A dispute · spans 5 eras

Faith and Reason

Can reason prove the truths of revelation, or must they be received on faith?

Tertullian asked: what does Athens have to do with Jerusalem? Augustine answered: faith seeking understanding – believe in order to understand. Aquinas drew a careful line: reason can establish that God exists; it cannot, by itself, reach the Trinity. Ockham widened the gap, restricting reason. Spinoza closed it from the other side: reason can know God directly. Kant gave each its territory: theoretical reason cannot prove God; practical reason needs Him. Kierkegaard burned the bridge: faith is a leap, irreducible to argument.

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// The sides

Reason serves faith

Natural reason can ground what faith rests on, so that faith seeking understanding and philosophy lead to one and the same God.

Faith outruns reason

The most important truths lie beyond what reason can prove, and they can be received only by a leap of faith that no argument can compel – a proof that compelled would make faith itself impossible.

Reason alone

Reason is the only tribunal we have: it can know the order of things by its own powers, and whatever calls itself revelation must either pass its examination or forfeit its claim on belief.