Thank you for this. Refreshing truth, in an age when seemingly a vast majority seek the quick fix, the easy remedy. I would like to add something, based on nothing more than my own experience and of a few to whom I am close. Great sorrow, the loss of someone we love more than our own lives, the shadow of death that follows close on our heels in this fallen world, from our first breath to our last -- such pain, grief and fear can open our being to the unsought mercy of God, precisely in moments when all hope has been lost.
A very good post. "Apologetics" types can get into trouble trying to "prove" the truth of the Faith from necessary reasons, which is antithetical to faith itself. As St. Thomas Aquinas says (in 'De Rationibus Fidei'): "Just as our faith cannot be proved by necessary reasons, because it exceeds the human mind, so because of its truth it cannot be refuted by any necessary reason. So any Christian disputing about the articles of the faith should not try to prove the faith, but defend the faith. Thus blessed Peter did not say: always have your proof, but your answer ready (1 Pet 3:15), so that reason can show that what the Catholic faith holds is not false."
Also thought I'd throw in this recording of the Exsultet, as a seasonal example of the beautiful, yet liturgical: https://youtu.be/nP_5YxIAV2E
As one who has "wrestled with God" for many years this was a profound and enlightening read. I especially want to thank you for introducing me to the word "agnōsia", I had not heard that one before, it's a beauty.
In order to act in the world we need to reason about our actions, either to plan and coordinate our actions pre-action or to justify and explain our actions post-action, these are inescapable facets of living together in a shared reality. This reasoning as you say is relative to a metaphysics, and so to act in the world one needs a metaphysics, as well as faith. Does your faith lead you to a metaphysics you view as coherent with that faith, or is your metaphysical model of the world informed by other notions? In your view, in what ways can faith inform our metaphysical model of reality and through it inform our reasons and actions for a better world? I realize these are wide questions, but I’m curious about how faith can be an effective force of change in a wider world without this faith, a world that to a large extent requires reasoning to be quantitatively justified, as opposed to intuitive and holistic.
Outstanding work Johann. This beautifully captured the journey between intellectual dependence and the leap (and freedom) of faith. I'll be sharing this one with many of our attendees.
“For if you want to find God, you are already praying. You are in the atrium of faith, and now you must walk through the door into the great hall in which the fire burns.”
That line hit me like a ton of bricks. Thank you for this, I needed to hear it.
Thank you for this. Refreshing truth, in an age when seemingly a vast majority seek the quick fix, the easy remedy. I would like to add something, based on nothing more than my own experience and of a few to whom I am close. Great sorrow, the loss of someone we love more than our own lives, the shadow of death that follows close on our heels in this fallen world, from our first breath to our last -- such pain, grief and fear can open our being to the unsought mercy of God, precisely in moments when all hope has been lost.
When people ask if I believe in God, I say, god is what there is, so what is there to believe, it’s the only thing there is.
One energy. The physicists came to the same conclusion as monotheists.
Very inspiring, thank you. I have gone through the process from stubborn atheist to lapsed catholic. I do believe that man needs God in some way.
Knowing truth isn’t about more knowing, it’s about unknowing the false.
“modernity has twisted and deceived your mind, allowing you to access only a thin slice of reality.”
Love this line
A very good post. "Apologetics" types can get into trouble trying to "prove" the truth of the Faith from necessary reasons, which is antithetical to faith itself. As St. Thomas Aquinas says (in 'De Rationibus Fidei'): "Just as our faith cannot be proved by necessary reasons, because it exceeds the human mind, so because of its truth it cannot be refuted by any necessary reason. So any Christian disputing about the articles of the faith should not try to prove the faith, but defend the faith. Thus blessed Peter did not say: always have your proof, but your answer ready (1 Pet 3:15), so that reason can show that what the Catholic faith holds is not false."
Also thought I'd throw in this recording of the Exsultet, as a seasonal example of the beautiful, yet liturgical: https://youtu.be/nP_5YxIAV2E
Very moving. I enjoyed the recordings. Thank you.
As one who has "wrestled with God" for many years this was a profound and enlightening read. I especially want to thank you for introducing me to the word "agnōsia", I had not heard that one before, it's a beauty.
Faith is a gift, reason is a gift, and the fact that God deigns to give us either (never mind both!) boggles the mind. Thanks for the beautiful essay.
The intellect is the last to understand.
In order to act in the world we need to reason about our actions, either to plan and coordinate our actions pre-action or to justify and explain our actions post-action, these are inescapable facets of living together in a shared reality. This reasoning as you say is relative to a metaphysics, and so to act in the world one needs a metaphysics, as well as faith. Does your faith lead you to a metaphysics you view as coherent with that faith, or is your metaphysical model of the world informed by other notions? In your view, in what ways can faith inform our metaphysical model of reality and through it inform our reasons and actions for a better world? I realize these are wide questions, but I’m curious about how faith can be an effective force of change in a wider world without this faith, a world that to a large extent requires reasoning to be quantitatively justified, as opposed to intuitive and holistic.
Outstanding work Johann. This beautifully captured the journey between intellectual dependence and the leap (and freedom) of faith. I'll be sharing this one with many of our attendees.
This is really good. Thanks.
OK, fine you got me, subscribed for a year.
You best work so far, fantastic stuff.
Wonderful article, those songs reminded me of the song "today he is hung upon the tree" unbelievably moving.
https://youtu.be/x2zkcsCpOGE?si=wu1IoMVvp19m4WS1
“For if you want to find God, you are already praying. You are in the atrium of faith, and now you must walk through the door into the great hall in which the fire burns.”
That line hit me like a ton of bricks. Thank you for this, I needed to hear it.