The role of reason within theology

It is also important to note that even though Christians have the freedom to use reason in understanding the mysteries of faith; it has its limits beyond which it would be overstepping its mandate because there are things that are beyond human comprehension. However, it is unsatisfactory to the mind to get a truth that something is the way it is but why it is so. Kim Riddle mark remarks ‘’ a man cannot acquiesce to the truth of the Gospel apart from enabling of the Holy Spirit. But, a man cannot acquiesce to that which he either does not know or believe to be true. It is thus an illegitimate separation of faith a mind or heart, faith or reason dichotomy’’ (2015) The Vatican Council, (As cited by Morales & Fidago) states that; ‘’when reason enlightened by faith seeks diligently, piously and prudently, then it is able to reach a certain fruitful understanding of the mysteries with the help of God.

” Use of philosophical reasoning and all its possibility for knowing is crucial for theological works. Through reason knowledge of the divine authority thus becomes materialised and factual to human understanding hence relieved from external opposing forces such as atheism and irrational beliefs. Most importantly, philosophical reason provides a technical sense and the difficult disagreements that enable the believers to satisfy their sincere wants and queries of the human mind by; analysing the available religious information, reconstructing the foundation of faith, find fittingness of religious beliefs, defending the Christian beliefs and doctrines and demonstrating the validity of Christian beliefs. Theology as a science which uses philosophy and reason to analyse and demonstrate God’s existence and attributes. According to Freingold, (n. (Hawkins, 1999) In many circumstances, theological reasoning has been used to conceptualise the foundation of faith and at the same time, provide evidence to prove that the gospel of the lord should be acknowledged and accepted faithfully by a sensible person.

Therefore, reasoning appeals more to man than arguments based on authority. Feingold, (n. d) states that authoritative arguments do not explain why a certain phenomenon is a fact, but literally assumes the truthfulness of the assertion because of the authority of the one who upholds it, without questioning and demanding the reasons why it is so. Theology being a human science, arguments of authority is generally the weakest in trying to save faith. He stresses that Christian evangelists should use rational thinking when interpreting the word of God. Augustine states that pagan thinking studies what is everlasting and unchangeable thus it can be used to elucidate and illumine the Christian faith. Hence logic, history and natural sciences are vital and helpful in matters of deducing indefinite symbols in the scriptures.

Consequentially, reason analyses the protestations of faith and confirmations that faith has the ability to defend itself. The role of reason is to properly analyse the doubts and the reproaches that often rise to challenge Christian teachings and faith. (Feingold, n. d) Aquinas (as demonstrated by Swindal, n. d) in his argument to prove Gods existence uses reason i. e. argument from motion. Retrieved from http://www. hebrewcatholic. net Matt Slick, reasons –Christian apologetics & research Ministry, why we need apologetics retrieved from https://carm. org Philosophy of religion second edition -St Thomas Aquinas-Faith and reason – edited by Peterson Hasker Reichenbach, and Basinger. (2002) Professor Craig S. Springer, Dordrecht The first Vatican council, in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Catholic Faith, (chapter 5’’on faith and Reason’’ (1869-1870).