GOD ‘S LOVE AND HUMAN COOPERATION

Synergetism—God’s and human activity
The Son of God descended from heaven, the Fathers say, just so that we may ascend to heaven. According to the old definition, prayer, and therefore religion itself, is the ascent (Greek anabasis) of the soul to God. Ascent means effort and work. And what if it’s a job in vain? Who performs on the top, although closer to the light, is almost as far from the sun as the one who remained below. It is no wonder that Christian doctors have shown a fundamental distrust of human endeavor. We are not saved by works but only by faith. Faith is then a gift, not merit. This well-known sentence became a slogan at the time of the Reformation. We humans don’t ascend to heaven, but God has come down to us to save us. In ascetic theology, they pose the same problem as questions: What is the function? What role do human forces play there? Is it about God’s life in us, about gaining grace? If we call human endeavor “asceticism” and connection with God “mysticism,” then the authors ask, “What is the relationship between them?” We know very well that in both the Eastern and Western Churches, monasticism became the main revival movement. Catholic and even non-Catholic church historians are then united in considering a firm belief that there is unity between asceticism and mysticism as one of the main pillars of religious life. Progress in the spiritual life corresponds to the effort of a person who works with grace. Greek God’s Grace and Human Cooperation: This is often referred to as synergetism, the joint action of human forces and the Holy Spirit. “But then grace is no longer grace, voluntary and the free gift of God!” objected the opponents. With a simple, clear comparison, Pseudo- Makarios answered this objection already in the 4th century. Human effort is like work for a farmer. Everyone knows that it is not enough just to plow and sow. The harvest depends on the sun, rain, and weather. Sometimes, with great effort, little is gained, or vice versa. And yet it is normal: the better the field is cultivated, the better the yield. The same is true: «Normal law of grace.» Here, too, it is true: “Man, do it, and God will help you! ” But grace is a free, voluntary gift from God. God gives life and activity, and it animates the whole man, his heart, mind, and strength (cf. Mt 22:37). Here, God’s love must meet human love.