John Henry Newman on faith and reason

Abstract

The author explains how, in contrast with the risk “of the twin reduction of faith to a mere emotive principle and reason to a mechanical exercise”, Newman seeks to re-define and widen the concepts of reason and philosophy, so that, free from rationalism, philosophy and reason can again give sense to one’s lived experience. A reason so widened by the “experience of life” and by a living heart will be much more able to welcome a faith which is given to it not as a right, or as syllogism, or as a burden, but as gift of love. Thus, faith is no longer seen as something irrational, distant, accidental, as if it were a simple “private preference”. Instead, it becomes a very reasonable and warm impulse that changes man’s perspective over his existence and his Christian commitment, and transfigures him towards a life of holiness.