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DavidCro
Guest
Can you guys recommend a Catholic author who discusses this topic and disapproves determinism?
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Wesrock
Guest
I do not know off the my head a Catholic book specifically devoted to the topic.
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Trojan_Horse
Guest
Reason, if I may attempt to define it, is the human ability to think and understand. So on the most basic level, when it comes to where you are in this, you are human.
Then with your own, personal level of reasoning, God grant you your ability to understand, use logic, and perform abstract thought in order to draw your own conclusions. Sometimes you can draw conclusions based on outside influences, or you can draw conclusions based on your own opinions; however, both of them end up with your own conclusion, based upon your own reasoning. If you like the reasoning of others, you are free to accept them. If you do not, you are free to reject them.
Your reason comes from what God has given you, which is a human brain.
And to answer your question about:
Further, the second half of your question:
So, you are still separate from the things that shape your reason, and you have the choice to follow whichever promptings you deem worthy of following.
Then with your own, personal level of reasoning, God grant you your ability to understand, use logic, and perform abstract thought in order to draw your own conclusions. Sometimes you can draw conclusions based on outside influences, or you can draw conclusions based on your own opinions; however, both of them end up with your own conclusion, based upon your own reasoning. If you like the reasoning of others, you are free to accept them. If you do not, you are free to reject them.
Your reason comes from what God has given you, which is a human brain.
And to answer your question about:
It is still your choosing. Reason is given by God, and truth comes from God, but the truths we reason have been universally revealed to us, so we can reason through them with or without acknowledging God (i.e. Scientists are brilliant at reasoning, but many deny God’s existence.)
Further, the second half of your question:
It is very true that our hearts, as St. Augustine said, “are restless until they rest in You [God].” We have an innate desire to pray, because we have a desire to speak with our Father. However, this does not remove our free will, for we can still reject this restlessness by ignoring it, covering it with sins, or filling it with the things of this world. God will allow you to do this, because He will not force you to love Him, because He gave you free will. And if you reject Him, you still retain your ability to reason, as shown by many, many brilliant atheists and people of other faiths.
So, you are still separate from the things that shape your reason, and you have the choice to follow whichever promptings you deem worthy of following.
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DavidCro
Guest
This is a very good explanation, the best that satisfies my doubts. I cannot thank you enough for this. In the end, it was a good decision to post my question here.
Also, thank you @Wesrock, @Arkansan and @Kei for helping me to sort this out. Your answers are appreciated.
God bless you all!
Also, thank you @Wesrock, @Arkansan and @Kei for helping me to sort this out. Your answers are appreciated.
God bless you all!
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Trojan_Horse
Guest
God bless you my friend. I shall keep you in my prayers.
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