One of the most important ideas in the discussion of spiritual formation is that of "means of grace." That term is most commonly found in Lutheran and Methodist writings. But it appears elsewhere, too, and the concept has been with us in some way from the beginning of the church.
We recognize that it is by God's generosity that the world is sustained. All of creation is filled with his grace -- even though at times that grace is in conflict with the devil and the evil forces which have their grip on the world. Grace is to be found everywhere that there is life!
However, there are certain ways in which we encounter grace in a more concentrated form.
We used to put 1 cup of liquid laundry detergent into the washing machine with each load of laundry. However, in the past few years they have come out with concentrated laundry detergent. We now put about 1/3 of a cup of detergent into the load of laundry. The manufactures have figured out how to concentrate the active ingredients of 1 cup into 1/3 of a cup. It is more concentrated.
When we talk of means of grace we are tapping into a similar idea. There are specific areas or activities where we encounter the generosity (or grace) of God in more concentrated forms. We are mysteriously changed and transformed when we make use of and participate in those means of grace.
Here is another way to think of it, means of grace are the pipes through which grace flows to us. There is water all over the place. (We don't see it but there is moisture/water in the air.) But when we turn on the faucet we get a flow of concentrated water. It is likewise with grace. God's grace is all over the place -- but there are certain pipes through which it seems to flow in concentration. The means of grace are those pipes through which the grace of God seems to flow to us in more concentrated forms.
Don Thorsen writes,
...Grace is the unmerited favor with which God deals with people. It is also the outflow of God's goodness and generosity, which may divinely empower people and groups of people.Dr Thorsen has two good categories. However, in my mind I think of means of grace in three categories.
What are the means of grace? They are the divinely instituted channels or ways by which God conveys blessings and empowerment to people. The means of grace are sometimes divided into two categories: first, the formal, instituted, or specific means of grace; and second, the informal, prudential(1), or general means of grace. The former are usually referred to as sacraments or ordinances of the church...
On the other hand, informal means of grace probably occupy the majority of time and involvement on the parts of individual Christians and the church. All the means of grace are thought to be started, continued, and culminated by the gracious work of God, since only God brings about eternal results. Yet, God describes these means in the Bible for our benefit and use. If we wish to grow spiritually or live effectively as Christians, God provides these means as ways by which we may situate ourselves to receive grace and achieve our intended goals. God gives the increase, but -- like Paul -- we are to plant and water the seeds of grace (1 Corinthians 3:16). It is a mystery, finally, with regard to the admixture of divine grace and human responsibility. Never the less, most Christians recognize certain divinely ordained means of grace, in which all may participate regardless of the particular ways in which they believe grace works in and through the lives of believers.
The informal or prudential means of grace include spiritual disciplines. They include disciplines of engagement: study, worship, celebration, confession, submission, and accountability. They also include disciplines of abstinence: solitude, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, confidentiality, and sacrifice.
If people wish to grow spiritually in love for God and others, they may pray to God or study Scripture. They may fast, or spend time in solitude and silence, meditating on God or the Bible. It is believed that God works in and through such means to comfort and encourage people as well as to guide and empower them, according to God's will. The result is greater maturity, personally and spiritually, and greater effectiveness in loving God and others.(2)
1. Sacraments -- the two specific rituals commanded by Jesus for all believers
- Baptism
- Holy Communion (also called the Lord's Supper or Eucharist)
3. Practices -- the disciplines which we practice for the strengthening of our faith. While they are all rooted in scripture they are not all necessarily commanded in scripture. We do some things because wise Christians have found them helpful throughout the ages.
- specific types of prayer
- solitude
- fasting
- scripture memorization and meditation
- daily quiet time
- giving
- acts of kindness
- witnessing
- servanthood
- moderation
- confession
- community worship
- fellowship
- use of the church calendar
- Christian education and the development of the mind
- exploration of spiritual gifts
In someways the categories are artificial and fuzzy. When we create categories and lists we do so only to help us study or explore the significance of the means of grace. In real life all of these means of grace flow together. They are the many instruments in a band -- working together to create a song which moves and changes us.
In the next section we're going to begin to talk about sacraments as means of grace.
SECTION #16 NOTES
(1) Prudential means to be prudent. That is, to have good judgment or common sense. A prudential means of grace is one which just makes good and obvious sense -- even though it might not necessarily be commanded in a specific form.
(2) Don Thorsen, An Exploration of Christian Theology (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2008) pp. 349-350.
ASSIGNMENT #16
1. Write out a definition of "means of grace" in your own words. (5 points possible)
2. Write at least three paragraphs describing the means of grace which have been or are now a part of your life. Which do you think have been the most important for you? (10 points possible)
3. Your nephew has just experienced a very significant conversion and is really excited about Christ. He comes to you one afternoon and asks you to help him "grow" in his faith. What would you tell him to do? (10 points possible)
Again, email your essay to me at bboydston@piu.edu. Write your answers in the email itself -- or if you use a word processor, copy and paste the answers into the email. Make sure that your name, the name which you used to register for this class, appears at the top of the work.
I will respond to you as soon as possible. Do not wait for a response from me before you start working on your next assignment.
