The Freedom of Understanding the Causative Nature of God

God is the ultimate standard of truth. Grounding our lives in the objective reality of His will brings freedom, stability, and peace.

A heartfelt approach to faith in service runs deeply in every Dominican priest. Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P., Professor of Patristics and Director of the Doctoral Program, a dedicated preacher and Dominican House of Studies alumnus, manifests these traits with every action. His journey to the priesthood, dedication to teaching and pastoral ministry, and reflections on God’s truth and human freedom reveal a life devoted to guiding others toward clarity, purpose, and hope. Through his work, he offers a vision that is both timeless and deeply relevant to contemporary struggles.

Developing Faith

Fr. Hofer’s path to the priesthood was shaped by a deep love for God and a desire to serve. Raised in a devout Catholic family, he recalls how the seeds of his vocation were planted early. “My parents were my first teachers in the faith,” he shared, emphasizing the role of family in nurturing spiritual life. His parents’ example of prayer and devotion created a strong foundation.

They laid a foundation of faith so deeply rooted that he always felt he would ultimately become a priest. Even though the idea of the priesthood was on his mind for as long as he can remember, he never mentioned it to his family for fear that it would become a prideful pursuit.

During his college years, he seriously began to discern his call to the priesthood. The deeper his faith grew through religious study, the more convinced he became that sharing the gospel was his only avenue to find fulfillment.

“There was this sense that God was inviting me to something more,” Fr. Hofer said. Drawn to the Dominican Order, known for its emphasis on preaching and teaching, he found a community where he could fully dedicate himself to God’s work.

Ironically, after telling his family, he learned they had always known he would become a priest, too. Everyone had chosen to allow his decision to be reliant upon God’s hand and free from earthly influence. He learned that his grandmother was a significant influence.

“She prayed for me to become a priest my whole life,” Fr. Hofer said, marveling at her unwavering faith and hope.

His rigorous intellectual and spiritual formation at the Dominican House of Studies further cemented his vocation. Studying philosophy and theology allowed him to deepen his understanding of the faith and prepare for the mission of guiding others.

“The Dominicans’ charism of seeking truth in all things was a perfect fit for me,” he explained.

A Clear Mission

Today, Fr. Hofer is deeply involved in teaching and pastoral ministry. As a professor, he inspires students to engage with the richness of Catholic theology. “Theology is not just an academic exercise,” he said. “It’s a way of growing closer to God.”

He also dedicates himself to pastoral care, walking alongside people in their joys and struggles. Whether offering spiritual direction or celebrating the sacraments, Fr. Hofer’s work reflects his commitment to bringing God’s grace into the lives of others.

In addition to these responsibilities, Fr. Hofer plays a significant role as the Student Master of Deacons at St. Dominic’s Priory, also located in Washington, D.C. Fr. Hofer’s involvement includes teaching, mentoring seminarians, and contributing to the institution’s ongoing mission. “The Dominican House of Studies has been foundational in shaping who I am as a priest and a teacher,” he noted.

The knowledge he acquired here has shaped his unquenchable desire to participate in the vital role of forming future leaders of the Church.

God is the Standard

A central theme in Fr. Hofer’s theology is the contrast between divine objectivity and human subjectivity. He explains, “God knows things, and they come to be. We know things because they are. So God is causative, we are receptive.” This understanding of God as the ultimate standard is liberating, Fr. Hofer argues, because it grounds human life in something greater than individual desires or societal trends.

Fr. Hofer’s perspective offers a refreshing counterpoint in a world where subjectivity often reigns supreme. “Today, there’s such an emphasis on subjectivity that you can choose to be, try to be whatever you want, and that you have some sort of right where everybody then should support you in whatever desire you have,” he observed. “Well, that’s really just not true. That’s not real.”

He warns that this detachment from objective truth can lead to significant struggles. “People can get into terrible binds. People can get into all sorts of difficulties,” he said. By contrast, embracing God as the source of truth and the creator of nature offers clarity and purpose. “God creates nature and saves with the gift of grace,” Fr. Hofer affirmed, emphasizing the harmony between creation and salvation.

Freedom Through Truth

For Fr. Hofer, understanding God as the standard is not about imposing restrictions but discovering true freedom. “It’s freeing for us to recognize that we are not the ultimate arbiters of reality,” he said. This freedom comes from aligning our lives with the objective reality of God’s will and design.

He contrasted this vision with the contemporary culture of self-definition, where individuals often feel pressured to create their own identity and purpose. “When we try to define ourselves apart from God, it’s like building a house on sand,” Fr. Hofer explained. “But when we acknowledge God as the foundation, we find stability and peace.”

A Message of Hope

As a Dominican priest, Fr. Hofer’s mission is ultimately one of hope. Through his teaching, preaching, and pastoral care, he invites others to encounter the transformative power of God’s grace. His reflections on objectivity and freedom resonate deeply in a world searching for meaning.

“God’s truth is not a burden but a gift,” he said. We can live lives of greater authenticity and joy by embracing this truth. Fr. Hofer’s life and ministry are a testament to this reality, offering a beacon of light to those navigating the complexities of modern life.

If contemplating Fr. Hofer’s experiences and teachings compels you to support DHS in our endeavors to help individuals in this confused world find clarity and freedom in God’s word, please click here to support this work.