Dan Borvan at Geneva Redux has an interesting quotation (actually two) from Turretin on the relation of Faith and Reason (part 1)(part 2). As Turretin correctly points out that we do not make reason our first principle such that we deny what natural light and reason cannot comprehend, although we do permit reason to serve as an instrument and medium by which and through which we are drawn to faith.
-TurretinFan
Thursday, April 09, 2009
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Not to stand up my "reason" to our dear brother Francis, but it is pretty clear to me, at least, that "reason" has a fundamental role in getting beyond the simplicity of the Gospel so as to function maturely in Christ in our lifetime. Maturity is available to everyone who walks with the Lord in every generation.
Here is why. First from Hebrews:
Heb 6:3 And this we will do if God permits.
Really to embrace that verse you need to go back up into chapter Five and understand the "reason" for it, here:
Heb 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
I don't know about you, but suffering has been an added tool of learning for me, sad to say.
Now, consider that there is used only twice in the New Testament the Greek word: logikos.
For those of you, like me, who do not read or write or speak Greek, here's the simple definition and then I will give the two citations where it is used. Consider the "topic" and the taxonomy for its use:
λογικός
logikos
log-ik-os'
From G3056; rational (“logical”): - reasonable, of the word.
Now the citations:
Rom 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
And
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation--
1Pe 2:3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
My son has pigeons. When they mated the mommy began laying eggs. He then got two of the eggs fully hatched. It was a lesson to learn to see these parent pigeons feed the squabs. Both parents did the feeding. They would basically vomit up this white milky creamy looking stuff and drop it into the squab's noisy squawking mouth. It worked as we have now four pigeons flying around my house!
Reason, as I understand the way the Holy Ghost teaches it, is it is that white milky creamy stuff Jesus feeds babes in Christ at the beginning of their walk to maturity. And if God permits, we shall go onto eating Lamb Chops! And we just may walk on water! Huh? Don't believe me? Ask Peter! He ought to know a thing or two about growing up in a reasonable fashion before the Risen Lord!
Yes, reason is not bad, and it is an aid to us.
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