The main thing to say in this context is that during the Council of Trent, which was in opposition to the Reformation, the Jesuit view of grace prevailed. It is possible to consider the view semi- Pelagian. The idea is that God wills the salvation of all, but that one must accept the gift, and that one can forfeit grace through mortal sin or apostasy. Against Pelagius, it says that mortal nature is by no means sufficient to win salvation; that Original Sin is real, and requires baptism to partially alleviate the consequences; that the death of Christ on the Cross was a necessary precondition to salvation, and therefore that faith matters in the acceptance of the gift; and that the sacraments, as conduits of grace, are important elements of salvation.
Against Aquinas and Calvin, it rejects predestination and the irresistability of grace. Against Calvin, it rejects the merely symbolic nature of the sacraments. Against Calvin and Luther, it rejects the idea that as long as one believes, it is impossible to lose grace through sin.
I will comment some more later.... |
