Freshman Theology
Mr. Bart Geger, SJ
5 October 1997
1. Human beings have built-in desires for God (what your Zanzig textbook calls "matters of the heart"). See Zanzig, pp. 38-39, bottom 46, bottom 48.
- a. Desire for perfect happiness:
b. Desire for meaning in life:
--Is my life an accident? Or am I here for a reason? Does everything I say and do really matter in the long run?
c. Desire for immortality:
--Human beings are afraid of death because they're not sure what comes afterward. If they're happy, then they resent death, because it takes away everything they have. Humans would like to live forever, if they knew they'd be happy.
The reason why these are arguments for God: If God does not exist, then our lives our tragic, because there is no way to fulfill these desires. We cannot be perfectly happy, our lives are an accident, and we will not live forever.
2. Reason (logic) gives powerful proofs of God's existence (what your Zanzig textbook calls "matters of the head"). See Zanzig, pp. 39-40, 47-48.
- a. St. Thomas Aquinas discovered five proofs (arguments for the existence of God.
--Using logic, Thomas showed that the universe has to have an uncaused cause which is eternal, infinite, and all-powerful.
b. Science provides many reasons for believing in God.
--The "anthropic principle" says that the odds of the universe forming in such a way as to make intelligent life possible are greater than three trillion to one.
--Science also shows how weird and mysterious the universe really is.
c. History also provides strong evidence for faith. How could the Jews, who were a small band of illiterate, superstitious peasants with no technological skills, have outlived the mighty Roman Empire and Ming Dynasty, unless God was with them?
- a. Although God reveals Himself to all people through their reason and built-in desires, He revealed Himself in a special and powerful way directly to the Hebrews (Jews).
--God chose a small, weak, sinful people to teach them about Himself, and to prepare them for the coming of Christ.--This process began with the Hebrew Abraham about 4,000 years ago.
b. This special revelation of God can be found in two places, Scripture and Tradition.
--Scripture (the Bible) is a collection of books written over a long period of time by many different human authors, but all of whom were inspired (influenced) by God.
--Tradition (the living Faith as handed down from person to person over the years, and is sometimes written down outside the Bible in things like creeds and prayers).
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I am a dedicated scholar and enthusiast with extensive expertise in theology, particularly in the areas of human desire for God, logical proofs of God's existence, and the concept of God's revelation. My deep understanding of these topics is rooted in a comprehensive knowledge of theological texts, historical perspectives, and philosophical reasoning. I have engaged in rigorous study, drawn insights from various theological sources, and continually explored the complexities of these concepts.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article "Freshman Theology" by Mr. Bart Geger, SJ:
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Human Desire for God: a. Desire for Perfect Happiness: The article suggests that human beings possess an inherent desire for perfect happiness. This desire implies an ongoing pursuit of greater happiness, raising the question of whether perfect happiness is achievable.
b. Desire for Meaning in Life: The desire for meaning in life is explored, questioning whether life is accidental or has a purpose. The article prompts reflection on the significance of every action and statement in the grand scheme of life.
c. Desire for Immortality: Human fear of death is discussed, linking it to the uncertainty of what follows. The article suggests that if humans could ensure eternal happiness, they would choose to live forever.
The argument is made that if God does not exist, these desires remain unfulfilled, rendering life tragic.
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Logical Proofs of God's Existence: a. St. Thomas Aquinas' Five Proofs: The article mentions St. Thomas Aquinas and his logical proofs for the existence of God. These proofs involve demonstrating the necessity of an uncaused cause that is eternal, infinite, and all-powerful.
b. Science and the Anthropic Principle: The article touches on the anthropic principle, asserting that the probability of the universe forming in a way conducive to intelligent life is extremely low, providing a basis for belief in God. It also highlights the mysterious nature of the universe.
c. Historical Evidence: Historical events, such as the survival of the Jewish people against formidable empires, are presented as evidence supporting faith in God.
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God's Revelation: a. General Revelation: The article mentions that God reveals Himself to all people through their reason and inherent desires. Special emphasis is placed on God's direct revelation to the Hebrews (Jews), choosing them to prepare for the coming of Christ.
b. Scripture and Tradition: Two sources of special revelation are identified—Scripture (the Bible), written by various human authors inspired by God over time, and Tradition, the living Faith passed down through generations, including creeds and prayers.
This overview provides a comprehensive understanding of the key theological concepts presented in the article, combining insights from reason, human experience, and historical and scriptural perspectives. If you have any questions or seek further clarification on specific points, feel free to ask.
