Awakening from the Kantian Anti-Supernatural Slumbers* By John Cheng, M.Div., Th.M. This pamphlet is written primarily for our deep meditation. While it is a summons to awaken from the current Kantian naturalistic slumbers, it is, in a more profound manner, a call for deeper faith, prayer and union with God. Our hearts, then, would not be hardened against the abundant tide of supernatural grace, allowing it in all its power to freely fill and pass through us as supernatural-natural beings: Duc in altum, i.e., "Put out into the deep" (Lk 5:4) (cf. John Paul II, 2001, At the Beginning of the New Millennium, no. 38). "A new millennium is opening before the Church like a vast ocean upon which we shall venture" (ibid, no. 58), relying on the help of the Most Holy Trinity, "the ineffable mystery in which everything has its origin and it fulfilment" (ibid, no. 5). In Mark 8:33, the Bible informs us how the early disciples were awakened from their naturalistic slumbers by the Lord in tough love: "But turning and looking at His disciples, Jesus rebuked Peter and said: 'Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine [i.e., the supernatural dimension of] things but on human [i.e., the naturalistic dimension of human] things." At the same time, it is written in 1Cor 2:9-14 with respect to the supernatural: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him …" This booklet is divided into five sections. After the preface, a summary of Kant's life and writings appears. Then, as the main body of the essay, some negative effects of his anti-supernatural philosophy are being unearthed. Finally, this work is completed with a conclusion and epilogue. Below are some of the remarks made on the booklet: "John Cheng, having identified the main culprit undermining the project of Truth --- Immanual Kant, proposes a convincing path toward the restoration of wisdom. In his work the natural and supernatural are related in a credible synthesis." ------- Prof. Thomas Langan, author of The Catholic Tradition and Being and Truth, coauthor - with Prof. Etienne Gilson -- of Modern Philosophy: Hegel to Kant Recent Philosophy: Hegel to the Present. * * * * * * * "Sharing his own experience with typical modesty, John Cheng seeks to awaken his readers to the most wonderful dimension of their potential to know. I hope he succeeds." ------- Prof. Janine Langan, foundress of the Christianity and Culture Program at University of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto. * * * * * * * "This paper traces the effect upon succeeding generations of what may be called the Kantian Revolution. It is broad in its sweep yet its main focus is its effect upon what the author terms supernaturalism and more specifically Christian supernaturalism. Readers may find parts of the essay somewhat general yet they will be struck by the scope of the undertaking." ------- Rev. Prof. Michael Lapierre, S.J., Regis College, T.S.T., University of Toronto. * * * * * * * "I find the essay reads well. Our salvation process from, through and in the Most Holy Trinity is interesting. It is a concise and directed prose that moves rapidly towards the conclusion." ------- Rev. Prof. Terence Fay, S.J., St. Augustine Seminary, T.S.T., University of Toronto. * * * * * * * "What the author is saying is very important. The subject is desperately needed." -------- Anonymous * * * * * * * "The author has provided an interesting introduction to the problems which Kantian philosophy poses to the devout Christian. He approaches these problems armed with appropriate spiritual and intellectual propositions of his own." ------- Rev. Guy Trudel, C.S.B., D. Phil. * * * * * * * "John Cheng is trying to awake in us Kant's anti-metaphysical attitude which is so pervasive and contaminating in our modern world." ------- Prof. John McRae, Catholic educator * * * * * * * "This essay demands our focus and concentration. Indeed, it is a timely comment on Kant and his detrimental influence on our present-day thinking. It recalls us to daily prayer, Sacred Scriptures, the Magisterium and sound philosophy and theology." ----- Ann Rooney, retired Catholic teacher and mother of three. * * * * * * * "Most informative … really good! It is something which every Catholic should be made aware of. It is a real eye-opener, a wake-up call. What the author tries to bring to our attention is something which people become influenced by it without really realizing what is happening." ------ Tony Ercolani, MAATO, a practicing Catholic and father of two. * * * * * * * Further copies are available from Grace Institute of the Holy Eucharist. To obtain a copy, send your mailing address and $5.00 (Canadian) to P.O. Box, Station F, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4X 2L4. You may also contact us by clicking here, or click here to visit our website for further information. Thank you. * This pamphlet is consecrated to the Most Holy Trinity through Our Heavenly Mother on March 25, 2001, Feast of the Annunication of the Lord. Grateful acknowledgement is particularly due also to the advice and wisdom of Prof. Thomas Langan and Prof. Janine Langan.
This pamphlet is written primarily for our deep meditation. While it is a summons to awaken from the current Kantian naturalistic slumbers, it is, in a more profound manner, a call for deeper faith, prayer and union with God. Our hearts, then, would not be hardened against the abundant tide of supernatural grace, allowing it in all its power to freely fill and pass through us as supernatural-natural beings: Duc in altum, i.e., "Put out into the deep" (Lk 5:4) (cf. John Paul II, 2001, At the Beginning of the New Millennium, no. 38). "A new millennium is opening before the Church like a vast ocean upon which we shall venture" (ibid, no. 58), relying on the help of the Most Holy Trinity, "the ineffable mystery in which everything has its origin and it fulfilment" (ibid, no. 5).
In Mark 8:33, the Bible informs us how the early disciples were awakened from their naturalistic slumbers by the Lord in tough love: "But turning and looking at His disciples, Jesus rebuked Peter and said: 'Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine [i.e., the supernatural dimension of] things but on human [i.e., the naturalistic dimension of human] things." At the same time, it is written in 1Cor 2:9-14 with respect to the supernatural: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him …"
This booklet is divided into five sections. After the preface, a summary of Kant's life and writings appears. Then, as the main body of the essay, some negative effects of his anti-supernatural philosophy are being unearthed. Finally, this work is completed with a conclusion and epilogue.
Below are some of the remarks made on the booklet:
"John Cheng, having identified the main culprit undermining the project of Truth --- Immanual Kant, proposes a convincing path toward the restoration of wisdom. In his work the natural and supernatural are related in a credible synthesis."
------- Prof. Thomas Langan, author of The Catholic Tradition and Being and Truth, coauthor - with Prof. Etienne Gilson -- of Modern Philosophy: Hegel to Kant Recent Philosophy: Hegel to the Present.
"Sharing his own experience with typical modesty, John Cheng seeks to awaken his readers to the most wonderful dimension of their potential to know. I hope he succeeds."
------- Prof. Janine Langan, foundress of the Christianity and Culture Program at University of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto.
"This paper traces the effect upon succeeding generations of what may be called the Kantian Revolution. It is broad in its sweep yet its main focus is its effect upon what the author terms supernaturalism and more specifically Christian supernaturalism. Readers may find parts of the essay somewhat general yet they will be struck by the scope of the undertaking."
------- Rev. Prof. Michael Lapierre, S.J., Regis College, T.S.T., University of Toronto.
"I find the essay reads well. Our salvation process from, through and in the Most Holy Trinity is interesting. It is a concise and directed prose that moves rapidly towards the conclusion."
------- Rev. Prof. Terence Fay, S.J., St. Augustine Seminary, T.S.T., University of Toronto.
"What the author is saying is very important. The subject is desperately needed."
-------- Anonymous
"The author has provided an interesting introduction to the problems which Kantian philosophy poses to the devout Christian. He approaches these problems armed with appropriate spiritual and intellectual propositions of his own."
------- Rev. Guy Trudel, C.S.B., D. Phil.
"John Cheng is trying to awake in us Kant's anti-metaphysical attitude which is so pervasive and contaminating in our modern world."
------- Prof. John McRae, Catholic educator
"This essay demands our focus and concentration. Indeed, it is a timely comment on Kant and his detrimental influence on our present-day thinking. It recalls us to daily prayer, Sacred Scriptures, the Magisterium and sound philosophy and theology."
----- Ann Rooney, retired Catholic teacher and mother of three.
"Most informative … really good! It is something which every Catholic should be made aware of. It is a real eye-opener, a wake-up call. What the author tries to bring to our attention is something which people become influenced by it without really realizing what is happening."
------ Tony Ercolani, MAATO, a practicing Catholic and father of two.
Further copies are available from Grace Institute of the Holy Eucharist. To obtain a copy, send your mailing address and $5.00 (Canadian) to P.O. Box, Station F, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4X 2L4. You may also contact us by clicking here, or click here to visit our website for further information. Thank you.
* This pamphlet is consecrated to the Most Holy Trinity through Our Heavenly Mother on March 25, 2001, Feast of the Annunication of the Lord. Grateful acknowledgement is particularly due also to the advice and wisdom of Prof. Thomas Langan and Prof. Janine Langan.