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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
It is necessary to "believe that He is," not "what He is." If "that He is" needs Faith, and not reasonings; it is impossible to comprehend by reasoning "what He is." If that "He is a rewarder" needs Faith and not reasonings, how is it possible by Reasoning to compass His essence? For what Reasoning can reach this? For some persons say that the things that exist are self-caused. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
If anyone does not believe that there is recompense for the good and the evil, he will not please God. For how can anyone walk the difficult path of virtue without being convinced that in the age to come there are varied and lasting recompenses? Listen to what follows as well. That God exists and that He rewards — this we hold by faith, for some assert that everything that exists exists by itself; but what He is in essence is completely incomprehensible to those of sound mind. What does "those who seek Him" mean? …
Oecumenius
"But without faith, it is impossible to please Him." For if someone does not believe in the payment of good deeds and evils, he would not please. For who would tread the laborious path of virtue, not being convinced that there are rewards? "For he who comes to God must believe that He is." It is not about what it is, nor about examining His essence, but one must only believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek it.
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
575. – He states the minor, saying: And without faith it is impossible to please God: 'Faith is agreeable to him' (Sir. 1:34); 'For we account a man to be justified by faith' (Rom. 3:28). He proves the minor when he says, Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists. But no one can please God without coming to him: 'Draw near to God and he will draw near to you' (Jas. 4:8); 'Draw nigh to him and be enlightened' (Ps. 33:5). But no one draws near to God except by faith, because faith is a light of the intellect. …
Bonaventure
If there could be no doubt concerning this truth, that God exists, there would be no merit in believing it: but this is the principle of all merit, to believe that God exists, because it is said in Hebrews 11: He who approaches must believe that He exists. …
Disputed Questions on the Mystery of the Trinity, Question 1 ↗
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