2. The Role of Philosophy in Theology

Question 1

Explain Nichols statement. “The kinds of philosophy that do have a point of contact with theology are all in a broad sense metaphysical.” (41)

Answer 1

Philosophy is regarded in a wide realm of reality in our life, because everything applies.

• Self
• World
• God

Question 2

Philosophy has sometimes been viewed from within the Christian tradition with “radical suspicion.”

1. What is the mainstream Catholic position on philosophy with respect to theology?
2. What is the basis for this position?

Answer 2

1. Philosophy and Theology go hand in hand. Theology does not want to stray away from philosophy. (Faith & Reason)
2. Grace builds on nature:: Philosophy builds on Theology

Question 3

1. What has made Tomistic philosophy “particularly attractive to Catholic theologians”?
2. What can’t Thomism be the only philosophy used for theology?

Answer 3

1. Begins with sense experience “realism”
2. Mind is immaterial
3. World is dependant on God
4. “Matter & Form” analysis is a bridge of God and reality (Sacramental religion)
5. Theory of Analogy- we can speak of and know God

• No theologian can tell someone how to think philosophically.
• A certain philosophy can get trapped inside itself (generate their own philosophies).
• The ordering between P & T is distint and with different departures comes different ways of arguing.
• Revelation directs philosophers interests.

Question 4

What is signaled as the major achievement of the Fathers in working out the relationship between faith and reason? (FR)

Answer 4

• The Fathers viewed the problem comprehensively with both its positive aspects and its limitations.
• They were oriented to an openness to truth (purification of thoughts & beliefs)

Question 5

What is Thomas Aquinas’ contribution to an understanding of Faith and Reason’s relationship? (FR)

Answer 5

• Both Faith and Revelation come from God, they cannot contradict each other. (FUNDAMENTAL HARMONY)
• Faith build upon and perfects nature.

Question 6

What are some of the consequences that appear as a result of the separation of faith and reason? (FR)

Answer 6

1. Idealism
   
   1. Myths and superstition
   2. Truth cannot be attained
   3. Nihilism- nothing has value
2. Atheistic humanism
   
   1. “Faith damages Reason”
3. Positivism
   
   1. if we “can” we “ought”

Question 7

What are the Magisterium’s task with respect to philosophy? (FR)

Answer 7

• Respond and clarify philosophical opinion contrary to the faith
  
  • look at the positive to discern truth
  • found out what’s wrong with it.

Question 8

• Why is philosophy considered to be of such paramount importance for candidates to the priesthood?
• What are some of the factors that make the restoration of this importance necessary?

(FR)

Answer 8

• Philosophy is the intimate bond with theology in the search for the truth.
• Modern Philosophy (The crisis of truth as a consequence of the loss of confidence in reason)
• The Church won’t progress if it doesn’t help address new questions of such thought.

Question 9

• What is philosophy’s contribution to theology in light of the auditus fidei?
• in light of intellectus fidei? (FR)

Answer 9

1. auditus fidei
   
   1. the content of revelation, expounded by Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium.
   2. Focuses on a deep understanding (more than just conceptual dimension)
2. intellectus fidei
   
   1. emphasizes the explication of the Christian Message
   2. Speculative inquiry
   3. Responding to the specific demands of disciplined thought

Question 10

What is the relationship between Christian faith and culture? (FR)

Answer 10

Culture is not a substitute for philosophy.

Culture has contributions to Auditus Fidei & Intellectus Fidei but doesn’t own Universal Truth.

Culture offers different paths to truths.

Question 11

Contrast “separate philosophy: with Christian philosophy. (FR)

Answer 11

• Separate Philosophy
  
  • self-suffiecent
  • Refuses truth (Divine Revelation)
• Christian Philosophy
  
  • used with faith
  • can’t be done without it.

Question 12

• From a philosophical perspective, what are some of the bases on which God’s existence can be discovered?
• What contribution does John Henry Newman make in this area?

Answer 12

1. Wonder of the world
2. Experience of moral obligation
3. Experience of our own dissatisfaction
4. Experience of Hope
5. Mystical Experience
6. The very knowability of the world

• We can defend a belief in God by putting together experiences and thoughts.

Question 13

• Explain that “the particular arguments we choose to follow will play a part in determining those ideas of God that we can think up for ourselves”
• How is this elaborated in terms of a “root metaphysical concept”?

Answer 13

• The questions we ask of God direct our search.
• A judgment is made about how to order the picture of God which the arguments for God’s existence suggest (coexists in a dialectical fashion with Bible and Tradition).

Question 14

How does Nichols frame the fundamental problem of theodicy (“the problem of evil”) with respect to God?

Answer 14

• Fundamental Theology-
  
  • He make God compatible with the idea of evil’s existence.
• Systematic Theology-
  
  • Evil is a major defect give us preunderstanding of the idea of salvation.

Question 15

Characterize an Augustinian approach to theodicy.

Answer 15

1. Evil is a privation (hole in a garment; or blindness)
2. Evil has its origin in history (free will), not ontology (moral evil)
3. The imperfections in the world flow from the finite nature of things (“principle of plenitude”)
4. All realities and events are viewed within a universal harmony, discernable only by God. (“aeshetic”)

Question 16

Characterize an Irenaean approach to theodicy.

Answer 16

Natural evil is an aspect of a divinely appointed milieu.

Soldiers in training, that many don’t make it.(Not good)

Question 17

What are some limitations of both Augustinian and Irenaean approaches to theodicy?

Answer 17

• Irenaean-
  
  • Evil story from Creator
  • We can’t visualize the final justice of creation
• Augustinian-
  
  • Freedom is abused
  • Can’t explain why innocent spirits fall victim to temptation.

Question 18

What are some limitations of theodicy itself, viewed in a Christian perspective?

Answer 18

• It lacks a rational mind.
• There is no rational explination of evil.

Question 19

Looking at the possibilities of supernatural revelation from the side of God, what would God need to be like?

Answer 19

1. Transcendent
   
   • Revelation is a dialogue
2. Personal
   
   • Could keep silent
3. Free
   
   • He has to choose to reveal himself

Question 20

Looking at the possibilities from the side of humanity, what would human beings have to be like?

Answer 20

They have to be open to transcendence.

• Duty to follow the truth whereever it leads. Determinedness.
• Taking responsibility for one’s own life.

We all have the drive for meaning that has value that cannot be fulfilled mandainly.

Question 21

In histrical knowing, how are event and interpretation related?

Answer 21

More that 1 theory fits the facts.

• Event- occurred in history
• Interpretation- the aim of the event (Gospel writers)

Theology is related to history which happens in time and in order.

Question 22

What are some of the ways the unique status and authority of Jesus can be brought out?

Answer 22

• His moral perfection (“Moral Glory”)
• His aesthetic authority (shone forth the glory of God)

Question 23

How is a philosophical principle of order to be distinguished from a theological principle of order?

Answer 23

• Philosophical Principle
  
  • Follows the natural order.
• Theological Principle
  
  • Revealed by Faith.

We have to start somewhere.