An Essay on the Use and Abuse of Reason, In Matters of Religion
Overview
In An Essay on the Use and Abuse of Reason, In Matters of Religion, Witsius explains the controversy that surrounds reason and logic in religion. He clearly examines foundational issues, such as the definition of reason and how religion is used to determine truth and reality. This short treatise discusses the place of reason in religion and how believers relate to God and spiritual matters. Divided into 34 concise paragraphs, Witsius’ analysis uses Scripture and deductive reasoning to provide an understanding of the role of reason in the life of a believer.
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- Explanation of the controversy surrounding reason and logic in religion
- Translation from the original Latin
- Theological insights on the role of reason in religion
Top Highlights
“Faith here notes an assent given to some truth, not on account of the evidence of the thing,* but on account of the testimony of God; who, as he is the supreme truth, bears witness of himself.” (Page 5)
“Prejudices always remain against the things of God, which cannot be wholly put off by the force of reason.” (Page 9)
“God never makes known any thing to man by supernatural revelation, which is repugnant to self-evident truths, or any dictate of right reason; and thus far those axioms may avail, in some measure, as a rule, that nothing can be admitted as revealed by God which is contrary to the principles truly known by nature.” (Page 13)
“it is worthy of God to reveal those things concerning himself which exceed the comprehension of our minds.” (Page 17)
“if we believe only those things which are consentaneous to reason, we assent to the things” (Page 21)
Herman Witsius . . . was a masterful Dutch Reformed theologian, learned, wise, mighty in the Scriptures, practical . . . on paper he was calm, judicious, systematic.
A writer not only eminent for his great talents and particularly solid judgments, rich imagination, and elegance of composition, but for a deep, powerful, and evangelistic spirituality, and savor of godliness.
- Title: An Essay on the Use and Abuse of Reason, In Matters of Religion
- Author: Herman Witsius and George White
- Translator: John Carter
- Publisher: Crouse, Stevenson and Matchett
- Publication Date: 1795
- Pages: 31
Herman Witsius (1636–1708) was born in Holland. He became a pastor in 1656 and a professor of divinity in 1675. Fluent in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, he authored several theological books.
Reviews
1 rating
Faithlife User
1/25/2023
In this essay, Priestley examines the relationship between reason and religion and argues that the use of reason should be paramount when discussing matters of faith. He asserts that reason and faith can be harmoniously combined and that true knowledge of God can be achieved through the exercise of both. Priestley argues that faith should never be accepted as a substitute for reason, and that any religious doctrine which cannot be understood through the use of reason should be rejected. He further argues that faith should never be used as a way to avoid making decisions based on logic or evidence. He believes that religion should be studied with an open mind and that its truths should not be taken as dogmatic doctrine. He encourages readers to think critically, to ask questions, and to make their own decisions based on their own reason and understanding.
Joshua Daniel Simmons
4/18/2014
