Rationality

“Humans possess dignity of rational nature, but this comes to them as a gift, not as something they have earned…This honor accorded to each person as a rational being is a recognition of the ability to use the mind to acquire and use knowledge, especially in relation to faith.” (St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop Demetrios)

“Rationality is not the primary mode of believing. Faith is not simply what you believe, it is equally how you believe.” (Father Stephen Freeman)

“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be” (Luke 1:29). That word “wondered” is not a terribly good translation. The Greek word means “to make an audit.” It is an accounting word, and it means to be adding things up, weighing and pondering, to be intensely rational.” (Pastor Timothy Keller)

“...this is perhaps the greatest Christian paradox of all—that the world’s most paradoxical religion has cultivated rationalism and scientific rigor more diligently than any of its rivals, making the Christian world safe for philosophy as well as fervor, for the study of nature as well as the contemplation of divinity.” (Ross Douthat)

“If we did not have rational souls, we would not be able to believe…Human rationality alone will never penetrate the workings of God.” (Saint Augustine, Dynamis 1/14/10)

#StJohnChrysostom #ArchbishopDemetrios #FatherStephenFreeman #PastorTimothyKeller #RossDouthat #SaintAugustine