top of page
Search
Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Oct 68 min read

How Do Faith and Reason Relate According to Scripture and Sound Theology?

The Importance of Balancing Faith and Reason


The relationship between faith and reason has been a profound subject of reflection for theologians and apologists throughout history. From the early apologists like Justin Martyr and Augustine to the Scholastic period dominated by Thomas Aquinas, the challenge has been to understand how believers can integrate faith, which is a divinely bestowed trust in God, with reason, a human faculty for discerning truth.


The Bible consistently points to faith as a vital and central element in the believer’s relationship with God. Hebrews 11:1 declares, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Yet, Scripture does not demand blind faith but encourages believers to also use their reasoning. Isaiah 1:18 invites, "Come now, let us reason together, says Jehovah." This biblical directive highlights the necessity of both faith and reason, neither to the exclusion of the other.



Faith and Reason: Intertwined Yet Distinct


Thomas Aquinas provided a comprehensive framework to understand the relationship between faith and reason, teaching that they are intertwined but distinct. For Aquinas, faith uses reason as a tool, but reason alone cannot produce faith. Faith is a gift from God, rooted in divine revelation, and as Aquinas emphasized, "That a man should believe, therefore, cannot occur from himself unless God gives it" (Commentary on Ephesians 2:8-9). This underscores that while reason may accompany faith, it does not cause faith.


Paul in Ephesians 2:8 affirms that "by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." The Bible thus emphasizes that faith originates from God and not from human intellect or reasoning. The grace of God, working through His Word and by His will, leads a person to faith, which transcends the capabilities of human reason alone.



The Role of Reason in Supporting Faith


While faith is divinely granted, reason can be used to support faith, defend it against opposition, and clarify what is already believed. As Aquinas observed, "The natural reason cannot be contrary to the truth of faith" (Summa Theologica). The Bible supports this concept, showing that rational defense of the faith, or apologetics, is not only necessary but commanded. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs believers to "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."


Although reason cannot compel faith, it does play a significant role in explaining and defending the truth claims of Christianity. For example, the existence of God can be known through reason, as Paul asserts in Romans 1:20, "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." Natural revelation provides humanity with sufficient evidence of God's existence, power, and nature, leaving them "without excuse." Thus, reason can lead individuals to the knowledge of God, even if it cannot by itself bring them to saving faith.



Three Uses of Reason in Christian Apologetics


According to Aquinas, reason plays a vital role in three key areas of theology and apologetics:


  1. Demonstrating the preambles of faith: Certain truths about God—such as His existence, unity, and attributes—can be demonstrated by natural reason. These "preambles of faith" serve as preparatory knowledge for deeper theological truths revealed by God. Romans 1:19-20 clearly teaches that God has made some truths about Himself evident through creation, which can be understood by reason.

  2. Clarifying revealed doctrines: While supernatural truths such as the Trinity or the Incarnation surpass the capacity of reason, reason can still help elucidate aspects of these doctrines by drawing on analogies and philosophical concepts. Aquinas frequently referenced Augustine’s work in explaining the Trinity, showing how reason can assist in grasping the depths of faith.

  3. Refuting attacks against faith: Reason is indispensable in defending the Christian faith against objections. Paul, when debating in synagogues and public squares, often engaged in reasoned arguments to prove that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 17:2-3). Reason can be used to dismantle false doctrines or philosophies that oppose the truth of Christianity, such as atheism or paganism.



The Limits of Human Reason in Understanding Divine Truth


Aquinas was careful to draw distinctions between the role of reason and the role of faith. He taught that human reason, while powerful, has its limitations, particularly when it comes to understanding divine mysteries. Faith transcends reason because the truths of the Christian faith are often beyond the capacity of the human intellect to fully comprehend. As Aquinas wrote, “There are some truths about God that exceed all the ability of the human reason” (Summa Theologica 1.3).


This is echoed in 1 Corinthians 2:14, where Paul writes, "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." This verse underscores that without the guidance of God’s revelation and Spirit, human reason alone cannot grasp the fullness of divine truth. The mysteries of the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the nature of God’s eternal purposes are not things that reason can arrive at independently—they must be received by faith.



Faith Supported by Evidence: A Reasonable Faith


Despite its limitations, reason does support faith, particularly through evidence. Biblical faith is not a leap into the dark but is grounded in evidence and reason. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." The "conviction" in this passage indicates that faith is based on evidence that is not always visible but is nonetheless real.


Aquinas argued that faith should not be believed foolishly, but rather based on evidence, including miracles and the conversion of the pagan world to Christianity. Miracles serve as a tangible witness to divine truth. As Jesus said in John 10:37-38, "If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."


Therefore, reason supports faith by pointing to the works of God as evidence that confirms the truths of the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and the radical transformation of believers are all powerful evidences that reason can grasp and which bolster the Christian’s faith.



Reason Prior to Faith: The Role of Investigation


Aquinas acknowledged that reason often precedes faith by investigating whether the revelation or the messenger is credible. This inquiry is supported by the signs and miracles accompanying divine revelation. For example, before accepting Jesus as the Messiah, many individuals in the Gospels asked for signs (John 6:30), and Jesus performed miracles that testified to His identity (John 20:30-31).


However, the act of faith goes beyond intellectual inquiry. Faith is a voluntary act that involves the will, and it is produced by God through grace. As Aquinas remarked, “Belief is a matter of the will, but the will needs to be prepared by God ‘to be lifted up to what surpasses nature’” (Summa Theologica 2a2ae.2.9). This highlights that faith, while supported by evidence, is ultimately a response to God’s grace working in the heart of the believer. Ephesians 2:8 confirms this: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."



The Testimony of the Holy Spirit in Faith


The most significant aspect of faith is the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit. Aquinas argued that while external evidence, such as miracles, may support belief, the inward work of the Spirit is what truly causes a person to believe. Paul affirms this in 1 Corinthians 12:3, stating, "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit works in conjunction with reason, but it is the Spirit’s testimony that enables individuals to embrace the truth of the gospel fully.


The Meritorious Nature of Faith


Faith is not only a free act but also meritorious because it is a willing response to God's invitation. Aquinas explains that faith involves both the intellect and the will, and because it is a voluntary act, it is meritorious. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." This verse emphasizes that faith, by its nature, involves an element of reward, because it is a response of trust and obedience to God.



The Noetic Effects of Sin: The Need for Divine Revelation


The Bible teaches that the fall of humanity has impacted human reasoning. Sin has darkened the mind and made it difficult for people to discern spiritual truths. Paul writes in Romans 1:21, "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." This passage points to the noetic effects of sin, which corrupt human understanding and necessitate divine revelation.


Given the fallen nature of humanity, reason alone is insufficient for fully grasping divine truth. Revelation is essential, and it is through Scripture that God reveals Himself and His purposes to humanity. As Aquinas remarked, “To the end, therefore, that a knowledge of God, undoubted and secure, might be present among men, it was necessary that divine things be taught by way of faith, spoken as it were by the Word of God who cannot lie” (Summa Theologica 2a2ae.2.4).



Faith Completes and Perfects Reason


While reason is an essential tool for understanding the world and defending the faith, it has limitations. Faith, which comes through divine revelation and the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit, completes and perfects reason. It brings individuals to a deeper knowledge of God that is not attainable by human intellect alone. Faith is not opposed to reason but goes beyond it, allowing believers to embrace truths that surpass human comprehension, such as the doctrine of the Trinity and the Incarnation.


The Christian faith calls for both a commitment of the mind and a submission of the will to the authority of God’s Word. As Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Reason supports and strengthens faith, but faith ultimately rests in the assurance of God’s truth, revealed through His Word and affirmed by the Holy Spirit.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).



RECOMMENDED READING


24 views0 comments

Comments

bottom of page