Assent: To Truth (Gospel Topics Series Book 10)

Introduction

When I say assent to truth what does it call to mind? We can understand assenting to truth in many ways. We can also view the truth in many ways. In this short topical book, I’m interested in the assent that a person makes when they acknowledge revealed truth and affirm that truth by holding to that revealed truth in their life. As you know, our assent to the natural world around us, which we experience thru the senses is much different from our assent to the supernatural world that is unseen. It is seen in one sense while it is unseen in another. The supernatural world of faith is seen thru the signs which are given to us, which lead us to our faith. These signs can be the Word of God, the sacraments and the signs which represent the sacraments. For example, the tabernacle where Jesus us present. More importantly, the accidents of bread and wine that remain after the hosts is consecrated or after transubstantiation occurs. These same realities or instruments of God are also invisible in another sense. The theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, which were infused into our souls at baptism are some of the supernatural realities which are within our very soul, yet are unseen to the naked eye or any of the natural senses. In order to come into contact with these supernatural realities, theologians say and the Church teacher we must exercise those virtues that make these connections real.