Read it from the Original.
Start at the Beginning.
I. The object of our belief is the body of truths revealed by God. In the main they are things that are outside the natural sphere and unattainable by our ordinary powers. Things that belong to the order of nature may, however, be made known to us by revelation on account of their having some bearing on supernatural truths; but this is quite exceptional. The living Wisdom of God when walking on this earth made no revelation concerning even the most important of natural truths, science, history, economics, industry, art. Of such subjects it is written: "He hath delivered the world to their disputation." "This painful occupation hath God given to the children of men to be exercised therein" (Eccle. iii. 11, i. 13). The primary object of revelation, subserved by all other things, is God Himself, His greatness, His goodness, the ways of His Providence; and secondarily, the mysteries which flow from Him, the Incarnation, the future life, the fall, the Church, the Sacraments, the divine law. These are the most important objects of human knowledge, the most influential on human life, the most satisfying. St. Augustine truly says that he who knows divine truths, though he may know nought else, knows all things; and he who knows all things else and knows not these, knows nothing. Ask God to give you a deep insight into His divine mysteries and a perception of their harmony and beauty, with practical results in your spiritual life. Let them not degenerate into mere words and formulas.
II. The object of Faith is the whole of what God has revealed, no more and no less. The gift of God is adequate for its whole work, to help us to believe not only the great primary truths but all others down to the smallest. None are unimportant, not one can be dispensed with. Each truth of religion has its place and its function in the system. There is a necessary connection, intellectual and spiritual, of each with all the others. If one be rejected, the logical foundations of all the rest will in time prove to be under-
mined. If the individual mind shall deny or deliberately doubt one single article, the divine virtue of faith will be utterly destroyed. The veracity of God is committed to every point of His revelation, and that veracity is impugned by doubt as much as by denial, and equally by rejecting one word of His as by rejecting the whole body of revealed truth. Belief indeed may remain as to other articles, but it is a belief that has its foundation in our own private whims and not in God s authority; it is no longer universal, certain, divine faith. Here also is the word true: "Whosoever shall keep the whole law but offend in one point is become guilty of all" (Jas. ii. 10). Declare to God your firm adhesion to every jot and tittle of His revelation. In every difficulty raised by cavillers say: "To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life! " (John vi. 69).
III. While there is uniformity and identity in the object of our faith, there is also a continual evolution. Not that God reveals further mysteries, for His revelation is closed; but He shows us the same truths in a different and fuller light. The human mind develops a keener penetration and power of understanding. Investigations into nature discover new laws of God's action, which illustrate His workings in the spiritual sphere. Meditation brings out deeper meanings contained in those forms of words which at the same time manifest and shroud divine truths. Every age brings its own corroboration to the truth of revelation. Even heresy and infidelity have their uses as leading to a more minute examination and more definite setting forth of the objects of belief. Our religious knowledge is in a sense more extensive and deeper than that of the ages that have gone before; for our conceptions are less crude and material, and we can better disengage realities from the clothing of figures and metaphors. You are blessed in this; but take care that, while you progress in knowledge of divine mysteries, there be a corresponding evolution in the stability of your faith and in the holiness of your life.
Meditations on Christian Dogma,
Right Rev. James Bellord, D. D.,
The Newman Press, 1961
