The Proper Meaning of Intellect in Ibn Sin and Edwards Theology and Its Relation to Faith

This paper is aiming to show that albeit Ibn Sina as Peripatetic philosopher, was ascribed to Aristotle, has used some new principles like Active Intellect, Intuitive and Sacred Intellect in his rational theological system that his philosophy has been separated from Aristotelian thought. From one hand, Jonathan Edwards, as the Father of New England Theology, meanwhile more emphasizing on faithfulness process of the heart and direct opposition to extreme Deistic rationalism, has never reject the role of intellect in the process of faith, but he beliefs that rational faith has some obstacles that is removed by divine grace. In this approach neither Ibn Sina can be considered as mere rationalist in the process of faith, nor Edwards as mere fideism due to his obligation to heart. Meantime, for Ibn Sina, intellect provides the process of faith and faith also travels in rational way, while Edwards, firstly, believes that faith is related to heart, since faith concerns with practical obligation, although intellect due to its utilizing of revelation, participate of faith.