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(Page 150) What do we believe? What motive is strong enough to make us put the evidence of sense and experience in the second place, and feel the firmest certainty about things which we cannot fully comprehend? Faith differs from ordinary knowledge; it rests not on the word of man or our own faculties, but on infinite wisdom which cannot be mistaken, and perfect veracity which cannot deceive us. The integrity of Faith requires a supernatural motive as well as a supernatural object; we need to believe not only what God has revealed, but because He has revealed it. To believe divine truths simply because they please us, or because of human authority, or because they are beautiful or noble or useful, is not divine Faith. The whole structure must be supernatural; and each part must be in harmony with all the others, and with the higher order to which we are to be raised. No motive could be higher and more forcible than the motive on which God has established our faith. We have evidence that He has spoken, we are strengthened to believe His word, and then our conviction of the truths so conveyed to us is absolutely firm and secure; the invisible becomes more real to us than the visible, our interests center more in heaven than on earth, we live in familiar intercourse with God and the blessed spirits, and we pass our lives on a higher plane that is incomprehensible to those who have not the faith. Strengthen your belief in the supernatural more and more by remembering that God has spoken.
II. The wisdom and the veracity of God are embodied for us in His spoken and written word, in His revelation of divine truths through Scripture and the Church. The method which God has chosen as the vehicle for the objects of our faith should command our most profound and humble assent. He has not elected to speak to each one face to face and make a direct revelation, but He has chosen two definite organs for His messages, and when they speak, each (Page 151) according to its character, we recognize the voice of God. Hence the Apostle commends the faith and obedience of his converts; "because that when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is indeed) the word of God, who worketh in you that have believed" (1 Thess. ii. 13). According to the general dispositions of His Providence, God makes use of human instruments to carry out His purposes. Some He has inspired to write, others He has commanded to preach, to lay down the laws of Faith, to guide His followers. In each case He has given us assurance that they speak in His name, with His full authority, and that their words are His infallible words of salvation. Venerate the high dignity of Scripture and the Church. Thank God for the certitude you have in following them, and the saving graces they communicate to you.
III. The voice of God speaks variously to men. Apart from the natural manifestation of God through the world and the creatures that surround us, the revelation of supernatural truths is made in many different ways. To some few God has spoken directly by word of mouth, as to Adam, Abraham, Moses, Solomon. Others He has instructed by figurative visions, such as Moses, Ezechiel, St. John. To many He has sent His angels, as to Abraham, Joshua, Daniel, the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. Often He has put His words into the mouth of special human messengers, such as the Prophets and Apostles. The ordinary guidance of the faithful, however, has been committed to a permanent organization representing God on earth, and for this purpose He poured forth His spirit in abundance on the Synagogue of the Old Testament and on the present Christian Church. Above all there has been the manifestation of God in His Only Son Jesus Christ, who has confirmed all the rest of divine revelation. Rely on Him. In the last resort He is the corner-stone, and support, and assurance of our Faith.
Meditations on Christian Dogma,
Right Rev. James Bellord, D. D.,
The Newman Press, 1961
