Belief vs. Understanding

       In recent discussion and debate, much has been said by many parties, both to myself and to the general Christian populace, in the way of faith being ignorant of Reason. Western society clearly dictates that reason, and therefore science, which is assumed to have been lead entirely by reason, is what gives us truth. If we cannot find a reasonable explanation for something, then it lies unproven and therefore, foolish to place our trust in.

     Augustine had much to say on belief and reason, which can be summed up in his assertion, "Let him who says he has not yet understood hear counsel. For since it was a great and profound matter that had been spoken, the Lord Christ Himself did certainly see that all would not understand this so profound a matter, and He gave counsel in the sequel. Do you wish to understand? Believe. For God has said by the prophet: Unless you believe, you shall not understand. (Isaiah 7:9)"(Tractate 29).

     I had a conversation recently where the friend I was discussing the matter with could find no rational evidence to prove God. Even the evidence I found in my own life, my friend argued, could be said to be the result of a psychological construct which led me to interpret my life in such a way. I agreed that this was possible from a fully rational mindset.

      Many find faith to be irrational and ill-reasoning: but as Augustine proposes, and as I responded to my friend, faith can precede knowledge and reason. If we only believe in what we feel is proved beyond a doubt in our minds, then we are placing our faith in Reason. we are saying that the human capability to reason is the greatest test of truth, and we judge that we can interpret facts/ data correctly in such a way that will lead us to the truth. 

       It seems unreasonable, however, to trust in reason alone. For example, we are often wrong. What do we do then? We can admit that we are wrong, but how do we know we are wrong? What have we to test our reason against but our reason and the reason of others? What it comes down to is that every one places their faith in something. I place my faith in God, and I believe He is redeeming my reason every day to think more like Him, drawing me closer to the truth. And for the Pontius Pilates who would question, "What is truth?" I would respond, "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." If they ask me how I know, I will respond, "by faith, which He has given to me, that I may know, beyond a doubt, that He is Lord."

In John 18:37 Jesus Himself replied, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” He is the truth, and those seeking the truth will listen to Him. Our Reason is obviously not always true, and therefore a degree of faith is always necessary.

     Faith always precedes reason. So, are we placing our faith in God or in the minds of Men?