The doctrine of grace, as commonly taught in some theological circles, asserts that all goodness in us is not truly ours but comes entirely from God, while all evil is entirely ours. On the surface, this may sound humble or pious—but when examined closely, it carries a deeply negative and demeaning message.
Think about it: if every act of kindness, courage, or virtue is merely God’s gift and not our own, then human achievement, effort, and moral growth are essentially nullified. You are told that your best qualities are borrowed, while your flaws and sins are entirely your responsibility. This framework subtly erodes self-worth, as it denies personal agency and the intrinsic value of human goodness.
Moreover, this version of “grace” shifts all blame for moral failure onto the individual, while reserving all credit for virtue to God. It’s a worldview that leaves no room for human dignity, accomplishment, or the possibility of genuinely earned goodness.
In this sense, what is called “grace” here is not liberating—it is oppressive. It positions humanity as eternally dependent, never fully capable of moral responsibility or of genuine goodness. It does not free or empower; it diminishes and controls.
True moral development and human flourishing require recognizing that goodness can indeed belong to us, that we are capable of virtuous action, and that we can take responsibility for our lives—without collapsing into despair over the inevitability of sin. Grace, if it exists at all, should never demean humanity; a gospel that diminishes human value is not a gospel at all.
The more moderate view that our good is not entirely ours is only less harmful but is still inexcusable. Arguably, it is more dangerous for it is a slow-burner. Arguably, it is only superficially moderate.
How Catholicism says it doctrine that we actively co-operate with God's grace unlike the Calvinist view where our good deeds are really all down to God comes to mind. It is portrayed as a kinder and less extreme view. That is mere advertising. Do not fall for it.
Jesus and Paul offered a fake gospel, a gospel of grace. The sacraments and prayer promise grace and are to be condemned. The crucifix stands for how Jesus died to bring grace to us. Condemn it.
So you say your evil is all yours - you imply the same thing about everybody else. When you say human good comes from God, you must also admit you are giving people the right to say evil comes only from Satan too. You must tell them they have that right. You must support them. It is only fair. This reductio a
The teaching that evil is nothing but a lack of good and this is encouraging means nothing with such a judgemental demeaning theology.