To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible

Thomas Aquinas, a prominent theologian and philosopher of the 13th century, is often associated with the quote, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” This quote encapsulates Aquinas’ belief in the importance of faith in understanding the mysteries of the divine.

Aquinas was a firm believer in the compatibility of faith and reason. He argued that faith and reason are not mutually exclusive, but rather complement each other in the pursuit of truth. For Aquinas, faith was the starting point for understanding the mysteries of God, while reason served as a tool to deepen and clarify that understanding.

In the context of the quote, Aquinas is suggesting that those who have faith in God do not require elaborate explanations or proofs to believe in His existence and His works. Faith, for Aquinas, is a gift from God that allows believers to see beyond the limitations of human understanding and perceive the divine presence in the world. To those who have faith, the existence of God is self-evident, and no amount of reasoning or argumentation can shake their belief.

On the other hand, Aquinas acknowledges that those without faith may struggle to comprehend the mysteries of God. Without the foundation of faith, the divine remains elusive and incomprehensible to the human mind. No amount of logical reasoning or empirical evidence can convince a skeptic of the existence of God if they lack the faith to believe in His existence.