Lucretius the Father of Rationalism

"The rationalist spirit has never found a higher or more profound expression than in the work of Lucretius." p. 140

"But inasmuch as Greek rationalism tended to replace traditional religion, it became itself a religion, and a religion of a very high order. Greek rationalism finds its ultimate expression in Logos worship--in the deification of intelligence as the supreme cosmic principle." p. 143

This Greek primacy of truth becomes the hallmark for Christianity--true religion and right worship--against superstition.

Dawson, Enquiries "Rationalism and Intellectualism", (Sheed and Ward: New York 1933)
(In this google book link the citations are p. 115 and 116.)

Notice in this regard what Pope Benedict says in Jesus of Nazareth, vol. I.

"It is of the very essence of biblical faith to be about real historical events. It does not tell stories symbolizing suprahistorical truths, but is based on history, history that took place here on this earth. The factum historicum (historical fact) is not an interchangeable symbolic cipher for biblical faith, but the foundation on which it stands: Et incarnatus est--when we say these words, we acknowledge God's actual entry into real history." xv