Comments for Faith's Greatest Threat at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 9 out of 9 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Tue, 21 May 2013 20:41:55 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/faiths-greatest-threat.html#comment-6119 Reason is only one faculty of our soul. The faculty of reason is held up on too high a pedestal. Almost to the point that theology becomes a sterile philosophical string of arguments and conclusions. Reason can only take one so far, and while it is still capable of organizing the mind of one too loud or harsh inside to listen to the Spirit; it can also be over-emphasized as a faculty to the point where one loses the ability to listen for a new answer. Reason may create the inner structure of you personal ethics and decision making, but it must yield to a constant listening into the quiet to the soft promptings and light of the Spirit. The proper disposition, given by Christ, is: "do not worry what you you will say, it will be given to you at the time". Reason only works properly when this inner listening always comes first. Otherwise your reason has little difference from that of the atheists. Reason is only a tool. When Christ was brought the woman in adultery, he did not reason a solution.....he knelt down and drew in the sand until he saw the answer. Reason usually weighs opposites and picks one, whereas the Spirit finds the Way of Christ. - Denny Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:32:00 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/faiths-greatest-threat.html#comment-5586 'Rather, the greatest challenge to faith comes from a view often used to defend faith: the view that radically separates and opposes faith and reason and which, at times, maintains that belief is a matter of the heart and not the mind.' Astonishing. Simple, yet so complex. - isa Mon, 03 Jan 2011 23:43:20 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/faiths-greatest-threat.html#comment-2054 Excellent! THE CATHOLIC THING publishes a gem every day! Thank you! - Mack Hall Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:34:06 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/faiths-greatest-threat.html#comment-2040 Thanks Debby. Well said!!! - Willie Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:16:21 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/faiths-greatest-threat.html#comment-2034 i think the parable of the Sower (Matt, Mark & Luke) sheds light on this. God is the Sower, every one receives the seed of faith. not everyone responds. we, the faithfilled, can pray for more grace & seeds of faith for others. once received, faith grows as the person exercises it, steps out of the boat, risks, etc. for me, growing in my belief in His love for me (me alone) & not relying on results are key. Gift of Faith-amazon.com-fab devotional to grow in faith. God wants to save us ALL. - debby Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:17:14 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/faiths-greatest-threat.html#comment-2032 I've noticed this "retreat to faith" in the marriage debate. Pro-marriage people will go on and on about how marriage is a sacred institution, but never mention how only a man & a woman can bring forth children. - Mark Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:55:31 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/faiths-greatest-threat.html#comment-2029 I agree that faith and reason together are necessary for man to understand his place in creation. However, faith is a gift; it is a theological virtue. How does one aquire this faith? Are some given more faith than others or some not at all. How do you tell someone to pray for faith if they don't have faith? Are we all predestined for a certain amount of faith? On the other hand I don't think our answers to life can be answered by pure reason. Such questions as' why am I here.' Just thoughts! - Willie Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:53:47 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/faiths-greatest-threat.html#comment-2027 what a REASONABLE post! hasn't the "culitivation of reason" has been methodically replaced? systemic in our educational systems is a lack of formation w/regards to how to think, present an idea, have a civil discussion/debate, i.e., basic LOGIC. its criminal. we do not have to be stupid, passion-only driven beings, yet it seems as if a vast majority are comfortable w/such a low existence. Like Ancient Rome, we've reduced ourselves to "bread & circus" for the masses,etc. our Fall is coming. - debby Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:53:14 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/faiths-greatest-threat.html#comment-2026 Excellent! I found myself thinking of G. K. Chesterton & Benedict XVI as I read this article. Well stated, sound, and clear exposition of Catholic teaching. - Michael Francis James Lee Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:41:14 +0100