Is it Rational to Believe in God? | Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.
Jul 31, 2024
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Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., a Dominican priest and adjunct professor of dogmatic theology, dives deep into the relationship between faith and rationality. He discusses how modern society grapples with belief amidst existentialist ideas, examining the role of trust and knowledge. Fr. Pine emphasizes the distinction between natural and supernatural faith and highlights how genuine fulfillment derives from a relationship with God. He elaborates on Aquinas's philosophical arguments for God's existence, presenting faith as a logical response to our reality.
The introduction of Aquinas 101 aims to enhance understanding of St. Thomas Aquinas through interactive learning and certification.
The distinction between natural and supernatural faith highlights faith as a reasonable response to existential complexities and divine revelation.
Deep dives
Launching Aquinas 101: A New Learning Platform
A new digital platform called Aquinas 101 is being introduced to provide an interactive and customized learning environment centered on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas. This platform will feature a side-by-side Latin to English translation of the Summa Theologiae, allowing users to engage deeply with the text. Participants can earn certificates of achievement as they complete sections, enhancing their understanding of Aquinas’s philosophy. Those interested can sign up to receive notifications when the platform goes live, making it accessible for anyone eager to explore Aquinas's work.
Faith's Role in Modern Society
The current societal climate often presents faith as either rational or irrational, depending on individual perspectives and backgrounds. In places like Seattle, known for its secularity, many individuals are unsympathetic to religious claims, making it essential for believers to find common ground. Through literature and philosophy, especially existentialist works, a sense of existential dread is recognized among those who feel detached from faith, as exemplified by literary figures like Mersault. The discourse emphasizes that despite these challenges, faith can be presented as a sincere and reasonable response to the complexities of human experience.
Understanding Faith: Natural and Supernatural
The podcast distinguishes between natural faith and supernatural faith, explaining that natural faith involves knowledge derived from human testimony and experience. It outlines various forms of belief, such as doubt, opinion, and knowledge, with faith representing a unique form of understanding based on trust in others. Supernatural faith, on the other hand, is defined as assent to truths revealed by God, representing a deeper, more profound belief system. St. Thomas Aquinas' arguments about the existence of God demonstrate how this faith transcends empirical verification and invites believers into a transformative relationship with the divine.
The Reasonableness of Supernatural Faith
Supernatural faith is characterized as a reasonable act of trust in God's ultimate truth, providing insight into the divine despite its non-empirical nature. The podcast argues that believing in God is not detached from reason, as individuals actively evaluate testimonies and experiences that affirm their faith. It discusses the profound implications of receiving God's revelation, which not only grants believers access to divine truth but also allows them to engage with the deeper meaning of existence. This relationship fosters stability and hope, leading believers to find purpose and identity beyond the ephemeral nature of worldly experiences.
Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. (Dominican House of Studies) is from Pennsylvania and graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He previously served as the Assistant Director of Campus Outreach for the Thomistic Institute in Washington, DC, and associate pastor of St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church in Louisville, KY where he also taught at Bellarmine University. He currently serves as an adjunct professor of dogmatic theology at the Dominican House of Studies and an Assistant Director of the Thomistic Institute. He is a contributor on the Pints with Aquinas show and a co-host of the Catholic Classics podcast.
Fr. Gregory is the author of Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly (Our Sunday Visitor, 2022) and co-author with Matt Fradd of Marian Consecration With Aquinas: A Nine Day Path for Growing Closer to the Mother of God (TAN Books, 2020).
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