Christian Thinkers: A Journey

Through Faith and Reason

The existence of God, including the famous
ontological argument.
The relationship between faith and reason in
understanding religious truths.
The importance of virtues for living a good life.
The nature of good and evil.
The power of logic and reason in philosophical
theology.
St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)
• "For surely even a fool understands that
something which exists in the understanding
alone is less perfect than something which
also exists in reality." (Proslogion)
• How can something existing only in the mind
be less perfect than something existing in
reality?
 The ontological Argument:
• St. Anselm argues that by definition, God is
the being than which no greater being can be
conceived. Imagine such a being with all the
greatest attributes imaginable – infinite
goodness, power, knowledge, etc. However, if
this being exists only in your mind, wouldn't it
be even greater if it also existed in reality?
 Why Existence Matters:
• Anselm argues that existence is a perfection. A
being that exists has more reality and
completeness than one that exists only in the
mind. Imagine a perfect car. A perfect car in
your mind can't take you anywhere, but a
perfect car that exists in reality can. In the
same way, a being with all the greatest
attributes existing only in the mind would be
lacking the perfection of existing in reality.
 Therefore, God Must Exist:
• Anselm concludes that if we can conceive of a
being than which no greater can be conceived,
then that being must exist in reality. Because if
it didn't exist, we could conceive of something
greater – a being with all the same perfect
attributes who also exists in reality. This
contradicts the initial definition of God as the
greatest conceivable being.
 Criticisms of the Argument:
• Just because we can conceive of something
existing doesn't mean it actually exists in
reality. For example, we can conceive of a
perfect flying horse, but that doesn't mean
flying horses exist.
 St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
• "Faith is to believe what you do not see; the
reward of this faith is to see what you
believe." (Sermons)
• Key Points:
– Reason is important but limited by sin.
– Faith is a gift from God that allows us to accept
truths beyond reason.
– Illumination by the Divine strengthens reason to
grasp spiritual truths.
– Faith and reason work together in harmony.
Augustine's Harmony of Faith and Reason:
Illumination by the Divine
• St. Augustine grappled with the relationship
between faith and reason throughout his life.
He ultimately believed that both are necessary
for true knowledge, particularly when it
comes to understanding God.
 Reason Alone is Insufficient:
• While Augustine valued reason and logic, he
believed human reason is limited by sin. In his
early years, he relied solely on reason, but it
couldn't answer his deepest questions about God
and his own purpose. He famously stated, "Faith
is to believe what you do not see; the reward of
this faith is to see what you believe." Faith, for
Augustine, is a gift from God that allows us to
accept truths beyond the grasp of pure reason.
 Illumination by the Divine:
• Augustine proposed the concept of
illumination by the Divine. He believed that
God, through his grace, illuminates our minds
and allows us to understand the truths of
faith. This illumination doesn't bypass reason;
instead, it strengthens and guides our reason
towards a deeper understanding.
 Analogy of Seeing:
• Imagine trying to see in a dark room. Reason,
like our eyesight, is limited in the darkness.
Faith, like a lit candle, allows us to see the
objects in the room (spiritual truths).
However, the candle doesn't replace our
eyesight; it strengthens it and allows us to see
more clearly.
 Harmony, not Competition:
• Augustine envisioned faith and reason
working together in harmony. Faith provides
the foundation for our beliefs, while reason
helps us understand and articulate those
beliefs. We first encounter God through faith,
and then reason helps us explore the
implications and deepen our understanding.
 St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
• "I answer that, in each genus, something is found
that is the greatest in that genus, and that to
which all others in that genus look in a certain
way; thus, fire, which is the hottest of all bodies,
is that by which the nature of heat in all bodies is
measured; and God, Who is most perfect in all
being, is that by which we measure the perfection
of all beings, and according to Whom we say that
one thing is more perfect than another." (Summa
Theologica)
 The Five Ways of Aquinas: Unveiling the
Unseen
• Unlike Anselm's ontological argument based on
pure reason, Aquinas presented five arguments,
collectively known as the "Five Ways," that
draw on observations of the natural world.
• These arguments aim to demonstrate the
necessity of God's existence by pointing to
various aspects of the universe that require a
first cause, an ultimate explanation. Here's a
brief introduction to the first two Ways.
 1. The Argument from Motion (Unmoved
Mover):
• We observe objects in motion.
• Everything that is in motion is moved by
something else.
• This chain of causation cannot continue
infinitely.
• There must be a first mover, an unmoved
mover, that initiates all motion without being
moved itself.
• Aquinas identifies this unmoved mover as God.
2. The Argument from Efficient Cause:
• Everything that exists has a cause.
• Not everything can be its own cause, or we
would have an infinite regress.
• There must be a first cause, an uncaused
cause, that brings about the existence of
everything else.
• Aquinas identifies this first cause as God.
 3. The Argument from Contingency:
• We observe that many things in the universe
could have not existed (contingent beings).
• If everything were contingent, there could
have been a time when nothing existed.
• But something does exist, therefore there
must be a being that necessarily exists (not
contingent) – the source of all existence.
• Aquinas identifies this necessary being as God.
 4. The Argument from Degree:
• We observe gradations of perfection in the
world (good, better, best; more true, less true).
• These gradations point to a standard or
ultimate measure of that perfection.
• There must be a supreme being that is the
most perfect in every way.
• Aquinas identifies this most perfect being as
God.
5. The Argument from Teleology (Design):

• We observe order and purpose in nature (e.g.,

organs in a body functioning together).
• This order suggests an intelligent designer
who planned it.
• The universe exhibits a similar order and
purpose, pointing to a supreme designer.
• Aquinas identifies this designer as God.
 The Power of Five:
• These Five Ways together provide a multifaceted
argument for God's existence. They showcase how
various aspects of the universe – motion, causation,
contingency, perfection, and design – all point to the
necessity of a first cause, an ultimate explanation – God.
• Key Points:
• The Five Ways present a cumulative argument for God's
existence.
• Each Way focuses on a different feature of the natural
world.
• Together, they build a strong case for the existence of a
first cause – God.
 The Ontological Argument Revisited
Aquinas, while a brilliant thinker himself, disagreed with Anselm's ontological
argument for God's existence. Here's why:
• Limited Understanding of God: Aquinas believed our human
understanding of God is limited. We can conceive of great attributes, but
that doesn't necessarily translate to God's actual essence. Just because we
can imagine something existing in our minds doesn't mean it exists in
reality.
• Existence and Essence: Aquinas argued that for Anselm's argument to
work, we would need to know that God's existence is part of his essence
(what makes God, God). However, Aquinas believed God's essence is
beyond our full comprehension. We can't definitively say that existence is
inherent to God's essence based solely on our limited understanding.
• Reason and Revelation: Unlike Anselm, who relied purely on reason,
Aquinas placed more emphasis on both reason and revelation from God.
He believed the Five Ways, grounded in observations of the world,
provided a more reliable path to understanding God's existence.
 Key Points:
• Aquinas respected reason but saw limitations
in proving God's existence solely through
concepts.
• He questioned whether we can fully grasp
God's essence, including the relationship
between existence and essence.
• Aquinas favored the Five Ways, connecting
reason to observations of the natural world.
 Christian Virtues: A Compass for Moral
Living
• The concept of virtues plays a central role in
Christian thought, offering a roadmap for living a
good and moral life. Let's explore how each of our
philosophers viewed virtues:
• St. Anselm:
• While Anselm didn't write extensively on virtues,
his focus on God's perfection implies the
importance of humans striving to cultivate virtues
that reflect God's attributes like goodness, love,
and justice.
 St. Augustine:
• Heavily influenced by Plato and Aristotle,
Augustine emphasized the cardinal virtues:
prudence (wisdom in practical matters), justice
(giving everyone their due), fortitude (courage to
do good), and temperance (moderation in
desires).
• He believed these virtues, along with theological
virtues like faith, hope, and charity (love), were
essential for aligning oneself with God's will and
achieving true happiness.
 St. Thomas Aquinas:
• Building on Aristotle, Aquinas developed a
comprehensive theory of virtues. He categorized them
as intellectual (prudence) and moral (cardinal virtues).
• Moral virtues are acquired through habit and practice.
By consistently choosing to act justly, courageously,
and temperately, we become more virtuous people.
• Aquinas believed virtues were essential for flourishing
as human beings and living in accordance with God's
plan.
 Virtues and the Moral Life:
• For all three philosophers, virtues were not just
abstract concepts, but practical tools for
navigating the complexities of life. By cultivating
these virtues, Christians could:
• Make sound decisions (prudence).
• Treat others fairly (justice).
• Persevere through challenges (fortitude).
• Control their desires (temperance).
• Live with love and compassion (charity).
 Living a Virtuous Life:
• The pursuit of virtues is an ongoing journey. Christians
believe that God's grace empowers individuals to overcome
weaknesses and grow in virtue. Through prayer, reflection,
and living out these virtues in daily life, individuals can strive
to become more Christ-like.
• Further Exploration:
• Consider how the cardinal virtues can be applied to real-life
situations.
• Explore the concept of the "fruits of the Spirit" mentioned in
the Bible (Galatians 5:22-23) – love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-
control. How do these fruits relate to the cardinal virtues?
 The Power of Reason: Unveiling Faith
through Logic
• Logic and reason were instrumental tools for
all three Christian thinkers we've explored, but
they held varying degrees of emphasis. Here's
a breakdown:
 St. Anselm:
• While Anselm valued logic and reason, his
focus leaned towards the ontological
argument, a thought experiment relying on
reason alone to prove God's existence.
 St. Augustine:
• Augustine acknowledged the importance of
reason, but believed faith was crucial for
accessing deeper truths about God.
• He envisioned reason working alongside faith,
like a lamp illuminating the path guided by
belief.
 St. Thomas Aquinas:
• Aquinas stands out for his strong emphasis on logic and
reason. He believed reason was a God-given gift and a
vital tool for understanding the world, including faith
and religious concepts.
• His Five Ways, for example, utilize logical reasoning –
observing the natural world and applying principles of
cause and effect – to arrive at the conclusion of God's
existence.
• Aquinas employed logic and reason to analyze scripture,
clarify theological concepts, and build a coherent system
of Christian thought.
 Logic and Faith - A Dance, Not a Duel
• For Aquinas, logic and reason weren't meant to
replace faith, but rather to strengthen and refine
it. He believed:
• Reason could provide evidence for the existence
of God, making faith more intellectually grounded.
• Logic could help clarify and defend religious
doctrines, addressing potential contradictions.
• Reason could be used to interpret scripture and
ensure its message was accurately understood.
 The Benefits of Reason:
• Utilizing logic and reason in matters of faith offered several benefits:
• Deeper Understanding: Reason allowed these thinkers to delve
deeper into the "whys" and "hows" of faith, fostering a more nuanced
and intellectual understanding of religious truths.
• Defense of Faith: Logic provided tools to engage in theological
debates and defend core Christian beliefs against opposing
viewpoints.
• Harmony between Faith and Reason: By employing reason alongside
faith, Aquinas aimed to create a harmonious system of Christian
thought that didn't shy away from intellectual inquiry.
• Further Exploration:
• Consider the potential limitations of relying solely on reason in
matters of faith. Can reason ever fully grasp the mysteries of God?
How can a balance be maintained between faith and reason in
The Duality of Good and Evil: A Christian Perspective

• The nature of good and evil has been a central

theme in philosophy and religion for
centuries. Here's how our Christian thinkers
approached this concept:
• St. Anselm: Focused less explicitly on good
and evil, but his emphasis on God's absolute
goodness implies that evil is a deviation from
God's perfect will.
 St. Augustine
• Presented a stark contrast between good and evil.
Good originates from God, the source of all that is
perfect and loving. Evil, on the other hand, is not a
separate entity but an absence of good, a privation.
• His concept of Original Sin is crucial here.
According to Augustine, Adam and Eve's
disobedience in the Garden of Eden corrupted
human nature. This inherent flaw makes us all
prone to sin and self-centered desires, turning away
from God's goodness.
 Impact of Original Sin
• Augustine believed Original Sin has several
consequences for humanity:
– Weakened will: We struggle to choose good over
evil due to our inherited sinful nature.
– Concupiscence: We have a strong tendency
towards desires that can lead us astray from God.
– Mortality and Suffering: These are seen as
punishments for humanity's fall from grace.
 St. Thomas Aquinas
• Agreed with Augustine that good originates from God, but he saw evil not as a
privation, but as a misuse of free will. Humans were created with the freedom to
choose good or evil. Evil arises when we choose to act in ways that go against
God's will or natural law.
Contrasting Views:
• Augustine emphasizes the inherent weakness of human nature due to Original Sin.
• Aquinas places more emphasis on the power of free will and the responsibility of
individuals for their choices.
The Path to Good:
• Despite these differences, all three thinkers believed that through faith in God and
his grace, humans can overcome evil and live a good life.
Further Exploration:
• Consider how these views on good and evil compare to other philosophical or
religious perspectives.
• Explore the concept of free will and its relationship to the nature of good and evil.
• How can humans, according to these thinkers, cultivate good and resist evil in their
daily lives?
 Unveiling the Divine: Philosophical
Theology Takes Center Stage
• Philosophical theology is a branch of theology
that employs the tools of reason and
philosophy to analyze and understand God,
religious concepts, and scripture. It seeks to
build a coherent and intellectually sound
framework for religious belief.
 Our Christian Thinkers and Philosophical
Theology:
• The three philosophers we've explored all played a significant role in
shaping Christian philosophical theology:
• St. Anselm: While his primary focus wasn't solely philosophical
theology, his ontological argument exemplifies the use of reason to
prove God's existence.
• St. Augustine: He acknowledged the limitations of reason alone but
emphasized its role in clarifying and defending faith. His concept of
illumination by the Divine highlights how reason, aided by God's grace,
can lead to a deeper understanding of religious truths.
• St. Thomas Aquinas: He stands out as a champion of philosophical
theology. His Five Ways demonstrate the power of reason to analyze
the natural world and arrive at the conclusion of God's existence.
Aquinas also employed logic and reason to analyze scripture and build
a systematic theology.
 Combining Faith and Reason
• These thinkers used different approaches, but all
aimed to integrate faith and reason in their
understanding of God:
• Faith as Foundation: Faith provided the starting
point, the core beliefs of Christianity.
• Reason as Tool: Reason served as a tool to analyze,
clarify, defend, and deepen those core beliefs.
• Harmony, Not Conflict: They strived for harmony
between faith and reason, acknowledging that both
are essential for a robust understanding of the divine.
 Benefits of Philosophical Theology:
• Intellectual Grounding: It provided a more
intellectual foundation for faith, addressing doubts
and offering arguments for core Christian beliefs.
• Defense of Faith: The use of reason allowed these
theologians to engage in philosophical debates and
defend Christianity against opposing viewpoints.
• Systematic Theology: By employing reason, they
created a systematic and coherent body of Christian
thought.
 Limitations to Consider
• Mystery and Faith: Some aspects of faith may remain beyond the
grasp of pure reason, requiring an element of mystery and
acceptance.
• Overemphasis on Reason: An overemphasis on reason could
potentially undermine the importance of faith and personal
experience of the divine.

Philosophical Theology's Legacy:

• These thinkers laid the groundwork for centuries of theological
exploration, demonstrating the power of integrating faith and
reason in understanding the divine. Their works continue to
influence Christian thought and inspire ongoing dialogue
between faith and philosophy.
 Conclusion
• We explored their main ideas, focusing on:
• The Existence of God: We examined Anselm's ontological argument and
Aquinas' Five Ways, highlighting different approaches to proving God's existence.
• Faith and Reason: We discussed the relationship between faith and reason, with
Augustine emphasizing faith and Aquinas advocating for their harmony.
• Virtues: We learned about the importance of virtues like prudence, justice,
fortitude, and temperance in living a good and moral life.
• Logic and Reason: We saw how logic and reason were instrumental tools for
these thinkers, particularly Aquinas, in understanding faith and religious
concepts.
• Good and Evil: We explored the nature of good and evil, with Augustine
emphasizing Original Sin and Aquinas focusing on free will.
• Philosophical Theology: We defined philosophical theology and saw how these
thinkers combined faith and reason to create a robust Christian perspective.
 Lasting Influence: Shaping the Landscape
• These Christian thinkers left an enduring mark on philosophy and theology:
• Anselm's ontological argument continues to be debated and inspires
ongoing discussions about the nature of God and existence.
• Augustine's concept of faith and reason remains a core theme in Christian
thought, highlighting the importance of both aspects of understanding the
divine.
• Aquinas' Five Ways offer a prominent argument for God's existence
grounded in observations of the natural world. His emphasis on logic and
reason continues to influence philosophical theology.
• Their focus on virtues provides a valuable framework for living an ethical and
meaningful life.
• Their contributions helped shape Christian theology, laying the foundation
for centuries of philosophical investigation and debate. Their works continue
to be studied and discussed, demonstrating the enduring power of faith and
reason in exploring the mysteries of God and the universe.