Theology Essay Ch- 1

Cato 1 Almore Cato, II Professor Farmer Intro To Theology 9/16/13 The one and only truth Xavier's mission statement claims that the “ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society”. This is a tough task to tackle, as the majority of the public perception is based on the constantly changing fads of society. This wouldn't be an issue if the temporary was seen as just that. Society places too much emphasis on the temporary and not enough on the permanent. Gustavo states that in theology, it's points of reference are are only “'truths', which have been established once and for all-and not the Truth which is also the way-can only be only static and, in the long run, sterile.” Not demeaning temporary truths, he elegantly points out a real truth is unchanging and throughly reflected upon.This way of thinking is not only relevant in theology, but is significant to living by permanent truths. If humans are to advance towards a more just and humane society, there needs to be a reevaluation of ideas based on the permanent truth. Examining the role of theology throughout society, Gustavo divides it into two categories: wisdom and rational knowledge. Theology, as a wisdom, “stressed the existence of a higher world and the transcendence of an absolute from which everything came and to which everything returned”(6). This section of theology is geared towards a life of spiritual perfection, with a monastic and meditative approach. Around the twelfth century, the church begin adding the worldly perceptions to the mix. Theology was seen as rational knowledge, both faith and common sense. Gustavo says “the function of theology as rational knowledge is also permanent” (5), stressing the ideas brought up about temporary and permanent truths; theology as rational knowledge allows for a much more balanced and faithful life, than anything. It is important to note that using both faith and rational knowledge is essential to revealing the permanent truth because one's perception is at a higher consciousness. It helps to shed light on the core of life; what is really important to you. Cato 2 Gustavo names this chapter 'Theology as Critical reflection'. More specifically, he examines theology as a critical reflection on praxis. Praxis, in this context, is putting critical reflection into action; actually practice what you preach. The whole idea of critical reflection, itself, is to raise one's awareness on what there doing and how does it align to their core truths. It doesn’t, however, create action. Critical Reflection are just theories in the mind, and until actually put in practice, can not fully allow the person to gain a full understanding of the thing their reflecting upon. How can someone honestly and accurately reflect on something they don't fully experience? Gustavo places an enormous amount of significance on praxis, believing that it is the root to actually living critically. The church also began to see praxis as fundamental, and claiming charity foundation of praxis. Charity is not restricted to giving to a cause, it is love. Love is the “nourishment and fulfillment of faith, the gift of one's self to the other, and invariably to others”(6). Faith typically connotes the Church , however, if seen from a broad life perception, it can be seen as the “understanding not of the simple affirmation—almost memorization—of truths, but of a commitment, an over-all attitude, a particular posture toward life” (6). Everything seems to be leading back to praxis. Faith encourages action in truth, as does praxis. Contemplata aliis tradere. In english, it translates into “to transmit to others the fruit of contemplation”. Be charitable in your knowledge; by sharing your knowledge with others you are protruding love. Your knowledge is your experience, of your true self. Every man should have the right to this knowledge, in order to transcend their consciousness. Man is created in the image of God, whom is love. There should be unconditional love flowing through the world, but all men do not have an understanding of this love. By showing other people the gift of critical reflection, they can began to reflect upon this love. The next step, obviously, being “in actione conteemplativus”, which translates to contemplative in action. Going back to the definition of knowing: one can only know what they understand, and to understand, one must experience. Keeping this in mind action and reflection go hand Cato 3 in hand, in a cycle. It is important to have a balance between them; critically reflecting on what you are doing, but making sure you enact what you have reflected upon. Human action is “the point of departure for all reflection” (7). One can only reflect upon what you do. Gustavo's chapter focuses on redefining theology as concretely as possible. Although he relates everything back to theology, the significant principles are useful for anything. The idea of critical reflection on praxis creates a dynamic way of thinking, and rationalizing. It helps people conclude what is really important and true. In the terms of helping promote the Xavier mission statement, it is the beginning to creating a more just and humane society. It is crucial to critically reflect upon what one is doing, now, and how you are living your life, in order to help transcend and help others transcend; this is the start of reevaluating for the permanent truth.