By the time I was born, my mother had left the Roman Catholic Church to become a Lutheran. As a result she hadn’t the slightest temptation to name me after my birthday’s saint–Anselm. It was hard growing up with the surname Kofink, but Anselm Kofink would have been unbearable.

Anselm of Canterbury ( 1033/4–1109) was born of a noble family in Burgundy. At the age of 27 he joined the Benedictine Monastery at Bec in Normandy, becoming abbot only three years later. Against his will, he was made Archbishop of Canterbury in England in 1093. As archbishop he fell into conflict first with King William II and later Henry I with the result that he spent of his time in exile.

Anselm is remembered as an intellectual. Almost every student of religion or philosophy has had to cope with his famous argument for the existence of God. Anselm’s real interest was in the relationship between faith and reason. Numerous times in history some Christians have regarded reason (or science) as an opponent of faith and rejected any scientific idea that seemed to conflict with religion. Anselm had a different view. He thought that reason and faith were entirely compatible.

I tend to lean toward Anselm’s view. I believe faith and reason are both gifts from God and therefore can’t be in conflict. Both have a place in life. I don’t consult the Bible to figure out why my car won’t start. I don’t turn to scientists for moral guidance or questions about the spirit.

How do you deal with faith and reason?

Read 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne