Essay on Catholic Theology

Definition and necessity of the means of grace

I should start this paper with an explanation of the” means of grace” meaning and what are they needed for.

Basically it is a concept of sacraments that include “various signs, words, or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end. These are the means through which God confers grace to people. They are the ordinary channels that help to convey to men, preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace” (Jacobs-Vandegeer 52)

Catholic theology claims that despite the idea the work of God may appear in many ways it is crucial to follow the means of grace whenever it is possible.

Differences in the theological approaches to the elements of means of grace

Various theologians have different approaches to the means of grace. For instance, prayer is not included into it by Lutherans and some other religious groups.

To be clear, there is no definite position on exact ordained means that are defined as sacred. When discussing the issues of the means of grace, we are taking about certain spiritual disciplines, and also about secrets to the deeper religious life.

True Catholic followers have to be able to understand the importance of the means of grace, because they are considered as God’s plan to help people to grow spiritually.

Nevertheless, despite all the differences it is known that these are ordained procedures that God suggest to use.

Sacraments

According to the classic definition of the Catholic theology, “sacraments are signs and seals of the covenant of grace; they must be instituted by God; and they must be symbolic of the benefits of redemption which are represented, sealed and applied to the effect.” (Fairbairn 5)

St. Augustine gave another definition for the sacraments: “sacraments are the visible signs that represent an invisible reality”. (Jacobs-Vandegeer 52)

Modern Roman Catholic sacramental theology, with its understanding of the sacraments as the means of grace, developed over many centuries.

There are seven Roman Catholic sacraments that were defined in the period of the Early Christianity.:
“Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Penance
Matrimony
Holy orders” (Jacobs-Vandegeer 52)
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should note that there are some differences exist between various Catholic theologians regarding the sacraments issue as well as means of grace.

For example, Roman Catholics support the following ideas:
“Visible signs, administered rightly, actually convey the grace signified.

Baptism actually cleanses from original sin; penance actually forgives sin; eucharist actually gives spiritual life, and others.

No particular faith is required by the recipient; he need only submit to the form prescribed by the church.

Sacraments have effect only if administered, with proper intent, by an ordained priest of the Roman Catholic Church.” (Inbody 21)

Other views and secularities about sacraments could be named as well. Lutherans think that:
“Faith is required in adults. In the case of infants, the Holy Spirit kindles faith. Grace is given to all recipients, but faith is required to profit from that grace.

The power of the sacraments comes through the word which accompanies the sign; the word always is joined with the Holy Spirit.”

The religious intent of the recipient is not one of the factors which constitute the validity of a sacrament. For the glance of Christ’s love, directed through the Church to the recipient, is prior to any human response. The sacrament remains a pledge of love even when man does not respond to it. (Schillebeeck 133)

The sense and purpose of the whole sacramental event is to bring about encounter with Christ. Since such an encounter must involve both parties, the religious intent of the recipient belongs to the essence of any authentic sacrament; one, that is, which is a personal encounter with the living God. (Schillebeeck 134)

Relation of sacraments and means of grace

A number of questions arise when we’re trying to explain the connection and differences between sacraments and means of grace. For example, “how people should find a difference between the sacraments and those means of grace that aren’t sacraments?” or another question, “why there are some exceptions among the means of grace that are not considered as sacraments”? (Schillebeeck 134)

Sacraments are not announcements of faith, but its visual sign; they have a prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying nature. They are needed for the strength of the faith. “The nature of the sacraments as being distinct from the other means of grace becomes evident. Those means of grace which lack one or more of the before listed characteristics, while certainly still means of grace, are not sacraments.” (Schillebeeck 134)