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The functions of natural theology in Thomas Aquinas: A presumption of atheism?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2023

Clemente Huneeus Open the ORCID record for Clemente Huneeus [Opens in a new window]
Clemente Huneeus*
Affiliation:
Centro de Estudios Generales, Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Chile
*
Email: chuneeus@miuandes.cl
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Abstract

Antony Flew argued for a ‘presumption of atheism’ that intended to put the philosophical debate about God under a light which demands setting the meaningfulness and logical coherence of the theistic notion of ‘God’ before any arguments for His existence are suggested. This way of proceeding, discussing divine attributes before considering the arguments for the existence of God, became dominant in analytic philosophy of religion. Flew also stated that Aquinas presented his five ways as an attempt to defeat such a presumption of atheism. However, Aquinas proceeds in the reverse order, beginning with God's existence before discussing the divine attributes. He does so because he believes that natural knowledge of God must be drawn from creatures. Accordingly, from the Thomist perspective, natural theology is necessary not because it provides rational justification for religious belief in God's existence, but rather as a means to fix the referent for the word ‘God’ (semantic function) and provide an intelligible account of the divine nature (hermeneutic function). We should also acknowledge a correlative hermeneutic function of religious faith. Therefore, natural theology should not begin from a presumption of atheism nor proceed in the way suggested by Flew, because its main intention is not strictly apologetical.

Keywords

Antony FlewThomas Aquinaspresumption of atheismnatural theologyreligious epistemology
Type
Original Article
Information
Religious Studies , Volume 61 , Special Issue 1: Featuring articles on The Existence and Nature of God: Contributions from Latin America , March 2025 , pp. 152 - 165
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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