THEOLOGY

Theology is often defined as Fides quaerens intellectum, or Faith seeking understanding, which represents the thinking of the mediaeval philosopher Anselm (c. 1033-1109). More specifically, Anselm coined the phrase Credo ut intellegam, or I believe that I might understand. It is significant that he did not say Intellego ut credam, or I understand that I might believe. For a Christian Faith is prior to Understanding. These expressions have been selected as mottos for our website.

Three topics of theology are examined here, and I expect to add more in the future. The first, Faith and Belief, and the second, Trinity were pondered over during the formative years of my life, and early versions of these chapters were written many decades ago. Faith and Belief was an attempt to understand the nature of my Faith, and the rationale for how and what I believe. That is why it is written in the context of the treatise of Adolphe Tanquery, which was the standard seminary text during the first half of the twentieth century.

The chapter Trinity was the result of my posing the question “Is there structure in God?.“ This is analogous to the questions that have motivated the quests of scientists down through the ages: “Is there structure in the cosmos?,” “Is there structure in the cells of the body?,” or “Is there structure in the atom?.” The answer has always been yes, so why not yes for the answer to the question “Is there structure in God?.” Only Christianity has an affirmative answer, and a detailed response. These two chapters are written in a rather abstruse style, and I hope that the reader will forgive me for this.

The third Chapter on Theology is entitled Mariology, which the dictionary defines as the body of belief, doctrine, and opinion concerning the Virgin Mary. My personal spiritual life has always been centered around devotion to Jesus, and many Catholics supplement this with a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary and particular Saints. This chapter is an attempt to comprehend the nature and theological underpinnings of this fascination which so many Catholics have for the Virgin Mary.