During this year of Grace, it is timely to consider whether Faith and
Reason are interwined or as secular society would like us to believe
that Faith and Reason are exclusive. My purpose for writing this series
is to explore this by examining carefully the encyclical called "
Fides et Ratio"- Faith and Reason written by the late Pope John Paul 11.
I hope that during these next 8-10 weeks, you may explore with me, find
your own answers and be able to communicate the truth to others. I also
hope that in studying this encyclical you will be blessed with many
graces.
Last week we examined the introduction. For those who missed it, you may like to review it before continuing. In today's post, we explore chapter 1 entitled the revelation of God's wisdom.
God
decided to reveal himself and to let mankind know what His will was,
namely that Christ the Word made flesh enabled mankind to have access to
the Father in the Holy Spirit and to share in the divine nature. God
is the source of all love, and thus mankind was sponsored by God in
knowing the meaning of life.
The
First Vatican Council stressed the supernatural character of God’s
Revelation, and reaffirmed emphatically that there exists a faith
knowledge surpassing the knowledge proper to human reason, which
nevertheless by its nature can discover the Creator. This emphasis by
the Council was to counter the rationalist critique of the time that
attacked faith, and denied the possibility of any knowledge which was
not the fruit of reason’s natural capacities.
The
First Vatican Council taught that the truth attained by philosophy and
Revelation is neither identical nor mutually exclusive. Philosophy uses
natural reason and intellects whilst as its source, which Revelation is
derived from divine faith, guided by the Holy Spirit, to reveal to man
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who is our salvation.
The Second Vatican Council stressed the salvific character of God’s
Revelation in history in the nature of Christ, who is the mediator with
God for man’s salvation and at the same time the fullness of all
Revelation.
God’s Revelation is immersed in time and history. Two thousand years
ago, Jesus Christ, the Son of God took flesh to teach men through His
words and deeds, His signs and wonders, but especially through His death
and glorious Resurrection from the dead, and finally by sending the
Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit is instrumental in helping the Church
to discover the contents of revealed truth. The
truth communicated in Christ’s Revelation is no longer confined to a
particular place or culture, but is offered to every man and woman who
would welcome it as the word which is the absolutely valid source of
meaning for human life.
Reason before the mystery.
Revelation
remains charged with mystery, but it is faith alone that enables us to
penetrate the mystery and to understand it coherently. Faith
acknowledges the divinity of God, by His transcendence and supreme
freedom. Faith enables Christians to believe the truth of what is
revealed because God, who is absolute truth, said so. Man and woman can
accomplish no more important act in their lives than the act of faith,
which gives them freedom to live according to God’s design. Revelation has a sacramental character especially the Eucharist, which
under the appearance of bread becomes the body of Christ, our God.
Faith accepts this fact. Knowledge proper to faith does not destroy
the mystery of revelation.
Revelation has set within history a reference point, which cannot be
ignored if the mystery of human life is to be known. However the human
mind can never know fully the mystery of God in His infinity. Nevertheless
the human mind can do all in its power to extend the range of its
knowledge to understand the implications of Revelation by God.
Christian
Revelation, being absolute truth, enables humans to be open to the
transcendent whilst respecting their autonomy and their freedom. God
has offered to mankind the possibility of learning about His plan of
love for His children from the time of creation.
The Pope concludes this chapter by stating that: ‘the
truth made known to us by Revelation is neither the product nor the
consummation of an argument devised by human reason. It appears instead
as something gratuitous, which itself stirs thought and, seeks
acceptance as an expression of love’.
The
ultimate purpose of personal existence then is the theme of philosophy
and theology alike, which ultimately lead to the full and lasting joy of
the contemplation of the Triune God.
Next week: Chapter 2:
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