Sed Contra: A Podcast of Catholic Theology Thinking About the Virtue of Faith with St Thomas Part II
Oct 27, 2025
Father John Wilson is a Priest of the Archdiocese of New York and a theology doctoral candidate, while Molly Egglesrud is a teaching fellow in moral theology. They explore Aquinas’s view of faith, stressing its nuanced, reflective nature that contrasts with mere opinion. The discussion delves into the distinction between living and 'dead' faith, highlighting the vital role of the will and charity in genuine belief. They also unpack the articles of faith, examining their interconnectedness and the importance of public revelation in stabilizing faith.
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Faith As Thinking With Assent
- Faith is an act of the intellect defined as thinking with assent toward unseen truths.
- That assent is firm yet still involves ongoing rumination because the object of faith is not visually evident.
Threefold Structure Of The One Act
- Aquinas presents one act of faith with three relations: toward God as revealer, toward the content revealed, and toward union with God.
- The third relation (believing unto God) involves the will and anticipates beatific union, linking faith to charity.
Will Moves Intellect In Faith
- Faith uniquely requires the will to move the intellect because unseen objects don't compel assent like scientific truths do.
- That will-movement can exist without charity, producing a morally good but unstable 'dead' faith.
