On Faith and Science

I would bet that everyone is too scientific at times and too blindly faithful at others. Perhaps there are instances where people are both at the same time. It’s good to seek understanding and to try adding to our knowledge. However, we need to remember that the knowledge we do gain is uncertain.

When learning about persuasive writing, we learn about three important terms: logos, pathos and ethos. I would argue that ethos is merely a mixture between logos and pathos. I might even say that true ethos is that balance between science and faith, the pathos and logos. It’s being able to keep the heart and mind in agreement so both can be followed. Sometimes our ignorant minds try to lead us away from truths that clearly enlighten our hearts. Other times, our capricious hearts attempt to push into paths that we know with complete certainty will darken our minds.

I’m afraid that in this life we will never get where we need to be if we are too dedicated to one or the other, to the spirit or to the body. It is the soul that we must follow, the congruent union between body and spirit. Until our passions are completely tame and we are entirely consumed in the Charity of Christ, we can never completely trust our hearts. Until our minds have been enlightened by every wit of truth even to the last datum, we cannot entirely believe our minds.

And so we err, some being too critical while others are too capricious. And, some both. Until we all come to the unity of the faith, may we listen to each other and forgive one another our faults. Though we fight passionately to defend the truths that in our own minds are so logical, may we act wisely so that we do not unwittingly hurt those we love.