Rereading Jonathan Edwards’ and Feyz Kashani’s Views on the Relationship between Reason and Faith

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD of Religions and Mysticism, Islamic Azad University (Ahvaz branch)

2 Associate Professor, Dept. of Religions and Mysticism, University of Tehran

Abstract

 In this article, by adopting descriptive-analytic method, Jonathan Edwards’ and Feyz Kashani’s views on the relationship between reason and faith have been evaluated. The derived results portray the fact that Edwards and Kashani, as two influential theologians of respectively Christianity and Islam, have robustly laid stress upon the role of heart (illumination) in theological frameworks; they have neither denied the role rational knowledge plays in human life nor eliminate/reproach it, though considering believers’ performances as reliant mostly on hearty (illuminative) discernment. These two theologians’ jargons on reason seems prima facie as identical, but this research will throw light of inquiry upon the fact that Edwards, in spite of giving a minimum role to rational knowledge, considers it to be effectless on believers’ practical structure of faith, whereas Kashani considers it to have a positive role in providing bedrock for heartfelt practical knowledge. On this detail, not only does Kashani, in contrast to Edwards’ view, give an important role to reason in practical faith but maintains that degrees of faith will vary on the basis of believers’ intellectual and practical potentials. Though one may not forget that Kashani, in line with Edwards, holds that mere knowledge can never be sufficient and knowledge will occur once hearty affirmation entered on the scene-which is a matter of divine impartation (exuberation)-

Keywords

References

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Journal of Philosophical Theological Research
Volume 18, Issue 2 - Serial Number 70
February 2017
Pages 85-106

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