I hope I can finish this book review, as I need to give the copy back to my friend. However, I want to give another extrapolation on faith for the benefit of readers who are young. This is from the first part of the book which I have been referencing for two days.
Faith, as St. Thomas tells us in the Summa Theologica, and as already examined on this blog last year. The real emphasis on faith has to be that it resides in the intellect and that the intellect must give a "yes" to the elements of faith.
The modern approach to religion and faith has erred on the side of emotion and consolation. This is not true faith.
That good catechesis must stressed the importance of the intellectual assent to faith should be a lynch pin in the studies of the catechumenates. However, too often those who teach merely want to stress experience.
We come to believe in God and heaven through the assent of the intellect. Faith moves the intellect, as Father Ripperger points out. We come to see the truth of what is revealed. Of course, much of what we come to believe are those things not seen.
Father Ripperger points out that the habit of mind "by which eternal life is begun in us, making the intecclet assent to things unseen", a translation of a phrase from Aquinas, is the use of faith.
Again, "faith is a virtue or habit in the intellect by which we give assent to things that are non-apparent or unseen."
By the way, here is a little blurb on Father Chad Ripperger: from this site.
Rev. Chad Ripperger was born and raised in Casper, WY to Catholic parents. He attended public school and entered Conception Seminary College. After one year there, he completed the following education: Doctorate and Licence in philosophy and Masters of Theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome.
He began exorcism work in 2005 and in 2007 he became the diocesan exorcist for the archdiocese of Omaha. He continued as an exorcist outside of Coer d'Alene, ID for the dioceses of Omaha and Tulsa. He continues as a consultant to exorcists and dioceses.
During the past year, he receive the permission of Bishop Edward Slattery to found a semi contemplative society of priests to do work in exorcism.
He has published an excellent book: Introduction to the Science of Mental Health, Sensus Tradionis Press. He has also published over a dozen articles on a variety of topics.
To be continued...
