Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 84 No. 2, 2014.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
The Relation of Faith and Reason in Light of the Human Being’s Createdness in the Image of God
Anton Tamarut
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
The article reflects and analyses the relationship between faith and reason in light of the human being’s createdness in the image of God. The author is convinced that the answer to the question of what or who is the human being is essential for understanding the relationship between faith and reason. The theme of the image of God represents the key for understanding the human being in Christian, Biblical-theological anthropology. According to this anthropology, the human being is essentially and constitutively defined by his/her close and friendly relation with God. S/he is essentially relational being, created to create communion, for life in communion. Her/his communion with God, which expands into communion with other human beings and includes close and friendly relation with all that has been created, is brought about through faith and reason, reasonable faith and believing reason. A harmonious relation of faith and reason, which respects and acknowledges differences and promotes uniqueness of one or the other, guarantees successful history of the human beings’ aspiration for truth. Concerning the question why did faith and reason become alienated from each other and parted their ways in their search for truth, often accusing each other of unwarranted pretensions, exclusiveness, and arrogance, and, thus, creating inner division in the human being, the author, following the Scriptures and later Christian tradition, answers by pointing out the teaching on sin – the mystery of iniquity (mysterium iniquitatis). On the other hand, the author sees the possibility of renewal of complementary and harmonious relation of faith and reason, which springs forth from the human being’s createdness in the image of God, in the mystery of piety (mysterium pietatis). It is based on Christ – the perfect image of God (cf. 2 Cor 4:4). The truth contained in the imago Dei, in theology of the New Testament, has found its source and reached its peak in the imago Christi. Namely, the »nuptial union« of faith and reason, »union« which renews the whole »inner human being«, including her/his body (cf. Rom 8:23), is redeemed, renewed, and sanctified in Christ’s Paschal Mystery. From the perspective of the history of salvation, one could say that faith and reason are on the way, in the process of redemption. By using the scene of Peter’s and John’s race towards Jesus’ empty tomb (cf. Jn 20:1-10), the author concludes his reflection on the relation between faith and reason in light of the human being’s createdness in the image of God, with the following image: John and Peter, faith and reason, while being together on the same journey through history and toward salvation, race with the same passion and curiosity towards the same goal, with the same reasons, and with the same wish. Towards resurrection!
Ključne riječi
faith; reason; image of God; union; mysterium iniquitatis; mysterium pietatis
Hrčak ID:
124956
URI
Datum izdavanja:
11.7.2014.
Posjeta: 2.147 *