January 28th

As an atheist, I find it difficult to have faith in something like Scripture that describes how holy beings like God exist. The word “faith” itself is has somewhat negative connotations, as it sounds as though one who has “faith” in others is giving up their reasoning and blindly following. In “The Reasonableness of Faith,” Wilken points out that we rely on faith every day for various reasons. Wilken cites Augustine, who says, “In practical life, I cannot see how anyone can refuse to believe altogether,” (p. 171). He is describing how we rely on the information of witnesses constantly. For example, ignoring modern DNA testing, “A child cannot know with absolute certainty who his father is unless he believes what his mother tells him,” (p. 171). Also, with general history, we believe what witnesses tell us in books and though letters, despite not witnessing historical events ourselves. We rely on and choose to believe in authorities, whom Augustine describes as not those to whom we bend the knee, but those who have the qualities “that makes it possible to act on the basis of what someone has said,” (p. 171). Religion has power through faith, and faith is necessary for it to work. Just as we believe witnesses about things like the Boston Tea Party and the French Revolution, we must have faith in the witnesses of God and the Word of God to believe. Wilken describes faith as beneficial because in practice it enriches one’s life, just as learning a new skill or hobby does, and it takes time to master the entire practice. “…one does not learn to love God in an exuberant moment of delight,” (p. 172). To have faith in God is to become an apprentice to his love, which takes time, but is rewarding. Wilken quotes Richard of Saint Victor, who said, “‘Where there is love, there is seeing.’ Faith is then by way of reason,” (p. 184). In this way, there is truth in loving and believing in something that seems so abstract. This is why faith is both necessary and beneficial.