correlation between faith and reason from a Catholic perspective
This essay canvasses on the correlation between faith and reason from a Catholic perspective. It focuses on Catholic denomination, which has sought to address conflicting church tenets through its Vatican council and seeks reconciliation with other churches. It also addresses contemporary issues such as education, the birth control debate, and celibacy of the clergy. Additionally, it liberates the church to socialize with non-Christians and admonishes racism. Due to its striving to be malleable to the adaptations of the modern churches and seeking to address pertinent issues affecting the church populace, it is the best example of a denomination to examine its faith and resonance (Blanshard 1). Philosophy and theology have clear cut out boundaries but are each complementary to each other for their efficacy in modern application.
Catholics are attuned to making rational decisions independent of emotions in demonstrating God’s existence and his relationship with man. They hold firmly to reason save it is contrary to the church and their revelation. Moreover, physics is wholly untenable in its foundation. It goes beyond what is known; scientists must give new explanations to inexplicable novel findings. They, therefore, rely partly on faith. Additionally, mathematics, which was previously known for providing standard knowledge, maybe speculations to the advantage of the inventors (Blanshard 4). Therefore, unlike other denominations whose beliefs are founded on messianic expectations and disillusions, Catholics fall on rationality.
Philosophy and theologians base their arguments on two sources of knowledge: the knowledge that is naturally acquired through human powers and experience that is acquired through revelation. Catholics fall on Thomas Aquinas’ argument that natural reason is bounded ( Blanshard 6). They, therefore, rely on knowledge gained through revelation which is certain
The channels of revelation are mainly three. First, the spoken word of God, which inspired the writings in the scriptures. Second, the revelation of Mark, Paul, and Peter’s oral teachings are not exhaustively dealt with in the bible. Catholics, therefore, go to an extra-biblical authority to identify the unnamed parts of the bible. Third, the revelation is through the church itself. Peter was told that he would be the rock upon which the church will be built (Blanshard 8-12). Subsequently, the authority has been delegated to his successors.
Compared to daily and natural occurrences, which are inevitable and probable, revelation is inspired by faith. The father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one person are infinite and unconventional knowledge. It goes beyond reason and human experience. Such revelation is dependent on God’s grace and the willingness to believe (Blanshard 24). It is also dependent on the supremacy of God, who can never error nor lead to err.
In conclusion, Catholic’s reasoning is within the boundaries of what is in the scripture and authorised in the church. While theology is grounded on revelation, philosophy depends on adduced evidence. Theology is, at times, grounded on supra-rational. Its assurance is on the supremacy and sovereignty of God, which is undoubtedly unlike philosophic evidence, which may require new explanations if new evidence is provided. Philosophy assumes the competence of reason, which is uncertain.