Spiritual Information:The conflict between faith and reason

The conflict between faith and reason from the view points of several medieval philosophers. The major ideas, development of arguments and historical perspectives

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that there is a constant conflict between faith and human reason. Even my first sentence shows us that we as humans are dependent on reason in our everyday lives. "…in anyone’s mind…" We think, therefore we are. Or are we, merely because we are.
It seems to some that there is a possibility to combine both.
Justin Martyr believes that through reason, we can find faith. He makes this decision after a man on a street stops him and speaks to him about the Prophets, and God. After much searching for a teacher, and not finding one he found suitable, Justin Martyr found the man's words to be profound, and pondered all that he had said. His position is made clear by these words, "I discovered that his was the only sure and useful philosophy. Thus it is that I am now a philosopher…and if you believe in God, you may have the chance, since I know you are no stranger to this matter, of attaining a knowledge of the Christ of God, and, after becoming a Christian, of enjoying a happy life."
Clement of Alexandria believes that reason is the only way. He argues that God has given us reason so that our "foot will not stumble" (Proverbs 3:28). "[Philosophy] is useful for the development of true religion, as a kind of preparatory discipline for those who arrive at faith by way of demonstration." He says that philosophy is a contributory cause toward faith, but it is not necessary. "Almost all of us have received the word about God through faith, without having a secondary education or a training in Greek philosophy, some of us without elementary education." He believes that God gives us reason, that we may understand him better. By using it as a step we may not only achieve, but also keep faith in him.
Tertullian on the other hand, believes that reason will pull us away from God, and that faith alone is what allows a belief and a trust in god. He believes that reason can be reached only through God, "For by whom has truth ever been discovered without God?" He believed that it was plainly obvious why Socrates was in jail. It was because he did not listen to the truth of God, but instead to the "truths" of man, which Tertullian argues are not truths at all, but instead blind assumptions. If it isn’t told to be by God, then it may not be at all. "For it is really better for us not to know a thing because He has not revealed it to us, than to know it according to man’s wisdom, because he has been bold enough to assume it." He believes that faith and reason are two separate items that need not be mixed. " What indeed does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?" Athens being the heartland of Greece, which is philosophy’s mother, to which it was born raised, nurtured, and blossomed. Jerusalem, being the home of Faith and love of God. He agrees with Solomon that "the Lord should be sought in simplicity of heart" rather than involving reason and complicating it by assuming truths from man made wisdom. "With our faith, we desire no further belief."
Jesus was a teacher of faith. He often said things that contradicted themselves, such as "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." How can a meek person inherit the earth, but he asks people to just believe, and ask no questions. He also contradicts things that have been accepted facts. "You have heard it said ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’ but I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…" There are but few accounts of Jesus giving any explanation for his actions, and yet he expects people to follow with blind faith. Throw out reason, and believe on faith alone. This is how Jesus taught. This conflict will continue due to the circular argument of which gives the other. Does faith give reason? Or does reason yield faith? Can the two coexist? Reason, to some, implies lack of faith. Why would you need reason if you had faith? To others, it gives us faith. Until this can be settled, we will forever hear the arguments, and this is the essence of the tension between the two.