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The Thomistic Mind: Episode 04
Episode #4: The Church on Philosophy (Continued)
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the Catholic Church’s teaching on philosophy, beginning with a short review of Episode 3 and returning to Christ as the Divine Logos (John 1:1)—the eternal Word, Reason, and Wisdom of God. Because Christ is God’s own Reason made flesh, philosophy is shown to be not opposed to faith, but rooted in its very foundation.
The episode examines authoritative Church teaching from Vatican I, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Pope Leo XIII’s Aeterni Patris, which affirm that God can be known with certainty by the natural light of human reason. Dr. Reed explains how philosophy prepares the intellect for revelation by addressing moral relativism, materialism, and skepticism—worldviews that render the Gospel unintelligible.
Drawing on the conversion of St. Augustine, the lecture illustrates how philosophy “smooths and fortifies” the mind, enabling it to recognize truth, moral order, and the reality of a transcendent Creator. Philosophy is presented not as a threat to faith, but as its handmaid—clearing intellectual obstacles and leading reason toward God, who is not merely true, but Truth itself.
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By reedthomistEpisode #4: The Church on Philosophy (Continued)
In this episode of The Thomistic Mind, Dr. Jason Reed continues the Catholic Church’s teaching on philosophy, beginning with a short review of Episode 3 and returning to Christ as the Divine Logos (John 1:1)—the eternal Word, Reason, and Wisdom of God. Because Christ is God’s own Reason made flesh, philosophy is shown to be not opposed to faith, but rooted in its very foundation.
The episode examines authoritative Church teaching from Vatican I, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Pope Leo XIII’s Aeterni Patris, which affirm that God can be known with certainty by the natural light of human reason. Dr. Reed explains how philosophy prepares the intellect for revelation by addressing moral relativism, materialism, and skepticism—worldviews that render the Gospel unintelligible.
Drawing on the conversion of St. Augustine, the lecture illustrates how philosophy “smooths and fortifies” the mind, enabling it to recognize truth, moral order, and the reality of a transcendent Creator. Philosophy is presented not as a threat to faith, but as its handmaid—clearing intellectual obstacles and leading reason toward God, who is not merely true, but Truth itself.