Aaron Poelker's Journal: Section 3
1.One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the topic of the week. The key idea of this section is Faith with a capital “F.” There are three definitions to faith: the secular definition, the biblical idea of faith, and the Catholic definition of faith. In layman’s terms faith is defined as an “allegiance to duty or a person; loyalty.”(RB p.91). In everyday situations we put our faith in many different things and it is important to discern between the things we should and should not put faith in. There are seven different parts to the Catholic definition of faith which include: faith as being a risk, human response, grace, reasonable, certain, seeks understanding, and virtue. Catholics must also remember that “‘blind faith,’or putting faith in God with nothing to support your beliefs”(RB p.94) is foolish. You should have evidence and ideas to support your faith. The biblical definition of faith is that it is not totally intellectual; it is more of a loving trust, involves periods of doubt and struggle, involves risk and periods of darkness, and it is an ongoing series of decisions. As we can see there are many similarities between the Catholic and biblical definitions of faith and also the secular definition. I think all three definitions supplement each other in leading us closer to our God and redeemer.
2. List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week. Nihilism. Nihilism is defined as “a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfolded and that existence is senseless and useless; a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth, especially moral truth.”(RB p.98). The idea of nihilism was popular around the 19th century in Europe and especially Russia amongst the intellectuals. The idea of nihilism, the denying of any real truth is in itself contradictory. If nihilist believe that there is no truth how can they believe what they are speaking is the truth? Nihilist believe that the universe is in “flux” which means “what is true today may not be true tomorrow.” (RB p.99). Radicalism. Radicalism is defined as “adamantly believing something is true without any evidence to support that belief, in spite of strong evidence contrary to that belief.” (RB p.101). Radicalism has many different forms which include fundamentalist who interpret everything in their religions holy book as absolute scientific proof. Another form of radicalism is fanaticism which is believing in something so much that one’s actions become preposterous and hypocritical. Radicalism is not a way to supplement our faith. We are supposed to have evidence and back our faith with ideas and experiences, but radicalism is blind. The Golden Way To Faith. The Golden Way To Faith is to have reasons to back your faith. Both nihilism and radicalism are missing one crucial element to their principles. Radicalism is “beliefs, but no reason,” (RB p.102) and nihilism is “reason, but no beliefs.” (RB p.102). The only option is faith which is supported by our reasons for having that faith.
3. One image of that reminds you of the topic. Attribute, link, your source.
Source: The Mission
4. One good question you should keep with you to ponder.
How can I be a more faithful person by using both the biblical and Catholic definitions of faith?
5. What should you try to do to make you a better person, a more faithful person, from this study.
To be a more faithful person I think I should pay attention to the reasons or lack thereof of reasons that I have for faith in God and anything else I have faith in. I should avoid having faith in something that has no reasons supporting my faith in it. I have learned from this chapter that putting faith in something should be a serious process and faith should not come to something in a matter of minutes, but rather reflected on.
