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Knowing God’s Existence through Reason

Knowing God’s Existence through Reason. CCC #31-35 “Proofs” = converging and convincing arguments From the perspective of the world and the human person Aristotle --- one First Cause Saint Thomas Aquinas --- The 5 Ways of coming to know God’s existence.

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Knowing God’s Existence through Reason

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  1. Knowing God’s Existence through Reason CCC #31-35 “Proofs” = converging and convincing arguments From the perspective of the world and the human person Aristotle --- one First Cause Saint Thomas Aquinas --- The 5 Ways of coming to know God’s existence

  2. Natural Revelation--- what God communicates simply through the existence of creation (We can know something about God from the visible works of creation--- “a cause is known by its effects”)

  3. Difficulties in coming to know God by reason alone: • Some truths are beyond the grasp of human reason (they are above human reason, not irrational) • As a consequence of original sin, our intellect is darkened and we can sometimes make wrong conclusions… thus the need for Revelation • Fallen reason means it would be difficult, fraught with doubt, and with an admixture of error

  4. Principle Errors Regarding the Existence of God • Atheism • Agnosticism • Rationalism • Fideism (See Handout)

  5. Science and Reason • Are they the same thing? • How can we distinguish them? Think about it!

  6. Science • Cannot prove that God exists • Is a way of knowing about the world of nature • Systematic observation of the world • Seek to understand laws and structure that govern nature • Science is a restriction of reason, not reason itself • Seeks those truths which can be demonstrated

  7. Consider……Examples • Human person • Hamlet and a stack of papers • Science makes use of reason, but reason is much more than science. • Science can measure some things well, but it can’t measure everything well. • Why is this important??? Some would argue that things that cannot be measured scientifically either do not exist or cannot be known. (Scientism) • Scientists also depend on the world being knowable (intelligibility of the world…not chance)

  8. See 1 John 4:7-18 • What is meant by Divine Revelation? CCC #50-53 • What is our response to Divine Revelation? CCC #150-165

  9. Divine Revelation CCC #50-53 • God comes to meet us! • He chooses to reveal Himself • He makes known his plan of loving goodness • Revealed by deeds and words • Gradually communicated • Culminates in the definitive Revelation of his Son, Jesus Christ • No further Revelation after Christ

  10. YouCat #7 • God opened Himself to us out of Love • Seen in Creation, the patriarchs, the prophets, and ultimately His Son “In Him, He has poured out His heart to us and made His inmost being visible for us.”

  11. Faith---An Individual Response • To respond to God means to believe Him: • To listen • To be attentive • To believe Him • To trust Him completely • To learn to understand Him better and better • To accept His will

  12. Faith • Read CCC #142-144 • CCC #166 “Faith is a personal act--- the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself…”

  13. 7 Characteristics of Faith • Sheer Gift • Supernatural • Personal assent/free will • Absolutely Certain • Faith Love (action follows being) • Element of Growth • Foretaste of Heaven (Parachute example)

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