One of the doctrines Methodism adopted from Arminianism, and further developed, is prevenient grace – the grace that comes before, that invites, encourages, and even urges humans to accept the divine invitation, the grace where freedom, the ability to choose, ability to respond, is given. This paper will explore the connections, similarities and differences between the Arminian version of prevenient grace and prevenient grace in contemporary Methodist theology.
Prevenient grace is a theological rationale for human freedom – why freedom is there, and what freedom is for. What human freedom is for might have changed over the centuries. A contemporary version of prevenient grace can include God’s presence in a multireligious world, in a globalized world and in a world marked by conflict. By prevenient grace, humans are enabled to freedom, to responsibility, to do good. Is that still a doctrine to believe in?