Nature:
* Innate potential: For Aquinas, "nature" refers to the inherent capabilities and tendencies given to humans by God at creation. This includes our rational intellect, free will, and natural inclinations towards good.
* God's initial gift: Nature is not merely a biological concept, but a divine gift. It represents the initial endowment God provides to humanity.
Grace:
* God's supernatural assistance: Grace is the freely given, supernatural assistance from God that enables us to achieve salvation. This assistance is not earned, but a gift from God's love and mercy.
* Elevating nature: Grace does not replace our natural faculties but elevates and perfects them. It allows us to operate at a level beyond our natural abilities.
The Relationship:
* Building, not replacing: Aquinas believed that grace does not "erase" nature. Instead, it builds upon it, like a building erected on a strong foundation. He compares grace to the sun's heat, which doesn't destroy plants but helps them flourish.
* Enabling us to fulfill our purpose: By building on nature, grace allows us to fulfill our ultimate purpose: to know and love God. Grace empowers us to overcome our natural limitations and achieve a state of supernatural perfection.
Examples:
* Faith: Faith is a gift of grace, but it builds upon our natural capacity for belief and reason. Grace allows us to assent to truths beyond our natural grasp.
* Charity: Charity is a supernatural gift that allows us to love God and neighbor with a depth that surpasses natural affection.
* Virtues: Grace perfects and elevates our natural virtues (like courage and justice) to become infused virtues, which allow us to act in accord with God's will.
Implications:
* Importance of human effort: Aquinas emphasizes that while grace is necessary for salvation, it does not negate human responsibility. We must cooperate with God's grace through our own free will and efforts.
* Hope for all: The principle that grace builds on nature highlights the hopefulness of God's plan for all people. While we are limited by our nature, grace offers the possibility of exceeding our natural limitations and achieving divine communion.
In summary: St. Thomas Aquinas's idea that grace builds on nature suggests that God works with our natural capabilities to bring us to salvation. It emphasizes the importance of human free will, the possibility of supernatural transformation, and the essential role of God's grace in our journey.
