繼教宗良十三世的《永恆之父》（Aeterni Patris, 1879）通諭之後，聖若望保祿二世教宗於1998年簽署公布《信仰與理性》（Fides et Ratio），這是教會又一有關哲學的通諭。由這兩篇通諭可管窺基督徒從信仰角度之於哲學與文化省思的轉變與發展，特別是透過《信仰與理性》，能看到教會對於跨文化及宗教交談如何步武了梵蒂岡第二次大公會議，並由此預見可能衍生出一些哲學、神學理論之蛻變革新。《信仰與理性》穩立於教會千百年來所樹立的傳統思維，又以微妙深湛的手法持續推動本地化與普世價值的融合，不但符應教會真正的大公本質，同時也和多元化世界與時並進，其影響不可謂不鉅，值得持續投注相當的關注。

Following Aeterni Patris (1879), Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, St. Pope John Paul II signed Fides et Ratio in 1998. This is another encyclical in terms of philosophy announced by the Church. There can be observed from both encyclicals the transformation and the development of how the Christians view the philosophy and the culture. Fides et Ratio, stepping on the track set by the Second Vatican Council, manifests especially how the Church facing cross-culture issue and interreligious dialogue. It can be foreseen certain reformation of philosophy and theology would come about within the Church. By a subtle and delicate way, Fides et Ratio is transforming the traditional way of thinking formed by the Church throughout the centuries. It continues the work of integrating inculturation and the universal value of the Church, advancing the Church to achieve Its authentic universality, and making the Church progress together with this diverse world. Its enormous influence is worth to be addressed.