Lesson 20 –
Specific Kinds of Credibility

Many signs confirm for us that it is God himself who has revealed the mysteries of faith spelled out in the articles of the Creed, and St. Thomas Aquinas says it belongs to theology to offer a narrative of those confirmatory signs. Even though our faith is not based on such signs, it is a joy nonetheless to study them and acquire a sense of God speaking to us through the testimony of the prophets and apostles.

Course Reading

Summa Contra Gentiles bk. I, c. 6 | St. Thomas Aquinas

An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent, 354-360 | St. John Henry Newman

Excerpt from chapter 6 of book I of the Summa Contra Gentiles:

“Now those who believe this truth, of which reason affords a proof, believe not lightly, as though following foolish fables (2 Pet. 1:16). For divine Wisdom Himself, Who knows all things most fully, deigned to reveal to man the secrets of God’s wisdom: and by suitable arguments proves His presence, and the truth of His doctrine and inspiration, by performing works surpassing the capability of the whole of nature, namely, the wondrous healing of the sick, the raising of the dead to life, a marvellous control over the heavenly bodies, and what excites yet more wonder, the inspiration of human minds, so that unlettered and simple persons are filled with the Holy Ghost, and in one instant are endowed with the most sublime wisdom and eloquence.”

Course Listening

Thoughtful Belief in a Secular Age: The Grammar of Assent | Archbishop Longley & Sr. Droste, O.P.

Faith and Reason in the Life of St. John Henry Newman | Dr. Nathaniel Peters

Related videos from earlier in the series

This episode was made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this project are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.