Man's response to God

Man's response to God

1. Adequate Response of Faith= Act of Faith=Fides qua (DV5)=Subjective Faith

   • Not Deposit of Faith or Revelation
     • Not Fides Quae
       • Not Dogmas or Articles of Faith (Creed)
         • Not objective faith
   • CCC143/cfDV5; man completely submits his intellect and will to God
   • With his whole being man gives assent to God = "obedience of faith" (cf. Rom.1:5;16:26
   • Faith is a personal event - something happens between two personal beings
   • God automcommunicates himself to man. He becomes found
   • ACT OF FAITH
     • whole man
       • interior conviction n risk
     • always accompanied with works
   • Not merely conceptual
     • Not abstract
       • Not sentiment
   • Faith in Synoptic Gospels
     • "Your faith has saved you" Mk5:34; 10:52
       • "Let it be done to you as you have believed" Mt.8:13
         • "Great is our faith: let it be done for you as you desire" Mt 15:28
           • "Jesus on seeing their faith..."Mk2:5
     • positive attitude before the person n mission of Jesus
     • an act of interior confidence in Jesus' power
     • With faith one enters into Jesus' community
     • Accepts the Kingdom that comes with Him
     • "Simon Peter responded: Lord to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life, and we have come to believe and know that you are the Holy one of God" Jn 6:68-69
   • Faith in Pauline Letters
     • "We believe in him who rose from the dead

2. Natural and Supernatural Knowledge

3. Abraham=Father in Faith (Rom.4)

   • "through faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called..."(Heb.11:8)
     • Hears Word of God
       • Typically faith begins in hearing. A did not see any vision
     • Perceives authority of God's voice
       • Becomes aware that voice belongs to God. Listens more attentively
     • Makes choice to obey
       • Despite not seeing n therefore still in obscurity, Abraham objeys
     • Sets out on the road
       • Despite not knowing what he will have to go through to arrive at the final goal