Reason and Faith in Reformed Theology
Reason and Faith in Reformed Theology
Reformed theology emphasizes the interplay between reason and faith, with faith being the primary means of understanding divine truths. According to Calvin, faith is not merely an intellectual assent but a firm and certain knowledge of God's benevolence towards us, founded on the truth of the divine promise [3]. This understanding of faith is rooted in biblical teachings, such as Paul's writings, where faith is described as the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13) [1].
In Reformed thought, reason plays a subordinate role to faith. While reason can lead individuals to a certain level of understanding about God, it is faith that enables a deeper, spiritual comprehension of divine truths. Calvin notes that knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and sometimes faith is spoken of as equivalent to knowledge (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3) [1]. However, faith includes assent, which is an act of the will, distinguishing it from mere intellectual knowledge.
The relationship between reason and faith is not one of opposition but of complementarity. Reformed theology holds that faith is not contrary to reason, but rather, it transcends the limitations of human reason. For instance, the doctrine of the resurrection is not considered incredible or contrary to reason (1 Cor. 15:35-49) [2]. Instead, faith provides a framework for understanding the world and God's actions within it, which may not be fully comprehensible through reason alone.
Reformed theologians like Calvin have used reason to articulate and defend the Christian faith, engaging with philosophical and theological issues of their time. However, the ultimate authority in matters of faith is Scripture, not human reason. The Westminster Confession, a key Reformed document, asserts that "the authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, doth not depend upon the testimony of any man or Church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof" [not directly cited, but reflects Reformed thought].
one commentary tradition on 1 Thessalonians highlights the "work of faith" as a manifestation of faith's reality, indicating that faith is not passive but active, influencing one's life and actions (1 Thess. 1:3) [4]. This understanding underscores the Reformed emphasis on the practical outworking of faith.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection, The — A doctrine of the Old Testament -- Job 19:26; Ps 16:10; 49:15; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2; Ho 13:14. A first principle of the gospel -- 1Co 15:13,14; Heb 6:1,2. Expected by the Jews -- Joh 11:24; Heb 11:35. Denied by the Sadducees -- Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27; Ac 23:8. Explained away by false teachers -- 2Ti 2:18. Called in question by some in the church -- 1Co 15:12. Is not incredible -- Mr 12:24; Ac 26:8. Is not contrary to reason -- Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:35-49. Assumed and proved by our Lord -- Mt 22:29-32; Lu 14:14; Joh 5:28,29. Preached by the Apostles -- Ac 4:”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.2: 64:7 66:24 Jeremiah 4:31 5:8 5:28 7:4 7:4 9:1 10:23 10:24 10:24 11:21 17:1 17:5 18:16 19:6 19:8 22:24 22:28 25:9 25:13 25:18 28:10 28:11 30:11 31:15 43:2 48:2 50:11 Lamentations 1:7 2:5 2:8 3:29 Ezekiel 15:3 16:26 20:11 20:24 20:25 26:2 26:14 37:1 43:15 43:15 47:11 Daniel 5:28 5:30 5:31 7:10 7:17 8:20 Hosea 1:7 6:4 8:14 9:6 13:3 Joel 1:13 2:13 2:23 2:28 Amos 1:3 3:6 4:1 4:1 5:10 5:19 8:11 Micah 1:3 1:11 2:11 7:9 7:16 Nahum 3:8 Habakkuk 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:2 3:2 3:2 3:13 Zechariah 9:14 13:4 14:3 Malachi 1:4 1:11 4:2 Matthew 2:14 3:12 3:12 3:12 3:12 ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”