Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Knowledge of the Trinity

Regarding the question of whether the Trinity of divine persons can be known by natural reason, in Summa Theologica 1.32.1 Aquinas answers that:

It is impossible to attain to the knowledge of the Trinity by natural reason. For, as above explained (12, 4, 12), man cannot obtain the knowledge of God by natural reason except from creatures. Now creatures lead us to the knowledge of God, as effects do to their cause. Accordingly, by natural reason we can know of God that only which of necessity belongs to Him as the principle of things, and we have cited this fundamental principle in treating of God as above (Question 12, Article 12). Now, the creative power of God is common to the whole Trinity; and hence it belongs to the unity of the essence, and not to the distinction of the persons. Therefore, by natural reason we can know what belongs to the unity of the essence, but not what belongs to the distinction of the persons. Whoever, then, tries to prove the trinity of persons by natural reason, derogates from faith in two ways.

Firstly, as regards the dignity of faith itself, which consists in its being concerned with invisible things, that exceed human reason; wherefore the Apostle says that "faith is of things that appear not" (Hebrews 11:1), and the same Apostle says also, "We speak wisdom among the perfect, but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world; but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery which is hidden" (1 Corinthians 2:6-7).

Secondly, as regards the utility of drawing others to the faith. For when anyone in the endeavor to prove the faith brings forward reasons which are not cogent, he falls under the ridicule of the unbelievers: since they suppose that we stand upon such reasons, and that we believe on such grounds.

Therefore, we must not attempt to prove what is of faith, except by authority alone, to those who receive the authority; while as regards others it suffices to prove that what faith teaches is not impossible. Hence it is said by Dionysius (Div. Nom. ii): "Whoever wholly resists the word, is far off from our philosophy; whereas if he regards the truth of the word"--i.e. "the sacred word, we too follow this rule."

Catholicism Adult Formation Program



CATHOLICISM 



On 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7-8:45pm in the Social Hall of St Ambrose Catholic parish (1975 E 2300 S, Salt Lake City) and continuing through July, we will be watching the Catholicism video series and then will have small group discussions about what we've seen. There have been over 50 folks attending at each session so far; each session is fairly independent and you do not have to attend all sessions.

Fr Robert Barron's Catholicism documentary is a ten episode video series, filmed at 50 locations throughout 15 countries, presenting the history, teaching, and culture of the Catholic Church via high quality cinematography (the series has run on the BBC).

Noted author George Weigel describes the 10 hour series as “A stimulating and compelling exploration of the spiritual, moral, and intellectual riches of the Catholic world. This is the Catholic story told from inside, with knowledge, sympathy, and passion, rooted in friendship with Jesus Christ.”

Episode titles:

March 5th: Amazed and Afraid: The Revelation of God become Man
March 19th: Happy are We: The Teachings of Jesus
April 2nd: The Ineffable Mystery of God: That than which nothing greater can be 
thought
April 16th: Our Tainted Nature's Solitary Boast: Mary, the mother of God

The Indispensable Men: Peter, Paul and the missionary adventure
A Body both Suffering & Glorious: The mystical union of Christ and the Church
Word Made Flesh, True Bread of Heaven: The Church's sacrament and worship
A Vast Company of Witnesses: The communion of saints
The Fire of His Love: Prayer and the life of the Spirit
World without End: The last things





Come and See