Aquinas: Harmonizing Faith and Reason

Aquinas: Harmony of Faith and Reason

The position of Aquinas is both harmonizing and innovative. Many truths are treated by both faith and reason, albeit differently. While paths and perspectives may initially diverge, they ultimately converge at the same point: truth.

Reason and Philosophy

Philosophers, Aquinas reminds us, employ principles accessible to human reason. Thomistic epistemology incorporates the Aristotelian perspective, distinguishing between sensible knowledge and intellectual knowledge, utilizing the mental tool of abstraction. Both philosophers and theologians use reason, but theologians also accept the principles of authority, faith, and divine revelation.

Faith and Theology

Theology and philosophy cannot contradict each other, as all truths originate from God. Reason provides a system and method, but faith becomes the ultimate criterion of truth. When reason reaches a conclusion differing from faith, faith holds the final authority. Aquinas believes a true conflict between faith and reason is impossible because truth is singular and God-based.

The Existence of God

Can human reason prove God's existence? It is not immediately obvious; otherwise, no one would deny it. Aquinas distinguishes between:

• Natural theological truths: Accessible through natural reason.
• Revealed theological truths: Accessible through divine revelation.

God's existence is a revealed truth but also attainable through human rational capacity. Some truths, however, require divine revelation for understanding, deemed necessary for human salvation.

Knowing and Believing

It is impossible to know and believe the same thing simultaneously. Knowledge precludes faith; faith involves risk. A proven faith is not faith. Dogmas are not rationally proven truths but rather an introduction to faith.