The Search for Certainty
for a purely theoretical truth? Scientific certainty can't stand up to the torch and stake.
But the certainty of faith is much different. It possesses far greater intensity; it is ineradicable, because it is rooted in the human heart and involves every fibre of our existence. If a person is opposed to you on the basis of principle, he is almost impossible to convince otherwise; in fact, it is impossible to reason with him. A man's religion always rules him, even in the most nonpartisan study. It is at the basis of all differences that divide mankind.
Therefore, the true believer considers nothing too costly for the preservation of faith, whether it be the rack, the branding iron, the cross or the stake. It is more precious than home and country, than spouse and children, than one's own life, than the whole world. For he who loses his faith, loses himself, his soul, his eternal salvation.
But he who keeps his faith also keeps himself even if he should lose his life.
The certainty of faith is therefore the most perfect rest, the highest freedom of the spirit. It doubts not. It is heroic and fearless, though there be as many devils as shingles on the roof. Faith fears God alone and no one else. It is even more certain of itself than of the sun shining in the sky. It can doubt everything except itself. And with at least as much right as Descartes posited his cogito ergo sum (I think therefore I am), the believer posits credo, ergo sum, ergo Deus est (I believe, therefore I am, therefore God is).
The Search for Certainty Because certainty of faith is of such great value and significance, it is not surprising that mankind has always sought it. Without this heart's rest, man lacked peace of soul. He tried to achieve certainty in