1. Knowing God’s Existence through Reason
CCC #31-35
“Proofs” = converging and convincing
arguments
From the perspective of the world and the human person
Aristotle --- one First Cause
Saint Thomas Aquinas --- The 5 Ways of coming to know God’s existence

2. Natural Revelation--- what God communicates simply through the existence of creation (We can know something about God from the visible works of creation--- “a cause is known by its effects”)

3. Difficulties in coming to know God by reason alone:
Some truths are beyond the grasp of human reason (they are above human reason, not irrational)
As a consequence of original sin, our intellect is darkened and we can sometimes make wrong conclusions… thus the need for Revelation
Fallen reason means it would be difficult, fraught with doubt, and with an admixture of error

4. Principle Errors Regarding the Existence of God
Atheism
Agnosticism
Rationalism
Fideism
(See Handout)

5. Think about it! Are they the same thing? How can we distinguish them?
Science and Reason
Are they the same thing?
How can we distinguish them?
Think about it!

6. Science Cannot prove that God exists
Is a way of knowing about the world of nature
Systematic observation of the world
Seek to understand laws and structure that govern nature
Science is a restriction of reason, not reason itself
Seeks those truths which can be demonstrated

7. Consider……Examples Human person Hamlet and a stack of papers
Science makes use of reason, but reason is much more than science.
Science can measure some things well, but it can’t measure everything well.
Why is this important??? Some would argue that things that cannot be measured scientifically either do not exist or cannot be known. (Scientism)
Scientists also depend on the world being knowable (intelligibility of the world…not chance)

8. What is meant by Divine Revelation? CCC #50-53
See 1 John 4:7-18
What is meant by Divine Revelation? CCC #50-53
What is our response to Divine Revelation? CCC #

9. Divine Revelation CCC #50-53
God comes to meet us!
He chooses to reveal Himself
He makes known his plan of loving goodness
Revealed by deeds and words
Gradually communicated
Culminates in the definitive Revelation of his Son, Jesus Christ
No further Revelation after Christ

10. “In Him, He has poured out His heart to us and made His
YouCat #7
God opened Himself to us out of Love
Seen in Creation, the patriarchs, the prophets, and ultimately His Son
“In Him, He has poured out
His heart to us and made His
inmost being visible for us.”

11. Faith---An Individual Response
To respond to God means to believe Him:
To listen
To be attentive
To believe Him
To trust Him completely
To learn to understand Him better and better
To accept His will

12. Faith
Read CCC #
CCC #166
“Faith is a personal act--- the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself…”

13. 7 Characteristics of Faith
Sheer Gift
Supernatural
Personal assent/free will
Absolutely Certain
Faith Love (action follows being)
Element of Growth
Foretaste of Heaven
(Parachute example)