The Darkness of Faith and the Mind's Encounter with God (Aquinas 101)

⭐ The new Aquinas 101 Learning Platform is LIVE! Unlock all the Aquinas 101 courses in one place and track your progression at your own pace through the wisdom of the Angelic Doctor for FREE at go.thomisticin....
If faith is a light, why does it leave our minds in obscurity - or even in darkness?
Want to learn more? This video lesson is part of the course Introduction to St. Thomas Aquinas on our FREE online learning platform. Enroll now to easily track your progress, access related lectures from our podcast, read curated selections from the Summa theologiae, and earn a certificate! go.thomisticin....
The Darkness of Faith and the Mind's Encounter with God (Aquinas 101) - Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P.
❓ Questions you want answered? Make sure to put #AskAFriar in your comment!
- WHAT'S NEW -
⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and over 6,000 enrollees inside our FREE Aquinas 101 online learning platform at: go.thomisticin....
- WHAT'S NEXT -
• Subscribe to this channel: go.thomisticin...
• Subscribe to our podcast: go.thomisticin...
• Enroll in an Aquinas 101 course: go.thomisticin...
• Attend an on-campus event: go.thomisticin...
• See if your university has a TI Chapter: go.thomisticin...
• Study abroad in ROME: go.thomisticin...
- SOCIAL MEDIA -
• Instagram: / thomisticinstitute
• Facebook: / thomisticinstitute
• Twitter: / thomisticinst
• LinkedIn: / thomistic-institute
- SUPPORT -
• Keep the Aquinas 101 cameras rolling: go.thomisticin...
• The Thomistic Institute Store: go.thomisticin...
- THE THOMISTIC INSTITUTE -
• Aquinas 101: go.thomisticin...
• The Thomistic Institute: go.thomisticin...
• Dominican Friars: go.thomisticin...
- AQUINAS 101 -
Aquinas 101 is a project of the Thomistic Institute that seeks to promote Catholic truth through short, engaging video lessons. You can browse earlier videos at your own pace or enroll in one of our FREE Aquinas 101 courses on St. Thomas Aquinas and his masterwork, the Summa theologiae. In these courses, you'll learn from expert scientists, philosophers, and theologians-including Dominican friars from the Province of St. Joseph. Enroll today at go.thomisticin.... And don’t forget to like and share with your friends, because it matters what you think!
#ThomisticInstitute #ThomasAquinas #Catholic #Thomism
This video was made possible through the support of grant #61944 from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.
Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

[@gwenechotaylor96]

I believe in God, as the blind man believes in the sun, not because he does not see it, but he feels the warmth of His presence.

[@drmobius7348]

That is a beautiful way to put it. I like it

[@pinehas6489]

No Patrick, thats empiricism

[@gwenechotaylor96]

@Summer Daze you are most likely correct although there are many iterations of it. I would hope that you would be moved by the Spirit of the words rather than more picayune considerations. Blessings to you.

[@allanlindsay8369]

GwenEcho Taylor hello and greetings to you. just as a point of information you understand that quote is a devolution if not corruption of a great quote by CS Lewis, which in its fullness is far superior, this is what he actually wrote, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else" AVE MARIA!

[@gwenechotaylor96]

@@allanlindsay8369 Thank you! I am aware as it was "Mere Christianity" that turned me from atheism to Christ. I love both quotes - the original and the iteration as it is more user friendly to people (lol) Blessings!

[@jonathanw5518]

Thank you Father! The Thomistic Institute is a wonderful blessing in my life. May the peace of the Lord be always with you.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

You're welcome, Jonathan! Thanks for watching.

[@DavidMatias79]

Act of Faith O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.

[@tgrt1348]

I cant stress enough how important these videos have been in my faith life. Thank you Thomistic Institute

[@ThomisticInstitute]

You're welcome! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. God bless you!

[@johnrowland3631]

@@ThomisticInstitute yes

[@criticalbruv]

A friend once asked me from one to ten how confident I was that God existed. I said ten! But only because it was clear to me that the measure of ten was not "absolute certainty" (which would be to say I was God), but ten was rather the best a human could possibly be justified in believing anything. Seeing as it was so apparent to me that in all my faculties as a human there just is no justifiable conclusion against God's presence, I was really as certain as I could be about anything, (even my own faculties), and so my answer was ten, if ten is as confident as a human can really be about anything.

[@boku5192]

Well said

[@johnirby4791]

Crank it up.to 11

[@Wenuraa]

Animations are insane..😍 God Bless Father.❤️

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thanks! God bless you.

[@DsaAsd-v9u]

God bless you

[@roisinpatriciagaffney4087]

Beautiful teaching about the illumination of the intellect, and inspiration of the will by the Triune God. Thank you, Father Legge. Pax Christi.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thanks! God bless you.

[@jmarshell1]

@@ThomisticInstitute Pardon me for piggy-backing here, but much of this fine presentation sounds very Augustinian to me--particularly the aspect of Divine Illumination. Could you clarify the distinction made between Augustine and Aquinas?

[@winstonbarquez9538]

We walk by faith, not by sight (II Cor. 5:7).

[@hillrunner2]

Inlighten to think in a rational manner and feel the truth with compassion and humility towards others.

[@amaraheising4672]

I so appreciate your gift of teaching/preaching Father Legge. Illuminating, guiding, educating is so different from blaming, shaming and moralizing in texture and tone. I am so grateful for the Aquinas Series and the Dominicans who bring this to us. My prayers of gratitude for your ministry are winging their way out of my heart.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

We're happy you found the video so helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@Lerian_V]

I have cherished most of your videos but this takes the cake. By far the most useful teaching in my life. It has answered a lot of questions buried in my mind. Thank you Jesus. Thank you the Angelic Doctor (please pray for me). Thank you Thomistic Institute.

[@tomward5293]

This is astounding. Thank you.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thanks so much for your kind words, and for taking the time to watch and comment. May the Lord bless you!

[@NYCZ31]

This is a video worth coming back to every once in awhile

[@irene_irenaeus_ihs]

Little reflection I made after watching the video: Guess we will be restless until meeting God (God willing). Gives some comfort to the intellect, as we understand we cannot get everything in this life. Truly, Christ is the way that has to be walked!

[@aiantenor9080]

Thank you Fr Legge for this

[@tropifiori]

That was difficult- Thanks Father

[@ThomisticInstitute]

You're welcome! God bless.

[@richardt.buryan832]

RIGHT ON!

[@IMMANUELFRANCY]

Thanks you Father ❤️

[@ThomisticInstitute]

You're welcome! God bless you.

[@ronniedoyle3232]

That was very refreshing, especially the last sentence, where you pointed out the congruity between faith and hope.

[@cj2326]

Needed this today. God bless. 🕊

[@brentgarner3143]

Wow way over my head but ,I like to listen and watch these videos thank you.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thanks for watching! Stick with it!

[@jjcm3135]

Very sharp stuff. Thanks.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Our pleasure! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, and may the Lord bless you!

[@ryanleclaire3948]

Simple and beautiful. Thank you Father.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

You're most welcome! Thank you for watching. God bless you!

[@ImagezAndWords]

Thankyou Father. I would love to hear more on this subject

[@affel6559]

So good!

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thanks for watching! God bless you.

[@b.felicisimo5937]

It's quite simple...I see a Dominican in the thumbnail, I click on the video. Thank you Thomistic Institute.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thanks for watching!

[@prylonestrocio]

This is so useful

[@johanfrancis9010]

"Turned back by God's initiative, towards the divine light who is God Himself and the mind is flooded with light." I have not been able to put into words what I experienced at the age of 17. This puts it perfect. All I know is that I felt God so close and from that point forward my whole life was facing a different direction. Something deep within me reoriented towards seeking God, and it was because He sought me first. How amazing is the love of God that He is the one that initiates, and draws us. Even the love I feel for Him is His love poured out into me. This channel is amazing. Thank you.

[@joolz5747]

Yes and contact with God is from the heart… So faith has to go from the intellect into the heart…yes? We know God as our heart connects with His heart. Love is the igniter I believe. 🙏

[@flymecourageous6313]

I love these videos so much!

[@chiagozieanyaora6926]

I just love♥️♥️♥️ these videos. The drawings are perfect. Good job friends and may GOD bless you all through Christ our LORD. Amen

[@biennguyenngoc1958]

thanks Fr

[@Mr159753159]

god rocks

[@patriciawhittier7255]

Thank you Fr. Legge, Profound teaching from the most well-known OP. I will take these thoughts to the Dominican Rite Mass this afternoon, and later the Litany to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, God Bless you.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thank you for the prayers!

[@patriciawhittier7255]

@@ThomisticInstitute You are very welcome, Please know that my prayers for you and your mission are daily.

[@millergre]

Great job Father

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thank you! God bless you.

[@byron8657]

God is Love God is light, Evil is defined as the absence of Good, just like Darkness is defined as the absence of Light! K

[@arkofthecovenant6235]

There are some populations that did not inherit the Western construct of reason. Should they be excluded in knowing the Judeo-christain God and Christ? No. Faith is universal to all populations and thus an avenue for the proclamation of the kingdom of God. To them the light of faith is sufficient. May God protect and grant the intentions of all missionary priest.Thank u St Thomas institute 📺👍🏼

[@diegoandres2906]

THIS IS FUNDAMENTAL!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! IT HELPED ME A LOT. WISH YOU COULD HAVE SPANISH SUBTITLES TO SHARE THESE VIDEOS IN MY COUNTRY. IT WOULD BE OF A TREMENDOUS HELP AS WELL AS A GIFT! MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU!

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Thank you for the comment! That's a project that we are working on. God bless you!

[@thistledownz.2982]

I know about faith and darkness. I receive glimpses of the light.

[@freshliving4199]

So you have faith in the world which is of darkness. And God drops you a bread crumb every now and again. Would you not rather have faith in God?…and eat the entire bread loaf?

[@honeykai8274]

Am I suppose to be a Dominican if I like watching these videos? I also feel the carmelite spiritually. So hard to discern

[@marcokite]

we can feel both not to mention the other dozens of Orders, doesn't have to be just one I guess - as long as we're not Jesuits!

[@excelsior999]

@@marcokite Yep. Nobody trusts a Jesuit, except maybe a Leftist.

[@SwordsmanRyan]

Trust in God as you discern and I’ll pray for your clarity.

[@yellaperida7696]

We have the same trouble. I'm discerning which Third Order I should enter.

[@laconstanza6640]

@@marcokite may I ask what's wrong with Jesuits? Genuine question btw.

[@wilhufftarkin8543]

Great channel! Subscribed!

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Cheers! Thanks for subscribing.

[@rolandblas7381]

FAITH and GRACE from GOD himself, Indeed is our way that leads us to our LOVE of GOD and to LIFE ETERNAL. Only if we believe in GOD and invite him into the depth of our SOUL, he will bring us unto his ETERNAL LIGHT. FAITH is a GIFT from GOD, let us allow the GIFT to be wrapped unto our SOUL and surely then, WE will see his LIGHT, and he will guide us each step we take on earth until we reach ETERNAL LIFE. We are saved by GOD'S GRACE, and we are only SAVED, if we accept his GRACE which is a GIFT by GOD alone. God Bless!

[@saams5214]

Thank you for such great content... it got me thinking on a few things that were not so clear to me. I see faith as the soother opposite of restlessness. No need of external input to have faith on something. The faith can be achieved through reasoning, or experience, but it is beyond that. When even people who met Jesus didn't necessarily believe on him, followed by the statement that Faith is based on what comes via external sources... a bit confusing, because Divine revelations are oftentimes visions and dreams, that are seemingly connected to events in one's life, like with Hildergard von Bingen, for instance. Let's say that questioning beliefs is, to me, the same as reasoning, and a natural process where we most commonly seek external guidance, proofs of occurrences and so on, but believing is a choice made that differs hugely from having faith (to me, an intrinsic knowledge acquired through one's own experience - that can or cannot include whatever external input, but most often it doesn't). This is to me the abyss we must overcome between the Believer's faith and the pure Faith. In the "sinner" part on the video, the macula of sin doesn't let one's receive the "light of reasoning", setting the man apart from God as he steps into darkness. When the conversion happens, he sees the "light of faith", but... light of faith =/= light of reason. And being a sinner is then the first step to grasp any sort of light; as well as Forgiveness should be the its first beacon... But, wouldn't the "darkness of faith" be the excess of trying to know things by too much reasoning when we should allow ourselves to feel them by heart? The Dark Night of the Soul, to me, being this "descent into the abyss of our existence" moment, is when we learn to stop reasoning, and surrender to a process that is seemingly guided by a much bigger and powerful intelligence. Here, in order to "climb up the spiritual ladder" we have to expurgate the lower states of consciousness first, and when we reach the bottom, we go up. Or, simply, stop trying to understand and having faith/knowing that it is what it is. The journey to enlightenment is a dark road, but it is very heartwarming to find people like you with whom we can share and learn from. 🙂🙏🏼

[@genevieveaugustin3116]

This is a really great, knowlegeable video👍. I was wondering if this entire idea of faith could be brought to so-called better "understanding" if we talked about it including the matters of the heart and soul. Sometimes, these (heart and soul) can't be explained by the mind as well but we accept it in our relationships..platonic, romantic,etc relationships. It somehow feels that God could reach the very depth of our souls and reach a great union with us if we laid our souls and hearts vulnerable before Him, to be so consumed by His love😊. The darkness of faith could be compared to the times when we don't experience extreme highs and lows, in terms of emotions in our relationship, but experience a certain stillness which could sometimes mean its time to just sit calmly with the Lord and be a companion. It could be the idea of peace. Padre Pio once said something along the lines before that, when one experiences spiritual aridity, it is a way that Jesus wants us to put our entire trust in Him and to lean on His love that will never fail. It eliminates self in a certain way...but I really like this idea of explaining the faith as well. St Thomas did indeed help countless of thinker converts and sceptics to know God and eventually give their entire lives to Him🙂

[@reniaesaddler8632]

When I first read the Psalms, I knew Jesus was real. The more I read, the more I just Knew it was all true. I don’t know how I knew but from that moment forward, I never could have a doubt, even when I failed to understand what I knew was true. But it set me to seek more and more knowledge and understanding. The world makes so much more sense to me now. It had to have been a miracle, that God must have revealed this to me because I never could ever believe in God, since I was like 7 years old. Then one day, later on in life, I just knew. My heart knew. That’s the part of me that kept reminding my mind, and encouraging me to not give up trying to understand. My heart would say, “You will eventually understand. Believe you will.” I feel tortured sometimes now, but it has gotten easier after several years of studying and observing. It was so hard at first. It felt like all my bones being broken and reset, and like slowly waking up from insanity. When I realized I had to join a church, I knew Catholic was right. How did I know? In the beginning of joining, I felt like everyone was judging me, like I didn’t belong and everyone thought they were better. It was really hard to stay, to keep going, at first, but my heart would always say, “just keep going and eventually you will understand.” With the Mary, mother of God, stuff, it was the same. Now the Mary stuff all makes sense too. Who can understand it? I have since stopped asking “Why me” and started asking, “What do I do?”

[@DanielFernandez-jv7jx]

Thank you father for this lovely elucidation! I will have to listen to it a couple of more time to fully get the details into my memory. In the interim, here is another doubt that I would very much like to hear you address, a doubt about the relative nature of faith: Muslims too have faith, as to Hindus, Buddhists etc. If faith is being understood here as a spiritual principle in itself, then everything you have said here could also be said of the faith of other religions. No? If not, why not? I have an answer to this in my heart, something that can't really be put into words. It's what I feel kneeling in front of the image of our crucified Lord. I'm hoping you can give me words.

[@robertdobbs2283]

Just passing along a thought to feed your pondering. As you use the word faith be aware that in one context "faith" is a system of beliefs and in another context it is trust; as in having trust in God. Another thought that has my attention, but not fully clear to me. Christ is not constrained to only work his transformation on Christians. The Apostles asked Christ by what means can we know if we are truly embracing Christ. He answered, you will know they are Christians by their love. Meaning, that those who have a capacity to love as Christ commands are in union with the true God. This fact holds true regardless of whatever defective understanding they have of theology. In history, ancient history (before Christ was born) there are many people who died for others. Christ said "no greater love ..." These people who loved so deeply and unselfishly are united with the true God. A God that no one can claim to know fully and accurately.

[@DanielFernandez-jv7jx]

@@robertdobbs2283 Thank you for your response Robert. I was thinking something along these lines. What else could a loving God do except as you say? I wonder if St. Thomas would have agreed with this however. Many conservative trads in the Roman Church tend to quote St. Thomas in his more legalistic thinking, with ideas such as Limbo for unbaptized children, or eternal damnation for a lifelong saintly person who commits one mortal sin that is unconfessed by death. This tendency towards legalism is one valid criticism that some Eastern Orthodox theologians bring against RC theology. It tends to be a general fault, IMHO in medieval scholasticism, if not in much of later RC theology as well. Perhaps I"m wrong, but I think that the problem with such thinking is the tendency to have too much faith in pure reason when based on scripture and apostolic tradition. Although all we need for our salvation is revealed in scripture and apostolic tradition, not all the realities of the Unseen are so revealed. With so much potentially axiomatic information missing, it is easy to overreach with logic. Very best wishes to you, and all here. Daniel

[@excelsior999]

For the nonbeliever, no proof is sufficient. For the believer, no proof is necessary.

[@richardashton9490]

Everything he says is good, but I wish he would slow down, and pause from time to time.

[@IMMANUELFRANCY]

❤️🔥⚡

[@IPlayWithFire135]

If you do not look at this and think, "what if it's all false, and a waste of time?" that is due to your will. You did that.

[@thedudeabides3930]

What's your point? That people who believe this sort of teaching uncritically are exercising their will to be foolish, or that people who accept this as sound teaching are engaged in a proper exercise of their will?

[@IPlayWithFire135]

@@thedudeabides3930 My point is that no grace or anything explains the religious mind - it is all too human. It reminds me of what happens in the protestant world I have personal experience with. Specifically the religious people who "pray" on a decision, when in the end the choice is all theirs to make, yet they feel some legitimacy or abdication of direct responsibility is achieved by separating themselves from their own values and actions with the invocation of God (in this case). Human beings are capable of saying and believing some audacious stuff and then claiming their own selfishness, ambition, greed, weakness, and curiosity had nothing to do with it. In short, their will to believe. Mostly foolishly. No religious apologist can answer the simple question why. Why this, why this way, and why not something else?

[@coleman318]

Hoora

[@bigfoot3763]

What book(s) are the best to learn more about Aquinas. I know a decent amount about his jargon already, but want to learn more about his beliefs and doctrine. How basic is Edward Feser’s book Aquinas?

[@robertdobie3400]

Ed Feser's book on Aquinas is excellent: it is written clearly with a typical American undergraduate in mind while at the same time not sacrificing rigor and depth. As a professor, I always assign it for my course on Aquinas.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Feser's book is on our Recommended Reading list! thomisticinstitute.org/recommended-reading

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

Interesting. I haven't been baptised yet but when I first believed Christ was real and not merely the most profound symbolic story, He sanctified a disorder I had expected to be a lifelong burden and I saw the truth of order and disorder far more clearly. This was also yet another credibility aid, or whatever you called that. But I have been wondering if that moment was receipt of the Spirit like an early Baptism of kinds. I have been wondering whether my actual baptism will be marked by any similar change. Now I see your video, I think perhaps what I have already been gifted is the light of faith rather than reception of the Holy Spirit. So I'd appreciate any help in discerning this.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Be baptized! Take a look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1213 and following: www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3G.HTM

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

@@ThomisticInstitute Thank you. I'm very much looking forward to it. God bless.

[@thedudeabides3930]

You are asking about the difference between "actual grace" vs. "sanctifying grace." Your early experience is actual grace, the Sacraments contain sanctifying grace. Your early experience of actual grace is drawing you to the Sacraments. You may or may not experience anything sensory with the Sacraments.

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

@@thedudeabides3930 Thank you very much for this explanation. Is there anywhere I might read more about this in the Church Fathers do you know? Not to worry if not - you have given me clarity already. May God bless you.

[@wms72]

If a Dominican/OP priest reads this: Please tell me if St. Thomas Aquinas really thought circumcision served the Israelites the same as Baptism. If he did think that, was it only until the Sacrament of Baptism was instituted?

[@ThomisticInstitute]

St. Thomas Aquinas taught that circumcision served the Israelites in a way similar to baptism, as he reckoned circumcision to be one of the sacraments of the Old Law. The Old Law has been fulfilled, and circumcision is not a sacrament of the New Law, whose first sacrament is baptism. For the most succinct treatment of St. Thomas on circumcision, written after his theological development on the topic, see Summa Theologiae III, q. 70, with its four articles. That question appears among his questions on baptism; knowing circumcision is very helpful for knowing baptism within God's plan of salvation. Here's a selection from q. 70, a. 4: "We must say, therefore, that grace was bestowed in circumcision as to all the effects of grace, but not as in Baptism. Because in Baptism grace is bestowed by the very power of Baptism itself, which power Baptism has as the instrument of Christ's Passion already consummated. Whereas circumcision bestowed grace, inasmuch as it was a sign of faith in Christ's future Passion: so that the man who was circumcised, professed to embrace that faith; whether, being an adult, he made profession for himself, or, being a child, someone else made profession for him. Hence, too, the Apostle says (Rm. 4:11), that Abraham "received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the justice of the faith": because, to wit, justice was of faith signified: not of circumcision signifying. And since Baptism operates instrumentally by the power of Christ's Passion, whereas circumcision does not, therefore Baptism imprints a character that incorporates man in Christ, and bestows grace more copiously than does circumcision; since greater is the effect of a thing already present, than of the hope thereof."

[@Fausaidoug]

Therefore, if you find that you believe the doctrines of faith is this a sign of infused faith and thus of salvation?

[@johnirby4791]

The answer lies in perception and understanding...birds eye view within a boxed world...or.....coming from a cave of shadows to see light for 1st time....you only understand what you are capable of understanding

[@johnstfleur3987]

"ONE."

[@eskorekpe1513]

Where can one learn more about the first principles of natural reason, such as the principle of non-contradiction? Is there an exhaustive listing of such principles anywhere? I'd like to learn more about them.

[@ThomisticInstitute]

Here's a start: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j33PaIeIe8SfaNk

[@eskorekpe1513]

@@ThomisticInstitute Thank you for this. I guess there are more to the First Principles than the principle of non-contradiction. Hoping for more.

[@fr.chrispietraszko1234]

Is the supernatural end to know the quiddity of God given to us in Baptism? I haven't been able to find something that states or narrows down when that end exists in man.

[@alphazero5614]

Whether this end is given in Baptism, the opinions of Thomists have varied. The Salmaticenses held that "the supernatural end of knowing God in his essence is not infused habitually in baptism, but is acquired through merits" (Cursus Theologicus, Tract. De Gratia, disp. 5, punct. 3, n. 5). Poinsot, however, argued that "the ultimate end of knowing God is infused in baptism, but not in a way that we can attain it without further graces" (Poinsot, Cursus Philosophicus et Theologicus, T. 1, Tr. 2, Sect. 1, Cap. 3). Garrigou-Lagrange reconciled these views, "Baptism confers the habit of sanctifying grace and infuses the virtues, but it does not of itself give the ability to attain the ultimate end. That comes through further graces of illumination and perseverance" (Garrigou-Lagrange, Life Everlasting). Basically, while Baptism confers the supernatural end of the vision of God, it does not of itself give us the ability to attain that end without further graces from God. As Francisco de Araújo concluded, "the ultimate end is given in baptism, but not in a way that can be possessed without further graces" (Araújo, Theologia Fundamentalis, P. III, Tr. I, Cap. III, n. 5). (took forever to find my citations)

[@patriciararick3245]

In Theology for Beginners it says God is a spiritual being. How can a spiritual being create and control if it is not made of matter? Is there any way you could help me with this question?

[@alphazero5614]

God, who is pure act, is able to produce effects in things other than Himself through His power alone, without need of matter.

[@johnstfleur3987]

"V-BUDDHA SAVES IKE THROUGH RESURRECTING HIM." (GOD JAH IS ONE)(MATH)(AYANA)(4-D)

[@johnstfleur3987]

"PRIVATE." (ONE)

[@abdallahhammoud9785]

I don't really understand, so faith elivates the mind but how does that work? How do I gain faith? Like when it comes to the principles of non contradiction or even reason itself, they are self evident and I have to accept them or else I can't reason and its impossible for me to not reason, but I don't see how faith operates in the same way. Do I need God for my reason to operate? I don't see how faith can be equal to reason in this way.

[@leonardovieira4445]

How we adhere to the truths revealed by faith is similar to understanding the first principles. Similar, not equal. This is because, as to the first principles, although indemonstrable, they are captured by the forces of the intellect itself, operating according to the nature that God bestowed upon it. These are natural truths. As for the revealed truths (some, not all) they are also unprovable. Furthermore, they cannot be captured by the natural operation of the intellect, because they are supernatural. Only by an equally supernatural ability operating in us can we know them. And that ability is Faith. As it is a supernatural gift, we cannot obtain faith in our own strength. It comes to us by the Grace of God, who gives it to those he has chosen to believe in Him with faith.

[@JohnR.T.B.]

It's just a curiosity that, in biological evolution we can find that organisms that are more efficient, more resourceful in passing on the genes will survive better and in the end push the less efficient out to extinction. You can see that mostly it's due to limited resources, dangers, and imperfection in organic structures that over many generations drove organisms to survive, reproduce, and hence evolve in the best ways possible. For example in nature we tend to find that those who are short-lived breed more quickly and with more offspring, while those who can live much longer breed more slowly and with fewer offspring, that is over many generations over millions of years life reaches this equilibrium state of survival of the fittest, so to speak. However, if we believe that life began from very simple "living" molecules brewing in a hot soup of water mixtures some billions of years back, and from then on the combination of mutations and evolutionary forces for the sake of the continuation of life, driven by each "individual" life form, created all the complexities, all that we have, in our lives today, including everything that we have in our brains and in those of the other animals, also in those of plants and other life forms in the most efficient ways possible, considering the hostility of the universe and the environment in general; we can say that what is essentially mindless and aimless molecules of RNA, DNA, and cells did give birth to values of continuous survival, living well, beauty, attraction to beauty of another, etc., things which some may dismiss as just mere "side effects" of evolutionary complexity and diversity; nonetheless a cruel and cold universe does allow quite a space for enjoyment, beauty, contemplation, happiness in its very nature; to the extent that wild animals themselves have times to rest after some works, or young cubs playing with each other even though they have no food storage. It's not so hostile and cruel in the overall intelligibility of the universe, especially the planet Earth, we live in, considering how violent space is with all the radiations, blazing stars, cosmic rays, fast-moving asteroids, or the hot planetary core within the earth. The universal "language" of goodness does exist in life, in the universe, that good is preferred over destruction, that things by nature attempt to settle and to rest in order to have a stable system; that I can share happiness with my dog or with a rabbit who is happy eating his celery with myself eating my own food. It's beautiful also that this brain which was millions of years ago was just a bunch of nerve cells evolved to assist survival can somehow accommodate what is essentially self-awareness of the individual person, totally unique to the individual, the brain that can have faith in the even greater good and allows the person to properly give worship and praise to the gift of love and life by God.

[@johnirby4791]

Left hemisphere, right hemisphere...

[@johnirby4791]

Look at Michelangelo God touching adam..it's a brain..split hemispheres....left brain vs right brain.. we have both animal and analytical

[@Angel268201]

I tried to be educated. It didn’t work for me. I believe in GOD, in Jesus, the Holy Ghost and Mother Mary. I cannot truly or adequately explain why, but I put all my faith and love into it. In the end, if GOD doesn’t exist, I suppose I’ll just be an obliterated piece of matter, and it won’t matter anyway.

[@byron8657]

Gods first Word in the Book of Genesis before He has done the whole creation is Let there be light! Boom! In science it is the Big Bang theory! K

[@einarabelc5]

What's the symbol being used here? I've seen it in Wicka culture, i.e. Led Zeppelin, why?

[@ThomisticInstitute]

It's called a triquetra. For a long time, Christians have used it to represent the Most Holy Trinity.

[@frederickanderson1860]

King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes chapter 7 v16. Be not over rightous in much or overwise. Why destroy yourself. Jesus said " l thank you oh father that you not reveal these things to the wise and prudent,but to babes who learn

[@thedudeabides3930]

"My people perish for a lack of knowledge." "Be wise as serpents..."

[@frederickanderson1860]

@@thedudeabides3930 they perish by apologists and biblical scholar's. Jesus spoke with authority. Not like the scribes of his day. He thank his father he did not reveal who he was to the wise and prudent.

[@thedudeabides3930]

@@frederickanderson1860 Thank God for the Bishops and Pope who compiled and ratified the New Testament between 385 and 430 AD. Thank the Holy Ghost for the inspiration to select and order the books of the Bible for you to misinterpret 2000 years later. "They TWIST the Scriptures to their own DESTRUCTION..."

[@frederickanderson1860]

@@thedudeabides3930 really they the ones who not allow the simple people read the latin language, only your educated priestd had that power,you think the ordinary peasant who worked hard and never been schooled in universities and had s comfortable life in monasteries. Same in Judaism and Islam, scholars educated in their seminars, thinking their God speaks through them by using words the common people dont understand. Its a power thing man, hierachachical power,we are rhe sheep, we dont understand God.. you guy's dont realise your sheep brainless sheep. Jesus spoke for the common people, like fishermen and shepherds and he spoke in simple stories, you ou guys apologists and theologians fool the people the naive ones you alone can unravel theSe mysteries. All a power game. Nothing changed ,no wonder Hitler and the Catholic church made a concordant to destroyed the Jewish ideal of no heirachy of rich and poor. They against it. We are the church we shall rule in over you all, we have a pontiff maximus like Augustus the 1dt emperor of Imperial Rome. We establish s magisterium just like the senate of Rome . We delude the people with our charitable works, we promote saint's to be worshipped, because we need their intercession,we are sinners under Grace. We taught for centuries that no salvation outside our heirachy. And dissent your bound for hell. Sure nothing changed,the truth will set you free,nit when you have such a heirachy of such eminence and higher morals. It sucks man. Wycliffe and Huss long before luther we're brave guy's,they challenged your church hold over people. You guys put faith in a system and popes and saint's, you guys are delusional.

[@MarmotCanales]

"Reason" 🤣

[@johnstfleur3987]

"BERLIN."

[@iqgustavo]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🌟 Faith is a supernatural light that raises the mind above worldly matters, but it can leave the mind in obscurity and darkness, leading to questions about its nature and clarity. 01:00 🌞 Aquinas compares the light of faith to grasping self-evident truths in natural reason; faith enables believers to judge primary articles of faith as true through a new "grasp of the mind." 02:22 🙌 Supernatural truths, like Jesus being God, can't be proven solely by natural reason, even with confirming signs. Belief in such truths requires the special gift of faith. 03:20 🙏 Faith relies on the testimony of God through divine revelation, rather than infusing new information into the mind. Faith elevates the mind to assent to heard truths. 04:21 💔 Sin can obscure the mind's ability to grasp truths, making even God's truths seem darker due to the disorder introduced by sin. 05:19 ✨ Conversion turns a sinner's mind towards God's light of faith, illuminating their understanding through divine grace. 06:16 🌌 Faith is obscure to us due to the brilliance of God's light, and because our limited intellect cannot fully comprehend God's truths while in this worldly state. 06:41 🤯 Faith leaves the mind restless as it desires complete understanding, but faith does not entirely remove intellectual imperfections and weaknesses. 07:11 ❓ Questions arising from faith are not doubts as long as firm assent to the truth of faith remains unchanged. Such questions are a normal part of the faith experience. 07:40 🙏 Faith goes beyond mere knowledge; it connects believers to God, allowing them to know Him as their Father and Redeemer who loves and saves them. Made with HARPA AI

[@jg1709]

Enjoying eternity with God: There is only one God who is eternally manifesting himself in three persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The Bible says, that we are all sinners. As it is written: There is none righteous, no not one. Romans 3:10 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 (The word “death” in this verse speaks of spiritual death in hell.) But the cowardly, UNBELIEVING, Abominable murderers. Sexually immoral, sorcerers,idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Rev 21:8 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18 Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that He was buried,and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1Cor 15 3:8 In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14 For by grace ye are saved; through faith and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast EPH 2:8 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vein Galatians 2:21 If you would like to receive Jesus as your Savior. Realize that you are a hopeless sinner and trust in Jesus and only Jesus to save you. You can say a prayer expressing your gratitude, sorrow for your sins, etc. the words don’t matter, but remember your prayer DOES NOT save you. Your trust in Jesus and what He did for you on the cross is what saves you. The moment you trust in Jesus and only Jesus, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit and are saved forever.

[@annettebertora4434]

I can put up with a lot cruelty, and blame human kind not the Lord. But tell me were is the love of God here : Up to 70 years ago, the mortality of small children's all over the world was huge. only in the ninetieth century, (And man here has no blame) 7/8 children on 10 will die. Just as a quote: queen Elizabet had 12 children's and no one survive. You will tell me that the kids are in haven, with angels, that they will be happy with God. But the IMMENSE pain that an enormity of parents fell????? Was all this necessary? What we learn from those dramas? What the heck God was thinking and doing, because germs , fevers, influenzas, just ordinary intestine troubles, were behind humankind knowledge, (Nowadays of course ,WE people can save children's from the above diseases) But certainly avoidable (then) by spiritual powers. This suffering was unnecessary, and make me seriously uncomfortable to believe....... Or perhaps, the Lord we worship is NOT what we think !!!!!!! Scary hu????? And You perhaps, may waist you entire life!

[@rolandovelasquez135]

Here is Thomas Aquinas' evaluation of all of his theological and philosophical writings in his own words. Including his Summa Theologiae which he did not finish. "I can write no more. All that I have written seems like straw.” We would do well to heed his words and focus on the only thing that is perfect, eternal and definitely not straw. The Gift of God, which is, the Word of God. Pardon me, but I could not fail to notice. You did not mention God's Word even once. Not even one single scripture. Don't forget: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:1‭-‬5

[@trixy8669]

Believing Jesus is God doesn't require some mysterious confused "faith". It requires experience and common sense. The church serves to muddy the waters of scripture and occult the true and clear path to salvation. All of this nonsense is completely unnecessary. The scriptural message is simple, clear, and unambiguous. Church leaders will always lack experience because they desire power not truth. The blind is leading the blind.

[@pg-jr8sy]

Of course it requires faith. How can you know just by using common sense that the Bible is true?

[@nephilimrephaim3949]

Faith is entirely unnecessary in order to fully commune with God. God is Reason itself. READ PLATO.

[@arkofthecovenant6235]

No Christian doctrine teaches that. To fully commune with God (judeo- christian) one needs to commune with Christ his son and adhere to his mandates that are contained in his true church.

[@nephilimrephaim3949]

Right, judeo-christianity only serves to turn you away from God, who is Logos. Break free from this evil and learn to know God through the light of reason. Read Plato.

[@westonstoler977]

@@nephilimrephaim3949 heretic

[@arkofthecovenant6235]

@@nephilimrephaim3949 My friend this texting back forth platform does not lend itself to a “ meeting of the minds.” I miss conversations in the spirit of dialogue or civil argumentation even if just agree to stay in disagreement. Nevertheless, allow me to suggest a good channel. Catholic Answers. They will NOT disrespect your opinion if you call in. They post their # everyday

[@JohnR.T.B.]

By reason you can make certain that God exists, the first cause and Creator of all things, but by human reasoning and thought alone we cannot understand truthfully nor can we see with human senses the true nature of God; because we are far too limited and God is spiritual in His essence, and then to say that you can fully commune with God without faith means you are communing with your reason and not God.