Newman’s theology of faith : a guiding light in a secular age

Abstract

From the onset, one must state that this article seeks to be of help in an anthropologically endangered landscape and to suggest ways in which the present age’s characteristic forgetfulness of God might be wisely addressed for the benefit of humanity. John Henry Newman’s theology of faith is thus engaged with this specific motive well-kept in view. Throughout the second half of the twentieth century and during the years following the dawn of the new millennium, the phenomenon of secularisation has been one among the most debated. Starting with a simple and direct definition of the “promiscuous concept”1 represented by the term “secularisation,” Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor affirmed that the concept traditionally conveyed “two different meanings: a) the decline of religious belief and practice; b) the retreat of religion from the public space.” Furthermore, Sommerville contended that the term “‘[s]ecularism’ should be differentiated from the more general theme of secularization. The term secularism was coined around 1852 to describe an ideology organized to counter religious loyalties.” [excerpt]