Augustine vs. "God of the Gaps"

[prodigalson2011]

I don’t expect this will spark much discussion, but I just thought I’d share this. I came upon it as I was perusing Aquinas’ Summa, in a section discussing the manner by which rain is held in the sky. So the next time someone tells you that earlier civilizations only believed in God because they didn’t have scientific explanations for natural phenomena, or conversely that the comprehension of scientific principles makes God irrelevant, just share this little tidbit from a man who lived 1500 years ago:

…Some have attempted to solve this difficulty by supposing that in spite of the natural gravity of water, it is kept in its place above the firmament by the Divine power. Augustine (Gen. ad lit. ii, 1), however will not admit this solution, but says "It is our business here to inquire how God has constituted the natures of His creatures, not how far it may have pleased Him to work on them by way of miracle."

 

[Anselm33]

I don’t expect this will spark much discussion, but I just thought I’d share this. I came upon it as I was perusing Aquinas’ Summa, in a section discussing the manner by which rain is held in the sky. So the next time someone tells you that earlier civilizations only believed in God because they didn’t have scientific explanations for natural phenomena, or conversely that the comprehension of scientific principles makes God irrelevant, just share this little tidbit from a man who lived 1500 years ago:

:thumbsup:Great!!!Thank you!
And here’s another one from the great sage, that I’ve used to guide my own intellectual endeavors:

“It is also necessary—may God grant it!—that in providing others with books to read I myself should make progress, and that in trying to answer their questions I myself should find what I am seeking.

Therefore at the command of God our Lord and with his help, I have undertaken not so much to discourse with authority on matters known to me as to know them better by discoursing devoutly of them.”

St. Augustine of Hippo, The Trinity I,8.