I was looking at an Evangelical Protestant site that claims that the interpretation of Proverbs 3:5-6, 13:14, 14:15, 14:27 means that the antidote to self-deception is to listen to God through His Word, and to “mistrust one’s own capacity to reason”. Would this interpretation be in line with Catholic teaching?
Laudatur Iesus Christus.
As with all such questions, the answer is both “no” and “yes,” depending on the exact meaning of the question. But if one were pressed to make a “sound bite” answer the answer would be: NO, it is not a Catholic position to doubt or discount reason.
Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth . . . (John Paul II, Fides et Ratio (1998), opening.)
This question of the role of reason in human affairs is at the center of many world crises and is the subject of Pope Benedict’s
Lecture at Regensburg (2006). The Catholic response is firmly to assert that reason (properly understood) has a definitive role to play in life and in religion. However, “reason” unduly narrowed or applied outside of its proper scope is disastrous.
There are two other points that might be useful to consider regarding the original post.
The notion of “one’s own capacity to reason” is important. Reason is not a personal thing. In many ways it is the basis of community and of shared understanding. Therefore, it would be imprudent to place undue weight on one’s personal reasoning, especially if this takes the form of denying all shared understandings. This is one reason the Church must be concerned with the precise meanings in language. One of her fundamental functions is to make “disciples” or “students” of all men. This process of sharing truth with those who do not yet know it is inherently rational. Without reason, meaningful communication is impossible.
It is a commonplace that reasonable people can disagree; however, the more cogent insight is that only reasonable people, given enough time, can agree. (I attribute this quotation to Dr. Mortimer J. Adler, however, I cannot find the citation and may be mistaken.)
Finally, it is hard to see how the verses cited in the original post could fairly have the interpretation suggested. The verses are:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs (RSV) 3:5-6.)
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. (Proverbs (RSV) 13:14.)
The simple believes everything, but the prudent looks where he is going. (Proverbs (RSV) 14:15.)
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. (Proverbs (RSV) 14:27.)
The first and the last recommend the Lord. The middle two recommend wisdom and prudence. Taken together this seems to call for reason which accepts the Lord’s assistance in knowing things which men cannot know unaided. This is the Church’s teaching in a nutshell. To simply “mistrust reason” would be to rob the middle two verses their effective meaning.
Spiritus Sapientiae nobiscum.
John Hiner
