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Craig White's Literature Courses Grace |
 Erik Enstrom, Grace (1918 photograph) |
Oxford English Dictionary Etymology: Anglo-Norman grase = favor, benevolence
I. Favour, benevolence
1.a. Theology As a quality of God: benevolence towards humanity, bestowed freely and without regard to merit, and which manifests in the giving of blessings and granting of salvation
b. As something received from God by the individual: benevolent divine influence acting upon humanity to impart spiritual enrichment or purity, to inspire virtue, or to give strength to endure trial and resist temptation. Sometimes also thought of as proceeding from Christ or the Holy Spirit.
c. As a quality possessed by human beings: benevolent divine influence regarded as an enduring force in the individual human, having its seat in the soul.
[many variant uses follow]
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