In his ruminations on metaphysics (the philosophical and religious questions of being, knowledge and existence), the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) argued that there are entities or realities—such as human freedom, God, and the immortality of the soul—that cannot be recognized by theoretical reason, which seeks the truth. Instead, these must be reflected upon with the capacities of practical reason, and without this connection, moral philosophy and practical hope would become impossible (I. Kant, Kritik der reinen Vernunft (AA 3), Berlin 1968, 525ff). Even though Kant’s critique of metaphysics had an adverse effect on Christian faith and the view of the human subject in relation to how we conceive God’s presence and activity in the created order, he emphasized the importance of critical reasoning in dealing with faith, morality, knowledge, and practical life.
This is so given that, according to him, the discourse about Being – God and existence— when trapped within theoretical formulations and on truth claims, fails to offer the human person the guidance for a critical engagement with his/her existence and the capacities for interpreting this existence. Kant’s formulations in relation to faith, God and human existence has its strengths and weaknesses. Nevertheless, the question of the place of critical reason, both in view of ethical life and pursuit of happiness, has come to be highly appreciated.
The Wisdom That Comes from God
The Christian faith is not merely a religion of formulations about Being and truth claims. Christianity is a religion of revelation, faith, and reason. The difference perhaps is that in Christianity we use the word wisdom more often than reason. Wisdom is an integrated reasoning that is not merely critical and subjective, rather it admits also of the guidance of God, the conscience, creation, human beings, and grace.
The Bible is replete with emphasis on Wisdom. The Old Testament has a whole book dedicated to Wisdom which deals with questions of ethics, faith, reason, judgement, intellect and all that concerns wisdom and human existence (I appreciate the depth of wisdom contained in this book and other similar books of the Bible). The New Testament offers believers Christ’s own wisdom in his teachings and practices. Wisdom is also depicted with the Holy Spirit in the letters of the New Testament. Hence, Christianity’s uniqueness lies, perhaps, on its emphasis on God as the source of wisdom and its conception of wisdom. In the Book of Wisdom, for instance, wisdom is described with its purity, intelligence, long-suffering, patience, gentleness, humility, and peacefulness.
Steadfast in the Life of Faith
These issues about faith and wisdom, both from the philosophical critical reason and the Wisdom of Christianity are mentioned in today’s readings (First reading, Phil 3,17-4,1, Gospel Lk 16, 1-8). The First reading introduces Paul speaking to the Philippians about being steadfast in the life of faith. The context of the letter points to a development in the pattern of life of some people in the neighborhood who live contrary to the pattern of the Gospel. Paul described their conducts as enemies of the cross of Christ: their Glory consists in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things; they find meaning in worldliness. Hence Paul asks the believers to maintain their focus: to stay in communion with God and God’s people. Indeed, it requires reason and wisdom to lead a meaningful life in the context where people chose to order their lives according to their own choices. Not only in the context of faith, but also in the secular world of success and motivation. These tell us to avoid people who do not share our ideologies and whose conduct could be detrimental to our set goals and aspirations (etc). The life of faith is also a goal we are striving towards and requires also earthly wisdom for perseverance.
Application of Wisdom
In the Gospel, the wisdom of the “insincere” steward was praised not because of the lies he told, but rather, because of his application of wisdom. Jesus’ words are remarkable: “The Children of this world are wiser than the children of light in dealing with the rigorous situations of our existence.” Why should Jesus praise an insincere act? I think there is much to this, and I invite you to reflect with me. The servant was about to be devested of his office as the steward of the master’s house. He thought over the situation carefully, especially on how to generate a livelihood after the expulsion. And, he came up with a solution on how to secure himself a place among the Master’s friends and on how to win their help and friendship. He summoned his Master’s debtors and gave them discounts on their debts so as to win their favour and sympathy. On learning of the chief servant’s action, the master was impressed with the wisdom and praised him for such wise act.
Teach Us the Wisdom of Life
Paul’s warning to Christians to beware of people who live contrary to a life of Wisdom as enemies of God resounds again in our existence today. The Christian faith requires us to embrace reason and rationality even as we navigate the contradictions of life. Jesus himself urges us to be wise in dealing with existence.
Vatican II in its document on Church’s dialogue with the World of today calls us to take note of the “signs of the times” (Gaudium et Spes nrs. 4/11). Believers are called to “obedience of faith,” but faith does not thrive in mere obedience. As hermeneutical beings, we are called to engage with situations, interpret them and seek out God’s will in them.
Sometimes Christians interpret obedience in a passive way and consequently, they do not engage courageously with the faith they have received. This passivity could be part of the reason for most of the problems of faith today.
The faith we have received is a critical faith and the life of faith is a critical life where we engage our faith critically with our existence. We are also called to challenge the faith formulations when they stay contrary to Wisdom (as the Bible has presented it to us) and to beware of situations that go contrary to faith and wisdom. This is the double task of faith and reason which every believer is called to embrace. Such is our call, especially in a world where many choose to live as enemies of Christ.
