Fundamental Theology

Notes on Fundamental Theology

Two ways of knowing:

1 - Cause and Effect

2 - Revelation

a) Order of Nature (Creation)

b) God’s words and deeds in history (Order of Grace - Supernatural Order)

Philosophy includes “Natural Theology” (Nat Theo)

Revelation involves personal disclosure

Nat Theo is based on reason

Sacred Theology is based on God’s Revelation

Fundl Theo sits in between, reflects on God’s Revelation using Reason

In the beginning: Phi - Scie - Theo were one subject

Unlike the Greeks, the Jews had Revelation

The Jews consider themselves

CCC 50-73:

End goal of Revelation is Man’s sharing in God’s life (CCC 50-52)
Fullness of Revelation is Christ, the Word of God (CCC 65), nothing after Christ can add to this Revelation, including private revelation
Romans 10:13 must be understood in context (Rom 10:14-17).
Garrigou-Lagrange: Three Ways of the Spiritual Life
Hebrews 1:1-3: God, the

Distinctive Features Regarding Divine Revelation of God

Non-material object
Infinite object, cannot be contained, cannot be measured
Personal and trustworthy “object” who disclosed Himself voluntarily and has established a relationship of trust

Distinctive Advantages Regarding Divine Revelation of God

Vatican I - Dei Filius (The Son of God)

More authoritative than Vatican II
Canons (pp. 10-17)
Church document regarding Revelation
Paragraphs 5-7: critique of private judgement with no unifying authority, leading to dissolution
Chapter 3: we are obligued to yield to God full submission of intellect and will by faith; we believe Revelation because of the

Recognizing Divine Revelation

Moral Certitude (if before the gift of faith):

Miracles (effects that nature cannot account for must be caused by something external to nature)
Sometimes, dreams can point to DR
Providential outcomes
The Word (exterior or interior) (eg, Samuel anoints David - exterior, Abraham and prophets - interior

With faith, our