Gratia non tollit naturam, sed perficit
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Gratia non tollit naturam, sed perficit is translated as 'Grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it', or 'grace does not remove nature but fulfills it'. This phrase is a quote from Thomas Aquinas (c. 1224–1274). He observes, ". . . grace does not destroy nature, but fulfills its potential . . ." (Summa Theologiae (ST) I, 1, 8 ad 2).[1] [2] "Since therefore grace does not destroy nature but perfects it, natural reason should minister to faith as the natural bent of the will ministers to charity." Thomas maintains that the truth of human nature finds total fulfilment through sanctifying grace, since this is "perfectio naturae rationalis creatae" (Quaestiones quodlibetales, 4, 6).[3]
He stated that grace does not contradict nature. God's creation cannot be
See also
References
- ^ Consecrated Phrases: A Latin Theological Dictionary; Latin Expressions Commonly Found in Theological Writings Third Editio, James T. Bretzke (Collegeville:Liturgy Press, 2003)
- ^ Latin quotes by Saint Thomas Aquinas
- ^ "Message to participants in the International Thomistic Congress (September 29, 2003) | John Paul II". w2.vatican.va. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
- ^ Gerhar Suter, "Grace", The Encyclopedia of Protestantism, vol 2, Eds., Hans J. Hillerbrand (London: Routledge, 2004), 831
- ISBN 978-0-664-22469-1.