Chapter 2
Good Monday Morning to this second week of 2024
For we walk THROUGH faith, not THROUGH sight. LSV
Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle walk into a tavern. They start discussing the nature of happiness. Aristotle says, “Happiness is the highest good, achieved through virtuous living and the cultivation of the soul.” Aquinas nods thoughtfully and replies, “But is happiness the ultimate end, or merely a glimpse of the Divine?”
Or another more conceptual joke referencing Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Schleiermacher
Why did Kant and Schleiermacher avoid playing chess together? Because Kant always wanted to stick to the categorical and moral rules of the game, while Schleiermacher preferred to interpret the moves based on his “feeling of absolute dependence” on the board!
In a hypothetical debate, I welcome Markus Gabriel and the Apostle Paul, with Philemon presiding as the moderator.
Markus Gabriel: “Ideas are not powerful because everyone knows where they come from.”
Apostle Paul: “Ah, but consider this: ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ The source of ideas might be known, but the transformative power lies in transcending the ordinary and aligning with a higher truth.”
Markus Gabriel: “We cannot be free if we are not able to think beyond what we are taught to think.”
Apostle Paul: “Indeed, yet there’s a paradox. ‘For freedom, Christ has set us free.’ True freedom lies not just in thinking beyond teachings but in being liberated from the bondage of self-serving thoughts and desires, embracing a truth that surpasses mere human teachings.”
Markus Gabriel: “Meaning doesn’t come from somewhere out there; it’s something we create in our lives.”
Apostle Paul: “Yet, ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ Meaning is not merely a product of human creation; it’s discovered in the context of a larger, divine purpose. It’s found in aligning our lives with the eternal truths and love revealed to us.”
Markus Gabriel: “But how can we be certain of these eternal truths?”
Apostle Paul: “Through faith. ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’ It’s in this belief, this assurance, that we discover the everlasting truths that surpass our limited human understanding.”
Apostle Paul relishes the spirited exchange with Markus Gabriel, finding joy in the intellectual discourse that has unfolded. As the debate nears its conclusion, Paul, filled with contemplation, seeks to encapsulate the essence of his profound insight into faith. In a hushed yet deliberate manner, he addresses the room, filled with an attentive audience.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Markus Gabriel ponders intensely in a soul-searching way and answers;
“While faith undeniably opens our vision beyond the tangible, let us cherish the profound gift bestowed upon us—our human faculties, enabling us to inquire, explore, and grasp. We do not dismiss the realm of the unseen; rather, we embrace the boundless potential of our rational minds in pursuit of profound insights. Our capacity to reason, to question, and to confront challenges stands as a testament to the unyielding pursuit of knowledge and the quest for profound meaning within the human spirit.”
As the discourse between Markus Gabriel and the Apostle Paul draws to a close, the room hangs in contemplative silence, resonating with the echoes of their profound perspectives on faith, reason, and the pursuit of meaning. The audience, enraptured by the philosophical exchange, finds themselves at the cusp of a thought-provoking conclusion.
Amid this contemplative atmosphere, a gentle smile graces Philemon’s face as he offers a few concluding thoughts.
In the dialogue between faith and reason, let us not see them as adversaries, but rather as complementary aspects of our pursuit of truth and understanding. While within our human sphere, they might appear as allies guiding us through life’s challenges, they embody more profound distinctions. Faith holds within it an essence of the Divine and the supernatural, evading complete comprehension by reason alone. It beckons us to transcend the tangible and place our trust in the Divine.
However, as reason illumines our path through these spiritual revelations, we recognize the limitations inherent in our understanding. Our unwavering quest for God and knowledge, harmonized with the grace of faith, weaves a tapestry that interlaces the visible and the unseen. This fusion cultivates a richer understanding, inviting us to embrace the mystery and the known, bridging our human limitations with the eternal wisdom of the Divine.
Wishing you an enlightened start to his new week.
Philemon