A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsWidtsoe, John Andreas
Religion
A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Widtsoe, John Andreas
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Theology
**The Use of the Reason.** Whether knowledge be obtained by any or
all of the methods indicated, it should be carefully examined in the
light of reason. The only knowledge that will help in the
establishment of a satisfactory religion is true knowledge. Truth is
the end of the search. False or apparently true knowledge often
intrudes itself upon the attention and at times it is so well
disguised as to be dangerously deceptive. Man must learn of the
universe, precisely as it is, or he can not successfully find his
place in it. A man should therefore use his reasoning faculty in all
matters involving truth, and especially as concerning his religion.
**The Foundation of Rational Theology.** The Gospel, or rational
theology, is founded on truth, on all truth, for "truth is knowledge
of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come," and
"truth has no end." In building a philosophy of life a man, therefore,
can not say that some truth must be considered and other truth
rejected. Only on the basis of all truth, that is, all true knowledge,
can his religion be built. Further, the perfection of his knowledge,
that is, the extent of his truth possessions, will determine the value
of his religion to him. Therefore, "it is impossible for a man to be
saved in ignorance," "a man is saved no faster than he obtains
knowledge," and "the glory of God is intelligence."
CHAPTER 3.
ETERNALISM.
The conceptions necessary for logical thought belong to the Gospel as
well as to science, for a satisfactory life philosophy must be based
on all knowledge known to man.
**All Knowledge, the Basis.** The Gospel, as the largest knowledge,
must include the knowledge of all sciences. The conceptions of time
and space are quite as necessary in theology as in natural science or
in any other branch of human thought. The Gospel does not claim,
however, possession of ultimate knowledge concerning space or time or
other fundamental conceptions. Indeed, man is, ordinarily, allowed to
work out for himself the truths of the universe and to organize them
into systems of thought which he may follow profitably. Knowledge is
given directly by a superior intelligence only when it becomes
indispensable. Moreover, there are innumerable phenomena in the
universe which can not be explained by the human understanding as at
present developed. The distinguishing feature of the Gospel is that it
possesses the key to the final philosophy of life. In outline it
offers the entire plan of life in the universe; and man may engage for
all time to come in the elaboration and development of each department
of this great universal plan of human life, without requiring an
expansion of the outline. The plan is complete.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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