I would have to say I am in disagreement with several things Descartes had to say. First off, in God’s existence, it is about relationship, not religion. As Descartes specifically called it in his second point, on the first page. The next subject I have to disagree with him on, has to do with him referencing the fact that he believes God is trying to deceive him. His words specifically were, “Although he who gave me being employed all his ingenuity to deceive me?” God is not the author of confusion, He is abundantly clear in His word about this. Lastly, I disagree with how much authority he is giving to the mind. Man is fallible. We prove this in our own lives. How many of us can make a 100% on every test we will ever take or never say anything that would hurt friends and family. These are just some of the small arguments to support the fact that man is fallible.
There is a point, if I did not misread, I did agree with: “And as regards the Soul, although many have judged that its nature could not be easily discovered, and some have even ventured to say that human reason led to the conclusion that it perished with the body, and that the contrary opinion could be held through faith alone.” It is faith alone that can hold to the belief that the soul does not parish. I am uncertain if he believes this fact. But it is Biblical that Salvation is obtained by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
One thing that seems to be sad, is the fact that he spent his life’s work trying to prove the existence of God, or at least that is what has been relayed by other means, but because of his wordiness in this work, that is not the impression I was under and it is likely that he is misread and misinterpreted by others as well.
~Joy Vigneulle~
PS - Rachel Kotlan
I agree that God is not the author of confusion, cause it's Biblical. He even came down to earth and lived with us to try and explain the old testament and lives in us to help us understand His teachings. Another part in the text that says "But perhaps Deity has not been willing that I should be thus decieved, for he is said to be supremely good. If, however, it were repugnant to the goodness of Deity to have created me sublect to constant decepeion, it would seem likewise to be contrary to his goodness to allow me to be occasionally decieved; an yet it is clear that this is permited." I think this goes along with what you quoted (“Although he who gave me being employed all his ingenuity to deceive me?”) in that God does not decieve. However, He does allow us to be decieved, which, as Descarte said, is aparent in everyday life.
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