Systematic Index

Revelation is not imperfect 1705, nor as such to be made perfect through progress 1636, 1639, 1656, 1705, 1800; nor is it to be changed in any way into another meaning 1800, 1818; it is immutable 125, 148, 160 f., 212, 293, 308, 336, 1656, 2060 f., 2145; it was complete with the Apostles 783, 2021.

THE ACCEPTANCE OF REVELATION (FAITH)

I c Divine Revelation requires internal faith 1637, 1681, 1789, 1810; and that divine (i.e. because of the pre-eminent authority of God revealing) 1789, 1811, C1323, sec. 1, which presupposes revelation previously made 1622, 1650, and known by the use of reason 1068, 1626, 1651, 1670, 1790, 2146 (even in the scholastic method 1652).

Knowledge does not suffice that is only probable 1171, nor merely subjective (of the Pseudo-mystics) 1273, nor merely internal experience 2081, or private inspiration 1812; but there is required a secure knowledge of the fact of revelation 1171, 1623 ff., 1634 ff., 1639, 1715, 1790, 1812, 2106 f. (although an infidel lead by a less probable opinion, not believing is not excused from infidelity 1154). No one invited to embrace the faith is to be forced 1875; but revelation once accepted under the teaching authority of the Church cannot be called into doubt by a suspended assent 1794, 1815; hence a positive doubt is not the basis of theological investigation (Hermes) 1619 ff., 1815; all indifferentism and latitudinarianism is to be rejected 1613 f., 1646 f., 1677, 1689, 1715 ff., 1815, 1874, 1932, 2199.

THE POWERS, DUTIES, LIMITS OF REASON

I d Not all certitude is founded on faith 553 f.; natural certitude is had not only of the first principle or those things which can be resolved to it 558, 3020 f., but with a certitude of evidence (admitting of grades 556) we know material substance 557, the efficient causality of things 559 ff., 3020; the distinction of things from God 562 ff., and temporal existence 565; the existence of one's own intellect and will 566; that not all appearances are true 567; that God and creatures are something 568. The first and unique principle is not "If something is, something is" 570. Future, even contingent, things have a determined truth 719 ff. Immediate knowledge of God (according to the mind of the Ontologists) is not essential to the human intellect 1659 ff.—Truth itself is immutable 2058, 3010 f., 3021 ff. Reason without revelation and even without grace can know some religious truths before the faith is accepted 1022, 1391, 1616 ff., 1626, 1650, 1652, 1670, 1785, 1795, 1806, 2072, like the existence of God 1622, 1650, 1670, 1672, 1785, 1806, 2072 ff. (and demonstrate it 1670, 2145, as even His nature and attributes 1670); the infinity of God 1622, the spirituality and immortality of souls 1650, the freedom of man 1650, the fact of creation 1806, miracles 1813, the divinity of Mosaic revelation 1623, 1627, and Christian 1624 f., 1627.

Before the reception of faith reason can and ought to know for certain (besides the fact of revelation) the motives for credibility (besides the preambles of faith) 1171, 1622 ff., 1634 f., 1637 ff., 1651, 1790 ff., 1799, 1812, 2145, 3005, 3019, 3020, among which the prophecies and miracles of Christ 1707, 1790, 1813, 2028, 2145, and the Church itself, of itself, are outstanding 1638, 1794, 1957.

After the reception of the faith reason can attain a kind of understanding of the mysteries 1796, 3020, not, however, perceive all revealed truths or prove them with evident argument 282, 442, 1616, 1626 f., 1642, 1655 f., 1668 f., 1671 ff., 1682, 1704, 1709, 1796, 1816, 1915, 2120; thus, v.g., with the natural light it cannot attain its supernatural end and its means 1668 f., 1671 ff., 1791.