Sometimes observations from philosophers just crack me up. Take, for instance, Thomas Aquinas. He was a medieval Roman Catholic philosopher and theologian, and was so adept at explaining Catholic theology that he was later called The Angelic Doctor.
Aquinas is perhaps most famous for his Five Ways, which is a discussion of the existence of God. In it he lists five different indicators that God exists. They are not proofs per se, but arguments or lines of thought that lead to the idea of God in general.
He begins his article by discussing two arguments against God. The first con argument is the argument from evil—if God is all good, then why is there evil? The second is an Ockham’s Razor argument—if we can sufficiently explain the universe in terms of space and time, plus matter and energy, plus chance, then why do we need to add God to the mix? He would be a redundant factor.
Aquinas’s response, his introductory rebuttal, is a mixture of wit and wisdom:
“On the contrary, it is said in the person of God: “I am Who I am.” (Exodus 3:14) (Summa Theologica I.2.3)
In case you did not get the joke, philosopher Peter Kreeft explained:
“Note the irony and humor here: [for in Aquinas’s methodology] the “on the contrary” is usually an argument from authority; so what authority does St. Thomas appeal to on the question of whether God exists? God Himself! God cuts though our discussion about Him in the third person and announces, in the first person, “I am here!” (Kreeft, A Shorter Summa, 54-55 n.)
Aquinas understood that this title was also a testimony: God’s name is I AM because HE IS. He reminds us of the key fact of His existence every time He introduces Himself. After all, if God does not exist, then everything else in theology and religion does not matter. It would merely be intellectual daydreaming.
But as brilliant as Aquinas’s insight is, it does not go far enough. Aquinas was merely a philosopher. He lived in the 1200s, and worked within the context of a medieval setting and the Great Apostasy, and he had the Bible. But his was a second-hand understanding of the nature of God.
On the other hand, Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of the Mormon Church, had a first-hand testimony. Over his life he had many visions of and visitations from Jesus Christ:
The First Vision, 1820:
“I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (JS-History 1:17)
The Vision of the Degrees of Glory, 1832:
“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.” (D&C 76:22-24)
The Kirtland Temple, 1836:
“The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened. We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:”
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father. Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.” (D&C 110:1-5)
In the last two visitations, Joseph Smith had another person with him (Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery respectively). He thus complied with the ancient law of witnesses:
“At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15)
Keep in mind that second-hand knowledge sometimes is helpful. I trust my doctor, my mechanic, and the Geek Squad computer repairer to know things that I do no not. This is all proper, because we can get into heaven without understanding quantum chromodynamics or knowing the average rainfall in the Amazon basin. Some things are ultimately not important.
What is important, however, is having a correct idea about God. We need to know that He exists, that He loves us, and that He sent His Son to atone for our sins. And this type of spiritual understanding can be kenned by anyone.
When we start out, we always rely on others to help us through. It is perfectly appropriate for children or gospel greenhorns to lean on other people’s testimonies. One of Joseph Smith’s revelations teaches that this type of temporary “dependent faith” is actually a gift from God:
“To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.” (D&C 46:13-14)
But as we grow up, we grow into our own testimonies and stand on our own two feet, spiritually speaking.
Take Joseph Smith for instance. He began by relying upon the testimony of the apostle James, as recorded in the Bible and the faith of his father. But Joseph Smith also understood that even though a second-hand testimony can be good for beginners, it was not enough. More is needed.
He expressed his belief this way:
“Could we read and comprehend all that has been written from the days of Adam, on the relation of man to God and angels in a future state, we should know very little about it. Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the ordinances of God set forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.” (“Chapter 36: Receiving the Ordinances and Blessings of the Temple,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, [2007], 412–22.)
Mormonism is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is also the gospel of growth. Our testimonies of God grow as we comply with truth and conform to His character. Over time, we “may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15). And this whole process begins with knowing the Great I AM, the God who really exists.
By the way, here are Aquinas’s responses to those two arguments against God. Take them for what they are worth.
As to evil, he said it existed to produce a better over-all good. As to the Ockham’s Razor argument, he said that there was teleology in nature. This means that things work towards an intelligent direction. The only way you could have things work towards a purpose was by including God in the explanation.
Aquinas then goes on to explain his Five Ways, which are five variations of the Cosmological Argument, or the observed order in the universe. This organization in the universe implies an intelligent organizer, who is God.
These ideas, of course, are not sufficient for faith unto life and salvation. But they do help clear the field. C. S. Lewis said “Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.” (Weight of Glory, 58). We might add that even though good philosophy is not enough, it does have a proper place in revealed religion.
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