Since we’ve been talking about faith in the last little while

Kenneth Hynek • 15th May 2009 • Religion, Atheism, Religion, Catholicism, Religion, Christianity, Religion, Philosophy, Religion, Theology
faith, God, Job, John C. Wright, life, Religion

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…it seems only fitting to mention this excellent reflection by John C. Wright. Actually, his entire (long!) article is worth a read, although it’s the end that is really (I think) an exceptional description of faith, and of what faith really is (which is to say: how it is made manifest):

You cannot make the meaningless have ultimate and sacred meaning merely because you say so. Reality is not plastic. You do not have a magic ring, and even if you grit your teeth and are unafraid, you cannot change reality. Neverneverland is not an option.

Oddly enough, this is the exact same argument the agnostics and Nihilists use to dismiss Religion. The difference is, what they call my wishful thinking posits that I am recognizing a reality that exists outside myself, and that these properties are true whether I wish it or not. What I call their wishful thinking posits that no reality exists outside themselves, and their reality would wink out like a snuffed candle if they were run over by a streetcar. But if the word “reality” does not mean that which wishful thinking cannot change, then the word has no meaning.

To cleave to God is an act of faith, or, if you prefer, a gift of divine grace. It is like the sun, at which we cannot stare lest our eyes be dazzled: an inexplicable mystery. However, this mystery casts a light that shows all other things in sharp relief, so that all lesser mysteries are resolved. We know whence we come and where we are going. We know the meaning of life and why things are as they are and not some other way.

It may be a hard thing to accept. Let us not mince words: to believe God became Man and suffered and died for our sins and rose again drawing all men to Him is ridiculous, scandalous, and foolishness. And yet, if we accept this foolishness, everything else in life becomes not foolish at all, not absurd, not meaningless. Life makes sense, suffering can be endured, the grave not move us to terror, the poor and weak not move us to contempt. We will have something to say to Agent Smith, or to the Accuser who accused Job, if he demands of us to account for ourselves and our life: and what we say will be clear and piercing as a trumpet blast, as quiet and significant as a whispered promise from a lover, not some mere garble of postmodern nonsense, the caw of a proud and ugly crow. We will speak the truth because it is true, not because mere wishing makes it so.

God bless Catholic converts!