Last two chapters of Quotes from Toward a Meaningful Life on faith and reason AMAZING STUFF
By zevi770 · January 15, 2012
Chapter 3 How Do We Reconcile Faith and Reason?
Practice and Theory
Uniting Faith and Reason
Although some people continue to see faith and reason as adversaries, the truth is that reason leads to faith and faith leads to reason.
Using reason, we can contemplate the wonders of G-d’s creation and begin to recognize the breadth of His Infinite powers.
But reason also leads us to understand the limit of human knowledge and how much is beyond our scope.
As the sages write, “The ultimate knowledge is knowing that you can’t know G-d.” Such a realization, such a declaration of trust and humility, brings one to the threshold of true faith, for faith is the tool we use to reach the truth that is beyond what we already know.
So it is reason, ultimately, that helps lead us to faith.
And faith leads to reason, because faith in G-d impels us to use our reason, every ounce of the intellect and logic G-d gave us, to internalize and integrate our faith.
G-d expressly told us that He wants us to Know him – to perceive him with our mind and its finite tools of logic, to embark on a lifelong quest in which we expand the scope of our reason, learning both to fulfill its power and to recognize its limitations.
So faith and reason are a powerful dynamic.
We recognize that faith is no mere crutch for the ignorant; it can take us to a place that even the most accomplished mind cannot approach.
To be sure, there are two types of faith – the blind, immature faith of a child, who must be guided by others, and the mature faith of someone who has traveled far with his or her mind and heart, finally reaching a threshold that can be only crossed with a leap of faith.
Chapter 4 How can we have faith in our generation?
Practice and Theory
Cultivating Faith
At the end of the day, only you know how sincerely you are searching for the truth.
You have only yourself – and G-d – to answer to.
If you are genuinely searching, then you have already begun your relationship with G-d.
As with all dynamic relationships, this search is a process.
We begin from the limited perspective of our own existence, climbing upward step by step until we come to understand that G-d is the absolute reality of which we are an extension – and not vice versa.
For some, the first step might be to discover whether you are indeed ready to listen and grow, whether you are willing to accept the responsibility of faith.
The next step is dealing with your doubts concerning G-d’s existence.
You must attempt to unite your faith and reason, for only your reason can truly recognize the limitations of the mind and its role in the process of searching for G-d.
Then we must allow our inner, sublime tools to speak.
We know there is a G-d just as we know that we have a soul – not because we can see or touch it, but because we can feel it.
Similarly we feel elevated when we have G-d in our lives. We feel purpose and direction; we feel there is meaning in everything we do.
This entire process needs fuel – knowledge about G-d and ourselves.
We must study the Bible, G-d’s blueprint for creation.
We must learn to actualize our faith through charity and good deeds.
Through our virtue and generosity we strengthen the connection between our material reality and the absolute reality that is G-d.
Above all, we must look anew at the tools we are using to try to reveal sanctity in our lives.
We simply cannot limit ourselves to conventional sensory means to relate to something that is supersensory.
Practice and Theory
Searching for G-d in these times can appear to be especially difficult, for many people today are unfamiliar with faith – what it is and how to cultivate it.
Born into a time when material priorities have displaced the spiritual, many know little about G-d and what G-d wants of us.
People have free time on their hands and often don’t know how to fill it meaningfully.
It seems very difficult to find where to turn for direction, since everybody – from parents to educators to politicians – appear to be equally uniformed.
And yet people everywhere continue to search for meaning, searching for G-d.
This is a tribute to the deepest faith of all.
We must recognize that there are two kinds of darkness.
One is when we realize it is dark, and yearn to see; the other when the darkness has been so intense and so long-lived that we have resigned ourselves to it.
The first step in escaping the darkness is acknowledging it; only then can you begin to reach out for the light.
In this climate of spiritual darkness, we have all the ability and responsibility to let our faith shine forth and then integrate it into our daily lives.
Talk about your faith with family and friends.
Cultivate it through study and prayer.
Actualize it through good deeds.
For a moment, stop what you are doing. Let your mind be still, and allow yourself to hear the small still voice of G-d.
When you set yourself free, you will realize that your faith is much closer to the surface than you had imagined.
Remember: Regardless of anything else, G-d’s absolute reality exists.
The only question is, how you will respond, how true to yourself you will be in searching for it.
G-d is waiting for you.