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Faith and Reason
Faith and reason are not destinations but open-ended adventures of the mind and heart, offering comfort and nourishment without finality or closure. They are like doors opening into doors, leading to still more doors, forever progressing; or shields within shields, each requiring reexamination, endlessly layered and complex. They embody the enfilade of infinite passageways and the mise en abyme of self-reflective depths, perpetually inviting deeper exploration.
Surrender to Adventure
An interesting feature of process philosophy is that it makes rational sense to believe in God. Indeed, more sense than not to believe. We live in a creative universe, and God is the cosmic lure toward order and novelty: all loving but not controlling, persuasive not coercive.
Human beings experience this lure, among other ways, as an inwardly felt lure to approach the world in a rational way, seeking the patterns that connect its multiplicities. That's what reason is. It is a seeking after, and recognition of, the patterns.
And yet, neither rational inquiry nor religious faith are static endeavors. They are open-ended adventures filled with risk and delight, humility and wonder, and with no final end.
They can be understood with help from two analogies. One is that of an enfilade: an endless series of rooms extending into the distance, each leading to the next. There is no final end to the rooms. The other is the analogy of mise en abyme: the heraldic image of a shield within a shield within a shield within a shield, with no end. When you look into the shield, there are always more shields.
To give yourself to reason, and to give yourself to faith, is to enter this kind adventure: an adventure without finality or closure, and an adventure that has an element of the abyss in it. The two—reason and faith—are companions in this journey, complementary not contradictory.
Human beings experience this lure, among other ways, as an inwardly felt lure to approach the world in a rational way, seeking the patterns that connect its multiplicities. That's what reason is. It is a seeking after, and recognition of, the patterns.
And yet, neither rational inquiry nor religious faith are static endeavors. They are open-ended adventures filled with risk and delight, humility and wonder, and with no final end.
They can be understood with help from two analogies. One is that of an enfilade: an endless series of rooms extending into the distance, each leading to the next. There is no final end to the rooms. The other is the analogy of mise en abyme: the heraldic image of a shield within a shield within a shield within a shield, with no end. When you look into the shield, there are always more shields.
To give yourself to reason, and to give yourself to faith, is to enter this kind adventure: an adventure without finality or closure, and an adventure that has an element of the abyss in it. The two—reason and faith—are companions in this journey, complementary not contradictory.
Reason
For Whitehead, reason is not a static tool for discovering immutable truths; it is a dynamic, evolving process—a continual adventure. In his metaphysical masterpiece, Process and Reality, Whitehead challenges conventional notions of rationality, critiquing its frequent association with dogmatic finality. Instead, he celebrates rationality as a never-ending journey of discovery, where even partial insights matter. Whitehead writes:
“Rationalism never shakes off its status of an experimental adventure. The combined influences of mathematics and religion, which have so greatly contributed to the rise of philosophy, have also had the unfortunate effect of yoking it with static dogmatism. Rationalism is an adventure in the clarification of thought, progressive and never final. But it is an adventure in which even partial success has importance."
Two images, one from architecture and one from heraldry, can help illustrate what Whitehead means by this infinite and experimental process: the enfilade, a series of doors opening into other doors, and the shield-within-a-shield motif from heraldry.
The Enfilade: Rationality as Progressive Discovery
An enfilade, a linear arrangement of rooms with aligned doorways, offers a powerful visual metaphor for the progressive nature of reason. Standing at the entrance of an enfilade, one sees an endless series of rooms extending into the distance, each leading to the next. This architectural arrangement mirrors Whitehead’s view of rationality as an open-ended process.
Each “door” in the enfilade represents a stage of understanding or insight. As one door is opened, it reveals another beyond it, and then another. There is no “final room,” just as Whitehead’s rationality never arrives at ultimate conclusions. Instead, the process unfolds indefinitely, with each new doorway offering fresh perspectives and possibilities.
The metaphor of the enfilade emphasizes the progressive and exploratory dimension of rationality. Reason, in this sense, is always looking forward, seeking new connections, uncovering deeper truths, and advancing into uncharted territory. It invites us to embrace the idea that even partial success—an insight gained or a question clarified—is valuable because it contributes to the ongoing journey.
Mise en Abyme: The Recursive Depth of Reason
While the enfilade captures the forward-moving, expansive nature of rationality, the heraldic image of a shield within a shield within a shield (a visual example of mise en abyme) illustrates its recursive and self-reflective dimension. In heraldry, each shield contains a smaller shield, which contains another, creating an infinite nesting of forms.
This motif suggests depth rather than breadth, inviting the observer to look inward rather than outward.
Mise en abyme is a term denoting self-reflection within the structure of a literary work; a work employing self-reflection. is a fitting image for the way rationality revisits its own foundations. An example would be a play within a play, as in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Each layer of reasoning contains and reflects the layers that preceded it, creating a process of continual self-critique and revision. Like the shield within a shield, rationality delves deeper into itself, uncovering hidden assumptions, revisiting prior conclusions, and reframing earlier insights in light of new understanding.
This recursive nature of rationality allows it to deepen rather than merely advance. It is not simply about moving forward into new territories but also about revisiting and refining what has already been explored. Whitehead’s rationality is thus not only progressive but also reflective—a process of both uncovering new possibilities and reinterpreting the old.
“Rationalism never shakes off its status of an experimental adventure. The combined influences of mathematics and religion, which have so greatly contributed to the rise of philosophy, have also had the unfortunate effect of yoking it with static dogmatism. Rationalism is an adventure in the clarification of thought, progressive and never final. But it is an adventure in which even partial success has importance."
Two images, one from architecture and one from heraldry, can help illustrate what Whitehead means by this infinite and experimental process: the enfilade, a series of doors opening into other doors, and the shield-within-a-shield motif from heraldry.
The Enfilade: Rationality as Progressive Discovery
An enfilade, a linear arrangement of rooms with aligned doorways, offers a powerful visual metaphor for the progressive nature of reason. Standing at the entrance of an enfilade, one sees an endless series of rooms extending into the distance, each leading to the next. This architectural arrangement mirrors Whitehead’s view of rationality as an open-ended process.
Each “door” in the enfilade represents a stage of understanding or insight. As one door is opened, it reveals another beyond it, and then another. There is no “final room,” just as Whitehead’s rationality never arrives at ultimate conclusions. Instead, the process unfolds indefinitely, with each new doorway offering fresh perspectives and possibilities.
The metaphor of the enfilade emphasizes the progressive and exploratory dimension of rationality. Reason, in this sense, is always looking forward, seeking new connections, uncovering deeper truths, and advancing into uncharted territory. It invites us to embrace the idea that even partial success—an insight gained or a question clarified—is valuable because it contributes to the ongoing journey.
Mise en Abyme: The Recursive Depth of Reason
While the enfilade captures the forward-moving, expansive nature of rationality, the heraldic image of a shield within a shield within a shield (a visual example of mise en abyme) illustrates its recursive and self-reflective dimension. In heraldry, each shield contains a smaller shield, which contains another, creating an infinite nesting of forms.
This motif suggests depth rather than breadth, inviting the observer to look inward rather than outward.
Mise en abyme is a term denoting self-reflection within the structure of a literary work; a work employing self-reflection. is a fitting image for the way rationality revisits its own foundations. An example would be a play within a play, as in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Each layer of reasoning contains and reflects the layers that preceded it, creating a process of continual self-critique and revision. Like the shield within a shield, rationality delves deeper into itself, uncovering hidden assumptions, revisiting prior conclusions, and reframing earlier insights in light of new understanding.
This recursive nature of rationality allows it to deepen rather than merely advance. It is not simply about moving forward into new territories but also about revisiting and refining what has already been explored. Whitehead’s rationality is thus not only progressive but also reflective—a process of both uncovering new possibilities and reinterpreting the old.
Faith
This image of rationality as both open-ended and recursive aligns deeply with an understanding of faith in open and relational theology, of which process theology is an instance, where faith is also seen as a dynamic, evolving process rather than a static set of dogmatic certainties. Just as Whitehead portrays rationality as an "experimental adventure," faith in this framework is not the final possession of immutable truths but a lived journey—a continual reengagement with the sacred in light of new experiences, insights, and possibilities. Faith is both forward-looking and reflective, always in the process of becoming.
Faith and the Enfilade: A Journey of Progressive Discovery
In open and relational theology, faith is akin to the enfilade—a series of doorways opening into other doorways. Each “door” represents a moment of trust, insight, or engagement with God, and as one door is opened, it reveals further horizons for exploration. Faith, like reason, is never about arriving at a final destination; it is about the ongoing process of opening, questioning, and moving deeper into relationship with the sacred.
This forward-moving dimension of faith reflects the theological conviction that God continually offers fresh possibilities—a "lure" toward novelty, love, and justice. Faith responds to these divine possibilities, not as a fixed creed but as an evolving relationship. As Whitehead’s rationality seeks to uncover deeper truths, faith seeks to discover deeper connections with God, others, and the world.
The metaphor of the enfilade reminds us that faith is not diminished by its incompleteness; instead, it thrives in its openness to what lies beyond. Each act of trust or insight, no matter how partial, contributes to the unfolding journey. Faith is an adventure, marked by growth and transformation rather than closure.
Faith and Mise en Abyme: Recursive Depth and Self-Reflection
The recursive nature of rationality, illustrated by the shield-within-a-shield motif, also finds resonance in faith as understood in open and relational theology. Faith is not only about moving forward into new possibilities but also about revisiting and deepening our understanding of what has come before. Like the mise en abyme, faith reflects upon itself, uncovering hidden assumptions, reevaluating past convictions, and reinterpreting prior experiences in light of new insights.
This self-reflective aspect of faith is essential in an open and relational context, where the divine-human relationship is seen as inherently dialogical. Faith involves an ongoing conversation with God and with oneself, in which questions, doubts, and revisions are not signs of weakness but of a living, dynamic trust. Just as Whitehead’s rationality deepens through self-critique and revision, faith grows richer and more profound through its willingness to revisit and refine its foundations.
The recursive dimension of faith also aligns with the relational nature of open and relational theology, where God is not a distant, immutable force but an intimate presence, continually inviting reflection, response, and renewal. In this view, faith is not static belief but an evolving dialogue, shaped by the interplay of divine love and human freedom.
Faith as an Adventure in Clarification and Discovery
Whitehead’s description of rationality as “an adventure in the clarification of thought, progressive and never final” can equally describe faith in open and relational theology. Faith, too, is an adventure—one that resists dogmatic finality and embraces the uncertainty and creativity of the divine process. It is a trust that grows through both the enfilade’s progressive discoveries and the mise en abyme’s recursive depths.
By embracing this open-ended and reflective understanding of faith, open and relational theology invites individuals to see faith as a dynamic, participatory process. It encourages a posture of curiosity, humility, and openness to the sacred, where each step forward and each moment of reflection contribute to the ever-unfolding journey of life with God. Faith, like rationality, becomes an adventure that celebrates both the possibility of new discoveries and the depth of revisiting what has already been revealed.
Faith and the Enfilade: A Journey of Progressive Discovery
In open and relational theology, faith is akin to the enfilade—a series of doorways opening into other doorways. Each “door” represents a moment of trust, insight, or engagement with God, and as one door is opened, it reveals further horizons for exploration. Faith, like reason, is never about arriving at a final destination; it is about the ongoing process of opening, questioning, and moving deeper into relationship with the sacred.
This forward-moving dimension of faith reflects the theological conviction that God continually offers fresh possibilities—a "lure" toward novelty, love, and justice. Faith responds to these divine possibilities, not as a fixed creed but as an evolving relationship. As Whitehead’s rationality seeks to uncover deeper truths, faith seeks to discover deeper connections with God, others, and the world.
The metaphor of the enfilade reminds us that faith is not diminished by its incompleteness; instead, it thrives in its openness to what lies beyond. Each act of trust or insight, no matter how partial, contributes to the unfolding journey. Faith is an adventure, marked by growth and transformation rather than closure.
Faith and Mise en Abyme: Recursive Depth and Self-Reflection
The recursive nature of rationality, illustrated by the shield-within-a-shield motif, also finds resonance in faith as understood in open and relational theology. Faith is not only about moving forward into new possibilities but also about revisiting and deepening our understanding of what has come before. Like the mise en abyme, faith reflects upon itself, uncovering hidden assumptions, reevaluating past convictions, and reinterpreting prior experiences in light of new insights.
This self-reflective aspect of faith is essential in an open and relational context, where the divine-human relationship is seen as inherently dialogical. Faith involves an ongoing conversation with God and with oneself, in which questions, doubts, and revisions are not signs of weakness but of a living, dynamic trust. Just as Whitehead’s rationality deepens through self-critique and revision, faith grows richer and more profound through its willingness to revisit and refine its foundations.
The recursive dimension of faith also aligns with the relational nature of open and relational theology, where God is not a distant, immutable force but an intimate presence, continually inviting reflection, response, and renewal. In this view, faith is not static belief but an evolving dialogue, shaped by the interplay of divine love and human freedom.
Faith as an Adventure in Clarification and Discovery
Whitehead’s description of rationality as “an adventure in the clarification of thought, progressive and never final” can equally describe faith in open and relational theology. Faith, too, is an adventure—one that resists dogmatic finality and embraces the uncertainty and creativity of the divine process. It is a trust that grows through both the enfilade’s progressive discoveries and the mise en abyme’s recursive depths.
By embracing this open-ended and reflective understanding of faith, open and relational theology invites individuals to see faith as a dynamic, participatory process. It encourages a posture of curiosity, humility, and openness to the sacred, where each step forward and each moment of reflection contribute to the ever-unfolding journey of life with God. Faith, like rationality, becomes an adventure that celebrates both the possibility of new discoveries and the depth of revisiting what has already been revealed.
Enfilade
Enfilade refers to an arrangement of rooms or spaces where doorways are aligned in a straight line, creating a visually striking, unbroken vista through multiple spaces. This term is often used in architecture and interior design, particularly in grand historical buildings such as palaces or museums.
- Historical context: Common in Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, enfilades were used to emphasize hierarchy, with each room’s level of importance increasing as one progressed through the sequence.
- Symbolism: Enfilades often symbolize power and order, drawing attention to depth and the control of space.
- Modern usage: In literary and philosophical contexts, the concept of an enfilade might metaphorically represent sequences or interconnected structures of thought or narrative.
Mise en Abyme
Mise en Abyme is a term from French, meaning "placed into the abyss." It refers to a technique in art, literature, or film where an element of a work is represented within itself, creating a recursive, self-reflective loop.
Comparison:
- Visual arts: A classic example is a painting within a painting (e.g., Velázquez’s Las Meninas).
- Literature: A story within a story, such as in Hamlet when the play "The Mousetrap" mirrors the main plot.
- Film: Movies that contain scenes about filmmaking (Adaptation, Inception) use mise en abyme to explore self-reference.
- Philosophy: It can evoke metaphysical questions about the nature of reality and representation, as the recursive nature suggests infinite regress or an endless mirroring.
Comparison:
- Enfilade is physical and spatial, emphasizing alignment and progression, often with a linear narrative or hierarchical implication.
- Mise en Abyme is conceptual, focusing on recursion and self-reference, often with a sense of infinite reflection or layered meaning.
Summary
- Dynamic Rationality: For Whitehead, rationality is not a static tool for discovering immutable truths but a dynamic and evolving process—a continual adventure.
- Critique of Dogmatism: Rationality should resist the dogmatic finality often associated with philosophical or religious traditions, instead embracing perpetual discovery.
- Value of Partial Insights: Even incomplete or provisional understandings are valuable, contributing to the ongoing journey of rational exploration.
- The Enfilade as a Metaphor: Rationality resembles an enfilade—a series of doors opening into other doors—symbolizing its progressive, open-ended nature.
- Mise en Abyme and Depth: The recursive shield-within-a-shield motif illustrates rationality’s self-reflective dimension, where past insights are revisited and refined.
- Faith as Progressive Discovery: Faith mirrors the enfilade, with each moment of trust or insight opening new possibilities for engagement with the sacred.
- Faith as Recursive Reflection: Like mise en abyme, faith involves self-reflection, uncovering assumptions, reevaluating convictions, and deepening understanding.
- Open-Ended Faith: Faith is not a fixed creed but an evolving relationship with God, marked by growth, transformation, and a dialogue between divine love and human freedom.
- Adventure of Clarification: Both rationality and faith are adventures in the clarification of thought and experience, never reaching final conclusions but thriving in openness.
- Participation in Divine Creativity: Faith and reason, in their progressive and reflective dimensions, are participatory processes in the unfolding adventure of life with God.