Fides et Ratio is the encyclical that John Paul II published in 1998 on the relationship between faith and reason. The title, in Latin, simply means faith and reason.
What the encyclical states
The thesis is straightforward: faith and reason are neither rivals nor strangers. There are two ways to one truth, because the truth is one and God is the author of both. The document revisits the great Christian tradition, from Augustine to Thomas Aquinas, to show that thinking rigorously and believing firmly are not mutually exclusive.
The image of the two wings
The text became known by an image, right at the opening.
Faith and reason are like the two wings by which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.
A bird with one wing doesn't fly: it spins in circles on the ground. Faith without reason becomes fanaticism. Reason without faith becomes cold calculation. You have to flap both wings together to climb.
Where to start reading
It is a surprisingly accessible document, written not just for theologians but for anyone who refuses to divide their soul between what they believe and what they think. Start with the introduction and the first chapter, and let the image of the two wings work on you.
In-depth study
Church History Course, with Prof. Dr. Rodrigo Bitencourt
In-depth reading of the work of Daniel Rops, where the alliance between faith and reason and Augustine's conversion appear in full.
Discover the courseFrequently asked questions
What does Fides et Ratio mean?
It is a Latin expression that means faith and reason. It is also the name of the encyclical that John Paul II published in 1998 on the relationship between the two.
What is the central thesis of the encyclical?
That faith and reason are two paths to one truth, and not opposing forces. The image that summarizes this is that of the two wings by which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.
Is Fides et Ratio difficult to read?
No. It is an accessible text, written for any interested reader. The best way is to start with the introduction and the first chapter.
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