Trinity (3)

God did not have to reveal to us his Trinitarian nature. It’s reasonable to conclude we could be saved without knowing it. However, it is a profound sign of love to want to be known; the revelation of the Trinity is the greatest evidence of God’s love for us apart from Calvary. And since He clearly wants to be known by us, we should respond and make an effort to know Him as he has revealed himself. To understand the doctrine of the Trinity better - to get more light on it as wells as from it - is to know God better.

And while the dogma of the Trinity surpasses human reason, hopefully this series of articles will demonstrate that is does not contradict human reason.

In Christ, Ken.

Trinity (2)

The First Vatican Council taught that while mankind can, by reason alone, come to know God exists, we cannot reason to the conclusion that God is a Trinity of three persons. The doctrine of the Trinity is God’s profoundest secret. If God had not revealed this truth to us, we would still be ignorant of it. Even when He has told us, we may feel that it is altogether beyond us. The tendency is to say “Uhm, OK.” and go on to think about other things. 

But the doctrine of the Trinity gives us significant insights into the innermost life of God and to not think about the Trinity at all seems, well… irresponsible.

In Christ, Ken.

May the Peace of Christ be with You....

When the risen Jesus came to the Apostles in the upper room, note that he did not say, “When I was on the Cross, where were you?” Instead, he said, “Peace be with you.”  This can be considered as a greeting, as referencing a gift of peace, or as a command.  One way to follow that command, make the Sign of the Cross while taking a deep breath.

In Christ, Ken.

For Reflection...

Evangelization: 

Saying the right truths, in the right way, at the right moment.

In Christ, Ken.

Trinity (1)

“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:12-13).

The authority of the Church was necessary for us to know the truth of the Trinity. This most distinctively Christian doctrine of all, the one that reveals the nature of God himself, the nature of ultimate reality, was revealed by God clearly only to the Church. It was not clearly revealed to his chosen people, the Jews. It is not clearly defined in the New Testament. God waited to reveal it to the Church.

Scripture contains the data for the doctrine of the Trinity; but that is not enough, for every heretic, too, throughout history has appealed to Scripture. As a matter of historical fact, it has proved impossible for men to know the nature of the true God without the true Church. The dogmas of the Trinity and the Incarnation (and the two natures of Christ) were in fact derived from the Catholic Church.

In Christ, Ken.

More on Faith and Reason

The Catholic dogma on God as Triune provides insight into the differences and the complementarity of faith and reason.

The First Vatican Council taught that while mankind can, by reason alone, come to know God exists, we cannot reason to the conclusion that God is a Trinity of three persons. The doctrine of the Trinity is God’s profoundest secret. If God had not revealed this truth to us, we would still be ignorant of it.Even when He has told us, we may yet feel that it is altogether beyond us.  Nonetheless, it is reasonable to have faith – that is, believe in – this revelation.

As previously discussed here there are good reasons to believe there is a creator, that this creator reveals himself to mankind, that this creator became incarnate in Jesus the Christ, and that Jesus founded the Catholic Church.  Thus, there are good reasons to place trust in, i.e. have faith in, the teachings of the Catholic Church.  Therefore, it can be said that there are good reasons to have faith that God is a Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit - because He revealed it through His Church.

While the doctrine of the Trinity surpasses human reason, it does not contradict human reason. More on this next time.

In Christ, Ken.

Faith AND Reason

“Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.” Words written by St. John Paul II in the opening lines of Fides et Ratio.

“Faith” means to “trust in” and alone it is insufficient.  Adherents of Islam have faith.  So do Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.  And many today have faith in scientism trusting science as the only source of truth. Thus, it is clear that having faith, while necessary, is not sufficient for finding truth.  One can put their trust in that which is not trustworthy. That said, it may well be that one can, just happen to put their faith in that which is trustworthy.  But when it comes to our ultimate destiny it warrants having an assurance that our “faith” is well placed.

That is why reason is the other wing that St. John Paul II wrote about.  Catholicism, as has been demonstrated previously in this column, is the most reasonable articulation of our ultimate destiny being union with God.  And that ultimate union, begins here with our life on earth.  Reason leads us to conclude that we were created, that our Creator makes himself known to us through his creation and through his Word.  Reason leads us to conclude that our Creator became incarnate in the persons of Jesus the Christ, and that he founded the Catholic Church.  And it is reason that leads us to conclude that it is wisdom to place our trust in (i.e. have faith in) God the Father, in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, and in the Catholic Church.

One might say: The Catholic Church is found on the corner of Faith and Reason.

In Christ, Ken.