Unit 3 Flashcards
what are some common misunderstandings of faith?
- To believe in god is to create god
- To believe in god is to give meaning to life
- To believe is to commit
- Believing is not more than trusting in god
- Faith is not more than a system of beliefs
What is faith?
a personal act: free response to initiative of god
not just insolated act
-> believe with others
Three meanings of faith
Knowledge
Trust
Gift
Faith as knowledge
Faith is primarily knowledge received from others
-> information given by trustworthy people and evidence
proof makes faith (in religion or science) rational
What is christianity?
a historical fact
witnessed by people worthy of faith
3 ways to gain knowledge?
experience
reasoning
trustworthy witness
3 principles of rationality
identity
no contradiction
sufficient reason
Faith as trust
Trust in something that is certain (faith in the doctor for example)
maritorious act
-> an act done freely
=> faith doesnt increase knowledge but gives reason to act on free will (which requires you to TRUST previous knowledge)
Faith as gift
virtue
like a seed that grows with proper care
we all have it
Why is faith a human act?
it requires reason
-> needs be be rational and have proof
Religion
lat. religatio: to tie
to unite god and man
What is the goal in natural religions?
Man wants to make use of god to acheive his ideal of happiness
Religion vs faith
Religion: based on fear
faith: based on love
(christianity as faith since it starts from initiative of god
-> man serves god)
