For the method of reasoning or inquiring is good for promoting faith. And it does so in three ways directed to three types of humans: some are adversaries of the faith; others are weak in their faith; while the faith of others is complete.
In the first place, the method of inquiry works to confound the adversaries of the faith. Consequently, Augustine says in On the Trinity: “Against loquacious quibblers, whose self-esteem outstrips their abilities, make use of Catholic arguments and like arguments that are suitable, in order to defend and assert the faith.”
In the second place, the method of inquiry works to strengthen those who are weak in their faith. Just as God strengthens charity in the weak through temporal benefits, so he strengthens the faith of the weak through arguments using proof: for if the weak were to see that there are no arguments using proof for the faith, but that opposing arguments abound, none of them would persist in the faith.
In the third place, the method of inquiry works to bring delight to those whose faith is complete. For in a wonderful way the soul delights in understanding what it already believes with complete faith. Consequently, Bernard says: “There is nothing we understand with more pleasure than what we already believe through faith.”
[Bonaventure, Commentary on the Sentences: Philosophy of God (Topic 1: Book 1, Prologue, Question 2), Houser and Noone, trs., Franciscan Institute Publications (St. Bonaventure, NY: 2013).]
