Specifically, if nature is a ruin, as we find in doctrines like "total depravity," then virtue can only come from a supernatural source extrinsic to nature. Virtue is a "divine infusion" into nature. Such a view creates problems, however, when we behold and are inspired by virtuous non-believers.
A different puzzle, though, is treating virtue as a wholly natural capacity, as habits that can be acquired through behavioral technology. To be sure, there is a truth here, but it raises the question about how virtue might be a fruit of the Spirit.
So, what's the solution here?
Well, it seems clear that these puzzles are related to positing that hard contrast between nature and grace, and that if we revisit that assumption some clarity might result.
For example, the Catholic tradition doesn't posit that nature is a ruin. Unlike the theology that came out of the Reformation, with its doctrines of total depravity and the bondage of the will, Catholic thought describes nature as wounded by sin but not wholly ruined. After the sting of sin free will remains, along with some of the capacities and endowments God graced to human beings upon our creation. To be sure, nature is feeble and weak, but its goodness and potency are not wholly eclipsed. Mainly, human nature is lost and wayward, confused about the location and source of its life and well-being. It's less that we are crippled and unable walk then able to walk but lost in a dark woods.
Grace, in this view, heals human nature and leads nature back home. The famous phrase of the Catholic tradition is "Grace perfects nature." And by "perfection" we mean bringing nature to its full developmental maturation. But this doesn't mean that nature, prior to reaching its mature state, is devoid of light and goodness. Grace accompanies, aids, and directs nature toward its goal.
We can speak here of two gifts of grace, the first gift of creation and the second gift of the Spirit. All is grace, first to last. Thus, nature is grace, full stop. All created existence exists in and is sustained by God. Consequently, there's no such thing as a "nature" that is devoid of grace. If you behold anything that exists you behold grace.
With that view in mind, there is no puzzle when we see virtue emerge in the world among non-believers. All virtue, no matter where we observe it, is human nature's longing for God and its rising toward God. Virtue is grace reaching toward Grace. This view was wonderfully described by Maximus the Confessor.
According to Maximus, all of created being exists in the Logos. Each created being, therefore, reflects this connection to God. We each, said Maximus, are the various logoi (plural of logos) of the One Logos. As I've said, nature is not ruined. As logoi nature is connected to the Logos. Grace is the primordial substrate of our existence. And this grace is universal, for to exist is to be held in grace. Consequently, continues Maximus, whenever we see virtue emerge we are witnessing the logoi seeking rest in the Logos. Thus, all of creation is being drawn back to God. Simply put, no matter where we find it, all virtue is grounded in God and is a seeking after God. Here is Maximus:
There can be no doubt that the one Word of God is the substance of virtue in each person. For our Lord Jesus Christ himself is the substance of all the virtues...It is evident that every person who participates in virtue as a matter of habit unquestionably participates in God, the substance of virtues. Whoever by his choices cultivates the good natural seed shows the end to be same as the beginning and the beginning to be the same as the end. Indeed the beginning and the end are one...The inclination to ascend and to see one's proper beginning was implanted in man by nature.
Thus, whenever or wherever we see virtue emerge in human nature we are bearing witness to Christ who is the substance of all virtue. The inclination to ascend to God, to seek our proper beginning, has been implanted in human nature and virtue is nature's desire to make that ascent.
Let me stop here for today. I'll have more to say in the next post. The point to be made is that when we break down the nature/grace divide to behold that all is grace, first to last, the puzzles about the origin and source of virtue evaporate.
