The Catholic Peace Weekly's "Preciousness of Faith" column reflects on the life of faith: "Faith the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Heb. 11)
There are many people around us who no longer hold religious beliefs. Among the columnist's childhood friends, almost none of them attend church today. We ask the non-believers: Why don’t you believe? However, from their perspective, it is a greater mystery: Why do you still believe?
Whether we believe or not, we walk the same path. We search for meaning. Some people ask questions quickly, while others do so slowly. How should we live so that our lives are valuable and meaningful? What does it mean to live a full life? Nihilism denies this meaning.
The following words of Jesus come to us who ask these questions. “For to him who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.” (Matthew 13:12)
According to the columnist's experience, spiritual growth tends to regress if not nurtured. Through this dialogue with non-believers, we are invited to rediscover the profound value of life and deepen our understanding of existence.
John Paul II's encyclical Fides et Ratio makes clear that faith and reason are essential for an understanding of truth and they should work together. In the 48th paragraph of the encyclical the Pope says: "Parrhesia of faith must be matched by the boldness of reason"
Faith and reason are essential for a full understanding of truth, and they should work together rather than in opposition to each other. "Parrhesia" from the Greek means candid and free speech, the obligation to speak the truth for the common good even at personal risk.
We need confidence and openness to express our beliefs in religious faith without fear of judgment or reprisal. It implies a deep-seated trust in the tenets of one's faith and the courage to share that faith with others. Boldness of reason signifies the courage to pursue intellectual inquiry, to question, to analyze, and to explore the depths of human knowledge. It's about not being afraid to grapple with complex ideas, even if they challenge existing beliefs. It involves a commitment to seeking truth through logical thought and evidence-based reasoning.
The phrase emphasizes that neither faith nor reason should dominate the other. Instead, they should complement each other in the quest for truth. Faith provides a framework of belief and a sense of purpose, while reason helps to understand and articulate that faith in a meaningful way.
Fides et Ratio argues that faith can broaden the horizons of reason, while reason can help to understand and express the truths of faith. They are not mutually exclusive but rather work together to lead individuals toward a more comprehensive understanding of reality and their place within it.
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