiveness of sin and sanctification, furnish at the same time the elements of habitual justification, freedom from sin and holiness. According to the Catholic doctrine, however, this freedom from sin and this sanctity are effected, not by two distinct and successive Divine acts, but by a single act of God. For, just as light dispels darkness, so the infusion of sanctifying grace eo ipso dispels from the soul original and mortal sin. (Cf. Trent, sess. VI, can. xi) In considering the effects of justification it will be useful to compare the Catholic doctrine of real forgiveness of sin with the Protestant theory that sin is merely “covered” and not imputed. By declaring the grace of justification, or sanctifying grace, to be the only formal cause of justification, the Council of Trent intended to emphasize the fact that in possessing sanctifying grace we possess the whole essence of the state of justification with all its formal effects; that is, we possess freedom from sin and sanctity, and indeed freedom from sin by means of sanctity. Such a remission of sin could not consist in a mere covering or non-imputation of sins, which continue their existence out of view; it must necessarily consist in the real obliteration and annihilation of the guilt.”

 

[Bookcat]

We *really are *a “new creation” in Christ…etc

 

[PluniaZ]

Because literally no one in the entire world believed in “imputed” grace until Philip Melancthon and John Calvin applied nominalist philosophy to Erasmus’ translation of Romans 4. Even Martin Luther didn’t believe in “imputed” righteousness. The idea that God sees you as if you are as righteous as Jesus, regardless of how you actually behave, is not stated anywhere in the Bible and is completely contrary to 1500 years of Christian teaching in the entire church - west, east and oriental.

From John Chrysostom’s commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:

If any man have an ill life with a right faith, his faith shall not shelter him from punishment, his work being burnt up. The phrase, “shall be burned up,” means, “shall not endure the violence of the fire.” But just as if a man having golden armor on were to pass through a river of fire, he comes from crossing it all the brighter; but if he were to pass through it with hay, so far from profiling, he destroys himself besides; so also is the case in regard of men’s works. For he doth not say this as if he were discoursing of material things being burnt up, but with a view of making their fear more intense, and of shewing how naked of all defence he is who abides in wickedness.

clerus.org/bibliaclerusonline/en/ddg.htm#dh

 

[Vonsalza]

Ah, this old chestnut. I remember it fondly.

My Baptist pals and I, back in my more heretical days, would absolutely be at each other’s throats over whether grace was “imputed” or “imparted”.

“I legitimately believe you may not be ‘saved’ if you think that.” What fools we were. Fun times. :slapfight:

 

[Mammoths]

Scriptural mentions of infused grace. Clearly grace doesn’t just camouflage, it actually makes us righteous and capable of goodness.

2 Corinthians 5:17King James Version (KJV)

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Romans 6:1 King James Version (KJV)

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 John 1:7 KJV
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

[PluniaZ]

In Acts 15, the Apostles meet in Jerusalem to discuss the exact same issues that Paul is addressing in Romans and Galatians:

Acts 15:

5 But there arose some of the sect of the Pharisees that believed, saying: They must be circumcised, and be commanded to observe the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter.

Romans 3:

28 For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.
30 For it is one God, that justifieth circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Galatians 2:

15 We by nature are Jews, and not of the Gentiles sinners.
16 But knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

It’s the exact same issue that Paul is discussing in his letters. And what does Peter say in Acts 15?

8 And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Paul says “justified” by faith. Peter says “purified their hearts” by faith. In response to the exact same issue. Justification meas the infusion of righteousness, not a forensic legal declaration. Case closed.

 

[dokbyte]

Please after reading through the responses I realize there seems to be some misinterpretation.

Let’s not even try to differentiate between “infusion” and “imputation”.

To emphasize the point, can someone tell me, in clear simple-worded sentences, how a person can enter heaven?

 

[Mammoths]

Please after reading through the responses I realize there seems to be some misinterpretation.

Let’s not even try to differentiate between “infusion” and “imputation”.

To emphasize the point, can someone tell me, in clear simple-worded sentences, how a person can enter heaven?

Mark 10:17-31New International Version (NIV)

The Rich and the Kingdom of God
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a]”

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is** to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”**

 

[Nita]

…
To emphasize the point, can someone tell me, in clear simple-worded sentences, how a person can enter heaven?

A person enters heaven ONLY through Jesus Christ.
That is about the only way it can be stated in a single, simple-worded sentence.

But if I’m not mistaken, what you’re really wanting to know is what a person has to do to enter heaven. If so, that can vary depending on the circumstances of the individual person.
(eg. a person who has never heard of Jesus vs. someone who has;
a person who’s been baptized and raised Catholic vs. someone who was born and raised in a different religion.
Those are just a couple examples.)

So, could you be a little more specific about the circumstances.

 

[fhansen]

Why do Catholics believe grace is infused rather than imputed? Early Church Father support might be helpful too.

Some of the “proof texts” scripturally I’ve come across from CA seem to be speaking of the Holy Spirit, not necesarrily grace. What am I missing in my understanding?

It seems God is pouring out the Holy Spirit in most of the following verses, not grace. Are we filled with the Holy Spirit or grace?*

“For the palace will be forsaken . . . until the Spirit is poured upon* us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest” (Isaiah 32:14-15).

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17-18).

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

“And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles” (Acts 10:45).

“When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:23-24).

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

“He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7)

I’m just basically confused and don’t have a strong stance on this yet, so any help is appreciated.

God’s purpose, in salvation, since the fall of man, has been to patiently restore justice to His wayward creation, not suddenly decide to ignore it. He didn’t create junk, and He didn’t create man to sin, after all. Sin is what separated man from God to begin with-and will continue to, which is why Scripture insists that sinners to not enter heaven. **“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows…” **Gal 6:7

 

[dokbyte]

Mark 10:17-31New International Version (NIV)

The Rich and the Kingdom of God
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a]”

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is** to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”**

So in sentence or two can you summarize, so there is no misinterpretation of that passage

 

[dokbyte]

A person enters heaven ONLY through Jesus Christ.
That is about the only way it can be stated in a single, simple-worded sentence.

But if I’m not mistaken, what you’re really wanting to know is what a person has to do to enter heaven. If so, that can vary depending on the circumstances of the individual person.
(eg. a person who has never heard of Jesus vs. someone who has;
a person who’s been baptized and raised Catholic vs. someone who was born and raised in a different religion.
Those are just a couple examples.)

So, could you be a little more specific about the circumstances.

Thanks for the response. Yes I want to know what a person has to do regardless of whether that person has ever heard of Jesus or not.