revrogesison
In Wesleyan theology, prevenient grace occupies a fundamental position as the divine initiative that extends grace to humanity before any acceptance or conscious decision regarding salvation. This concept, deeply rooted in the writings of John Wesley, encapsulates the belief that God’s grace is not limited to the moments of conversion. Nevertheless, it pervades the totality of human existence, acting as a preparatory force that permeates the lives of all individuals. Prevented grace is understood as the grace that comes before human action, effectively inviting each person to respond to God’s call towards redemption. The harmonious coexistence of free human will and divine grace holds considerable significance, stating that although humans can choose or reject God, God’s previous grace allows, empowers, and even causes such choices (Warner, 2024). Through his universally appealing framework, inherent grace represents the strong soteriological perspective of Wesley, wherein God, in His love, empowers individuals to acknowledge their need for salvation. This grace does not coerce or predetermine the results; rather, it creates a space for human agency, postulating that although humans are inherently fallen and unable to reach God on their own, they can exercise faith through the work of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. This Prevenient grace, as extensively discussed by J. Alexander Rutherford (2020), is the divine initiative that restores humanity’s ability to choose God, ensuring that salvation remains a genuine possibility for all, irrespective of prior moral or spiritual condition.” Therefore, prevented grace can be seen as a necessary theological response to the problem of sin, positioning humanity not only as passive receptors but also as active participants in the salvific process (Snyder, 2018).
