A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
The theory that accepts the existence of God on purely rational grounds but denies (with Blount or Tindal) or doubts (with Hume) or rejects as incredible (with Voltaire and Rousseau) Christianity as a supernatural religion. Accordingly revelation, miracles, grace, and mysteries are excluded from acceptance by what is called "the rational man." Yet deism differs from rationalism in stressing its acceptance of a personal God and adherence to what is called natural religion, but with no recognition of a supernatural order. (Etym. Latin Deus, God.)
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.