John Stahl on 7/5/99 asked where the quote "All truth is God's truth" came
from.
Ted relayed the suggestion that Clement of Alexandria or Justin Martyr may
have been the source.
My first thought was Francis Bacon - he did talk about God's two books - His
works and His words. I haven't been able to check that source, but would
like to suggest Augustine as the approximate source.
Confessions, Book V, Section vi. After discussing the impressive
predictions of astronomers regarding planets and eclipses, and the poor
record of the Manichees in presenting their ideas on the same topic, as well
as a general discussion of the value of scientific knowledge he states:
"But you, O my God, had taught me in secret and marvelous ways. That it was
You who taught me, I believe: for it is the truth, and THERE IS NO OTHER
TEACHER OF TRUTH SAVE YOU, NO MATTER WHERE OR WHEN IT MAY HAPPEN TO SHINE."
I take that to mean that knowledge derived from observation of the world and
knowledge drawn from scripture are both "true".
I would encourage you all to read through book V sections ii through vii.
Augustine makes many observations on the relation between true knowledge
ABOUT the world and the relation with the MAKER of that world. His
description of Faustus presenting known errors under the name of a man led
by the Spirit certainly must make us think.
Al McCarrick