The Meaning of Grace

by Charles Cardinal Journet

Few concepts are more important in Catholic theology than that of grace, but most adult Catholics never move beyond a schoolchild’s understanding of grace. Charles Journet explores philosophy, revelation and history to explain grace fully. Journet lays out both the doctrinal development of grace and corrects persistent mistakes that Catholics make about grace. He covers habitual grace, actual grace, predestination, justification, merit, and much more. He even includes a revealing exploration of Adam’s earthly paradise and how the nature of the Fall called forth God’s response of grace.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Catholic

137 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Charles Journet studied at the seminary in Fribourg before being ordained to the priesthood on 15 July 1917. He did pastoral work in the Diocese of Fribourg until 1924 and taught at the seminary from 1924 to 1965.

Journet was raised to the rank of Domestic Prelate of His Holiness on 13 August 1946 by Pope Pius XII. On February 15, 1965, he was appointed as the Titular Archbishop of Furnos Minor by Pope Paul VI, and he received his episcopal consecration on February 20, 1965. Two days later, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Paul VI, becoming the Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Campitelli.

Journet was a close friend of the renowned philosopher Jacques Maritain, with whom he founded the theological journal "Nova et Vetera" in 1926.

Reviews

[Nathan Suire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cardinal Journet’s little book on grace, which originally was a series of lectures, is wonderfully lucid in expressing the Protestant-Catholic differences on the meaning of nature and grace. It was highly recommended to me by Fr. Thomas Joseph White and it does not disappoint. Here is a quote from Journet explaining the “both/and” logic of the Catholic understanding of merit and justification versus the “either/or” logic of Protestantism.

"'I am the vine, and you are the branches. He that Abideth in me beareth much fruit.' Neither Calvin nor Barth is able to explain this text. Calvin says: So you see, the branch severed from the trunk is thrown into the fire; it cannot, therefore, produce anything. We agree; the severed branch withers, but what if it remains attached to Christ? Then it bears fruit. Does the fruit come from the trunk or the branch? From the trunk through the branch. If we ask Barth whether it is God or man who produces the good act, God or the rose tree that produces the rose, he answers that we base our reasoning on a simile. But the simile is taken from the Gospel!” p 71.

[Guy Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tremendously well written, easy to understand book. I recommend it for anyone who wishes to love God and neighbor more.

[Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully clear & solid exposition of the Catholic teaching on grace. Accessible to the general reader and a useful refresher for those with a theological education. Written in the mid-1950s, so parts of his exposition on the sacraments & on the relationship between the Church & other religions would need to be supplemented on a few small points to take account of the teaching of Vatican II.
Well worth a read.

[David Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is well written and winsome. I personally disagree with the teaching on grace, justification, merit, etc. I also think Journey misrepresents the Reformed position in this things by confusing terms and painting the sole tradition with one stroke. Perhaps that is bound to happen in a short-form work. Nevertheless, this was a clear explanation of the Catholic, and Thomist positions.

[Brittney O · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book pairs well with Augustine’s writings on grace, making his concepts easier to understand.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent content. A little hard to sift through stylistically at times, but still worth the read and quite illuminating on the topic of grace.