The Greek word charis translates to that which brings delight, joy, happiness, or good fortune. This term appears in the Septuagint translation of Genesis 6:8 to describe why God saved Noah from the flood. The Old Testament use includes the concept that those showing favor do gracious deeds. Descriptions of God's graciousness abound in the Torah and Pentateuch. Deuteronomy 7:8 speaks of this grace. Numbers 6:24, 27 offers another example. In the Psalms, examples include teaching the Law as found in Psalm 119:29. Psalm 27:7 shows God answering prayers. Psalm 85 serves as a prayer for restoration following the Exile.
Eastern Orthodox Theological Distinctions
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, grace is identified with the uncreated Energies of God. Among Eastern Christians generally, grace is considered partaking of the Divine Nature described in 2 Peter 1:4. Grace is the working of God himself, not a created substance. It cannot be treated like a commodity. Orthodox theologians reject Augustine's formulation of original sin. They actively oppose John Calvin's conceptions of total depravity. They also reject scholastic theology which became official Roman Catholic pedagogy until the Second Vatican Council. Orthodoxy teaches it is possible and necessary for human will to cooperate with divine grace. This cooperation is called synergism. Humans may become deified through merging with the uncreated Energies of God. This process is known as theosis. It involves the Tabor Light of transfiguration revealed to the senses. A method of prayer called hesychasm facilitates this union.Augustinian Controversies And Pelagianism
Pelagius was an ascetic who came from Britain in the early 5th century. He blamed moral laxity in Rome on the theology of divine grace preached by Augustine of Hippo. Pelagius strongly affirmed that humans had free will. He believed people could choose good as well as evil. Augustine began a debate drawing on exaggerated statements of Pelagius followers rather than Pelagius' own writings. The Council of Carthage repudiated Pelagianism in 418 largely at Augustine's insistence. Semi-Pelagian thought holds both God and human person participate in salvation. Humans make free will choices aided by God through creation. Natural grace and supernatural grace aid spiritual growth. John Cassian taught that though grace is required, there is no total depravity. He stated persons must work together with divine grace to be saved. This position is held by the Eastern Orthodox Church and many Reformed Protestants. In Catholicism it has been associated with the Society of Jesus.