What Is Faith? (Aquinas 101)

Summary

This script challenges the misconception that faith is irrational or unsupported by evidence. It explains that faith is a natural part of human life, involving trust in the testimony of others, which is reasonable when the source is credible. Examples include trusting a doctor's diagnosis, historical records, or a teacher's expertise. The script also draws a parallel between this everyday faith and the Christian faith in divine testimony, suggesting that faith in God's infallible word is even more reasonable. It emphasizes the role of faith as a gift from God, guided by the Spirit, and not solely based on rational evidence.

Takeaways

• 😌 Faith is often misunderstood as believing without evidence or as a purely subjective feeling, but these views are flawed.
• 👀 Faith is not unreasonable; it involves trusting the testimony of others when we cannot verify something ourselves.
• 🌅 Examples of faith in everyday life include believing a friend about a sunset or trusting a doctor's diagnosis.
• 🧠 Faith is not just about believing without reason; it's about trusting the word of a witness, which can be reasonable if the witness is reliable.
• 🏥 Acts of faith are common in society, such as trusting airlines to fly safely or a surgeon to perform a successful operation.
• 📚 Faith is essential for learning and understanding history, science, and even our own personal histories.
• 🤔 The necessity of faith in human life suggests that it is not only reasonable but also a natural part of how we function as a society.
• 🔍 While it's important to consider the credibility of our sources, it's not feasible to verify every piece of information personally, making faith a practical necessity.
• 📖 The script draws a parallel between the natural human faith in others' testimony and the supernatural faith in God's word as revealed in Christianity.
• ✝️ Christian faith is seen as a gift from God, not just a rational conclusion based on evidence, but a belief in divine testimony that is beyond human fallibility.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about faith mentioned in the script?

The common misconception is that faith means believing something without any evidence or verification, or that it is merely a subjective feeling about something like God or the meaning of life.

How does the script differentiate faith from knowledge based on evidence?

The script differentiates faith from knowledge by explaining that knowledge is based on evidence that is either evident to one's senses or reason, whereas faith is believing something based on the word or testimony of another person.

What is the script's definition of faith?

The script defines faith as believing something on the word or testimony of another person, especially when that person is a credible witness.

Why is faith considered reasonable according to the script?

Faith is considered reasonable in the script because it is based on the testimony of trustworthy witnesses, and it is a natural and ordinary part of human life that allows us to learn and function in society.

Give an example from the script where faith is necessary in everyday life.

One example is when a doctor diagnoses a specific disease; believing the doctor's diagnosis is an act of faith.

How does the script relate human faith to Christian faith?

The script relates human faith to Christian faith by drawing an analogy between the natural trust in human testimony and the supernatural gift of faith in God and Jesus Christ, suggesting that if it is reasonable to trust human testimony, it is even more reasonable to trust the infallible word of God.

What does the script say about the necessity of faith in learning and societal function?

The script argues that faith is a necessary and inescapable part of life, as without it, individuals and societies would not be able to function effectively, learn, or build relationships.

How does the script describe the role of faith in scientific endeavors?

The script describes faith in scientific endeavors as necessary when scientists trust each other's findings without double-checking every claim with independent experiments or studies.

What does the script suggest about the importance of evaluating the sources of our faith?

The script suggests that it is important to consider the sources of our faith, think about who we are believing, and evaluate their qualifications and credentials with care.

How does the script explain the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian faith?

The script explains that the Holy Spirit plays a role in Christian faith by being the gift of God that moves individuals, in coordination with the Church, to believe everything that God has revealed.

What does the script suggest as a way to learn more about the topics discussed?

The script suggests visiting Aquinas101.com for readings, podcasts, and free video courses on Aquinas to learn more about the topics discussed.