Theological Outlines • by • Francis J. Hall

« Ch.IV. Q.19. Theism | Main | Ch.IV. Q.21. A Priori and A Posteriori »

July 26, 2005

Ch.IV. Q.20. Moral Certainty

1. IN the nature of things, the existence of God cannot be demonstrated, for there is no prior premise, independently necessary, from which that conclusion can logically be deduced. We are, therefore, dependent upon moral proof in establishing the truth of Theism on rational grounds.1

2. Demonstration proceeds from necessary and universal, a priori, truths, and deduces particular conclusions which necessarily follow. Such proof is clearly out of question in Theism; for "the being of God is the primal truth. .... There is nothing before it nor apart from it, from which it is to be derived. ... In every mode of demonstration whose object is to arrive at it, it is assumed."2

3. Moreover, we cannot see God with our unaided faculties.3 In the absence of demonstration, therefore, we depend upon moral proof and supernatural revelation for our knowledge of Him, or verification of His existence.4

4. Moral proof, also called probable proof, proceeds from premises which are at least credible, and exhibits a preponderance of argument in favor of its conclusions.5 Probable proof is fitly called moral, because its persuasiveness depends upon moral conditions. It is rarely successful with the unwilling. Yet one becomes responsible, when in possession of moral proof, for every evil which results from evading its conclusions.6 God demands and puts us to the probation of a service which is free—such as free and rational creatures can give. The knowledge of His existence and nature is a primary part of that service and trial. Such knowledge, therefore, depends upon moral conditions within ourselves. No demonstration or revelation is given such as would compel us to believe or do away with effort on our part.7

5. The certainty which results from demonstration is called apodeictic or mathematical. The opposite of a demonstrated proposition is not only false but impossible to conceive.8 On the other hand, moral proof produces moral certainty. Its conclusions can be evaded, through moral perversity. Yet although the opposite of the morally certain is possible to conceive, it is, properly speaking, incredible.9 The difference between demonstrative and moral certainty is not so much one of degree as of the process through which it is attained. Real certainty, as such, admits of no degrees, and of no doubts. Moreover, the logic made use of is equally valid in both kinds of proof, the difference lying in our moral liability to miss the logical results of moral proof.10

6. Religious certainty, so far as connected with logic, is based upon moral proof. All the faculties of the soul are required for its proper acquirement :—the intellect, or logical faculty; the affections, or sympathetic and appreciative faculty; the will or attentive faculty, which also tests by moral experience. A refusal to exercise either faculty renders one accountable for error.11

Posted by Debra Bullock at July 26, 2005 06:22 PM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://disseminary.org/mt/mt-tb.cgi/461

Comments