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| The Ancient of Days, William Blake, 1794 |
Bible Reading – 1 Corinthians 2.6-16
Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,
‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared
for those who love him’—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.
Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.
‘For who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?’
But we have the mind of Christ.
Reflection
Paul’s letter to Christians in the cosmopolitan city of Corinth is thought, in part, to be a response to issues that were developing in the fledgling church which he founded in around 50 or 51AD. In seeking to understand Paul’s letter, scholars have sought to discern from his response what those issues might be. The letter makes a clear reference to divisions in the church. It is possible that these splits were occurring due to the strength of different personalities that had emerged since Paul had left. While Paul makes reference to the church being made up of lowly people, there is evidence that the community was mixed and included members of high social standing who may also have been highly educated. Had they developed - and begun preaching – their own, independent ideas about the Christian faith?
In the passage we have just read, perhaps Paul is addressing this issue in particular – reminding the Corinthian church, using quotes from the prophet Isaiah, that it is not possible for us to know the unknowable God by applying worldly wisdom, no matter how clever we are. Understanding does not lead to faith – but faith – being open to the gift of the Spirit – leads to ultimate understanding; the ability to ‘discern all things’ to the point at which further scrutiny is no longer necessary. In short, the Corinthians needed to listen less to the worldly wisdom being preached by a few and spend more time being faithful to The One.
Today the church remembers one of the most influential minds of the medieval world. St Thomas Aquinas was born in Italy in 1225 at the height of a period when philosophers and theologians were applying powers of reasoning to the truths of faith. A Dominican friar, philosopher and theologian, his writings drew not only on the re-discovered writing of the Greek philosophers but also on Jewish and Muslim texts – at a time when many of his contemporaries were taking part in the Crusades.
His greatest, unfinished work, the Summa Theologica, was intended as an introductory guide for students and seeks to present the teachings of the church in a rational way. It begins with addressing the question: ‘Is There A God?’ using what Thomas calls ‘The Five Ways’ (and some have called the five ‘proofs’). Thomas drew on the scientific understanding of the day (which was then still based on the writings of Aristotle) to help frame an answer to the question of the existence of God. Summing up the writing of such a learned theologian in a few seconds is a tall order – but reading Thomas’s writings, in the fashionable metaphysical language of the time, is perhaps even harder. Thankfully Karen Armstrong, in her book ‘A Case for God,’ provides us with a precis! Thomas begins his Five Ways by explaining that because every change we see in the world around us is caused by something else, there must be an ultimate, irreducible First Cause. This first cause must contain the potential for all other possible causes; and because some things are better than others, this first cause must be the ultimate perfection; this perfection consciously guides and directs everything it has created to its ‘proper end’. Just as the flight of an arrow needs an archer, he concludes that this First Cause, the ultimate source of the perfect, true reality, hidden beneath the appearances of the material world of time and space – is a consciousness; a mind or spirit ‘that we call God.’
His greatest, unfinished work, the Summa Theologica, was intended as an introductory guide for students and seeks to present the teachings of the church in a rational way. It begins with addressing the question: ‘Is There A God?’ using what Thomas calls ‘The Five Ways’ (and some have called the five ‘proofs’). Thomas drew on the scientific understanding of the day (which was then still based on the writings of Aristotle) to help frame an answer to the question of the existence of God. Summing up the writing of such a learned theologian in a few seconds is a tall order – but reading Thomas’s writings, in the fashionable metaphysical language of the time, is perhaps even harder. Thankfully Karen Armstrong, in her book ‘A Case for God,’ provides us with a precis! Thomas begins his Five Ways by explaining that because every change we see in the world around us is caused by something else, there must be an ultimate, irreducible First Cause. This first cause must contain the potential for all other possible causes; and because some things are better than others, this first cause must be the ultimate perfection; this perfection consciously guides and directs everything it has created to its ‘proper end’. Just as the flight of an arrow needs an archer, he concludes that this First Cause, the ultimate source of the perfect, true reality, hidden beneath the appearances of the material world of time and space – is a consciousness; a mind or spirit ‘that we call God.’
Thomas applied reasoning and logic to matters of faith. He drew on the scientific understanding of his day to help explain the world around him and used this to infer something about the nature of God, the creator. But perhaps most importantly - underpinning all of Thomas’s writing is an acceptance of the limitation of words and concepts. Ultimately, the purpose of any ‘proof’ of God’s existence he said, must show that God – the ultimate consciousness - is unknowable.
If we are not open to such a possibility – if we consider that the existence of God is a question solely of science (of human wisdom) then we will find no proof of God’s existence to be acceptable. Perhaps this is what St Paul means when he says that “those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s spirit, for they are foolish to them….they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually.”
Responding to Richard Dawkins, Professor Keith Ward explains that consciousness cannot be explained scientifically, using worldly wisdom alone. A scan can reveal electro-chemical interactions in our brains but we can’t explain our dreams or desires in a material or physical sense; yet these desires undoubtedly affect the way things happen as they do. “The existence of a conscious mind [he says] introduces a non-scientific explanation for the way things happen – the personal explanation.” Perhaps being open to this personal explanation means being open to the spirit that St Paul describes – the spirit that enables us truly to discern ‘all things’.
The ultimate personal explanation for the mystery of God can be found, as St Paul concludes, in the person of Christ – and it is to him we should turn, in faith, to find the answers we seek; especially when we can’t even seem to put our questions into words.
Meditation
In a moment of silence before we pray, perhaps we might ask ourselves whether we are like the Corinthians – seemingly content to put our trust in human wisdom and material explanations; or are we, like St Thomas Aquinas, open to the power of the spirit to fuel a life of ‘faith in search of understanding’?
Prayers
In our prayers the response to : Lord, you are the source of all knowledge is : May your light penetrate the darkness of our understanding.
Lord you are the source of all knowledge,
Meditation
In a moment of silence before we pray, perhaps we might ask ourselves whether we are like the Corinthians – seemingly content to put our trust in human wisdom and material explanations; or are we, like St Thomas Aquinas, open to the power of the spirit to fuel a life of ‘faith in search of understanding’?
Prayers
In our prayers the response to : Lord, you are the source of all knowledge is : May your light penetrate the darkness of our understanding.
Lord you are the source of all knowledge,
May your light penetrate the darkness of our understanding.
A Prayer written by St Thomas Aquinas, patron saint of scholars:
A Prayer written by St Thomas Aquinas, patron saint of scholars:
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.
Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.
Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion.
Lord you are the source of all knowledge,
May your light penetrate the darkness of our understanding.
Lord, we give thanks for scholars and theologians whose faith enriches their writings and whose writings enliven our faith.
May the power of the Spirit fuel us with confidence to ask questions and explore our understanding.
Let us not be fearful of testing ourselves.
May the power of the Spirit fuel us with confidence to ask questions and explore our understanding.
Let us not be fearful of testing ourselves.
Lord you are the source of all knowledge,
May your light penetrate the darkness of our understanding.
Lord, hold us closely when we question our faith.
When we become constrained by material explanations and worldly wisdom, free us with your Spirit of truth.
When we become constrained by material explanations and worldly wisdom, free us with your Spirit of truth.
When we feel overwhelmed by questions we cannot begin to ask, let alone answer, help us to find amidst your divine mystery the person of Christ.
Lord you are the source of all knowledge,
May your light penetrate the darkness of our understanding.
Blessing
Grant us, O Lord,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen
Thank you for joining us for Start:Stop. Continuing the theme of expanding horizons, our lunchtime concert at 1pm today explores works for solo glockenspiel. Sounds fascinating! I hope you have a wonderful week. This reflection will start again in a few minutes.
Grant us, O Lord,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen
Thank you for joining us for Start:Stop. Continuing the theme of expanding horizons, our lunchtime concert at 1pm today explores works for solo glockenspiel. Sounds fascinating! I hope you have a wonderful week. This reflection will start again in a few minutes.
Links
Thomas Aquinas – Summa Theologiae
A Case for God, Karen Armstrong
Why There Almost Certainly Is A God, Keith Ward
Thomas Aquinas – Summa Theologiae
A Case for God, Karen Armstrong
Why There Almost Certainly Is A God, Keith Ward
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