NEWMAN COLLEGE IRELAND  PRESENTS

FAITH AND REASON COURSE 

IN THREE MODULES

The purpose for this course is derived from the fact that the Judeo-Christian tradition of the

West is being eroded and finds itself in crisis in many European countries. Commentators have observed there is also a crisis of faith in Europe. That is indeed true but it is the crisis of reason that precedes to a large extent the crisis of faith and culture. 

Postmodernism for decades has been eroding the intellectual foundations of European culture. The enemy as they see it, are reason and an objective metaphysical outlook on reality. It is submitted that restoring foundations and the ability for people to think and understand reality is critical to any possible recovery of minds and hearts in Europe. 

This dehellenization of the faith, politics and law is to a large extent the crisis of governments around the world. It is also no secret that the teaching of the faith at a high level is hard to find. Teaching and instructing minds is the heart of what must be done.

Philosophy and Metaphysics are pertinent and a necessary antidote to so many anti-

foundational ideologies in the university and the public square. Right thinking is necessary

before you start teaching theology. We must do both.

This course is intended also for protestants that are open to participating in a proper

understanding of what the Ancient faith was and are willing to understand a clear explanation of what happened in the 16th century. It is also apt for many Catholics, that would like to solidify and certainly understand the metaphysical underpinnings of their faith. 

I think this is vital and urgent as a response to the crisis of our times. We must renew the proper teaching of the faith and the reasoning to resolve and understand the moral conflicts of our day.

We will initially cover metaphysics and philosophy as absolutely necessary and as a useful

purification of the intellect before any theology is taught. We will deal with many cultural

questions as we go.

  • 1. Metaphysical Foundation of Reality
  • 2. The Error of the Reformation
  • 3. The Faith of the Ancient Church

It will all flow seamlessly as we cover the three main pillars of the course. Being familiar with regular catechetical instruction for converts, and adult education in the Catholic Church. enables me to confidently say we will cover things that are not at all taught in such courses. Most courses for adults teach conclusions, but rarely do anything about how we got there.

Metaphysics: Will cover

…certain principles of logic that are necessary to think and understand the teaching of the faith. The different causes that help us understand natural theology. Proof of God’s existence, the existence of the soul. What is truth, evil, justice and many other things that are essential.

…the dislocations of the Reformation that not only explain the philosophical errors of the Reformation but also the theological consequences. The teaching of the faith will be imparted through this process.

“I feel the faith is collapsing in Ireland, Germany, Austria and we must and can respond. We can empower people to know and allow others to explore the truth of the faith and reason.  It makes a huge difference.” Marcel Guarnizo

MODULE ONE

It seems critical at this time that more people learn their faith at a deeper level as many of the obstacles today regard problems of reason. It is indeed possible the crisis of faith has been preceded by a crisis of reason. This first module (class) intends to help students recover a philosophical foundation.

Class Description

This course is intended to establish fundamental philosophical foundations necessary for a proper understanding of the Christian faith. Furthermore, the postmodern epoch that we are experiencing is fundamentally an anti-philosophical ideology that seeks to destroy the foundations of reason. This loss of rationality in our society creates a culture that is ethically, philosophically and theologically unsound. Recovering these foundations allows individuals to think and counter so much of what has become a culture of nihilism, relativism and materialism. Our course will cover, foundational principles of logic, and metaphysics. We will show how these apply for a better understanding of the faith.

  • 1.  The Crisis of thought (epistemology crisis).
  • 2.  How do we know?
  • 3.  First principles of Logic
  • 4.  Change, Movement and its consequences
  • 5.  The question of Evil
  • 6.  The question of Truth & Justice
  • 7.  Rational Demonstrations for the Existence of God
  • 8.  On the Nature of God
  • 9.  On the Nature of the Soul
  • 10. TBD

TUTOR: Marcel Guarnizo

FORMAT: ZOOM

TIME:  Thursdays 19:30 to  21:00

START: April 8, 2026:  

FEE: 50 euro per module
ENQUIRIES AND REGISTRATION: https://learn.newmancollege.ie/en/accounts/register/