Faith

Faith refers to any of a number of different things:

• Confidence or trust in a greater good;
• Loyalty: To be faithful, as in keeping one's commitments (e.g. "She was a faithful wife");
• Trust: To have faith that a person will keep their commitments (e.g. "I have faith in you");
• Commitment to reason: “Faith... is the art of holding on to things your reason once accepted, despite your changing moods.”
• Belief without evidence;

Etymology

Faith is expressed in Greek using the term pistis, and in Latin using the term fides. Faith is mentioned in 229 verses in the New Testament (KJV), but only twice in the much larger Old Testament (KJV).

Faith embodies more than belief in two significant respects. First, faith implies a causal role by the believer in an outcome, as in Peter's walking on water based on his faith or in overcoming a personal fear. Second, faith implies advancement or accomplishment rather than wrongdoing.

Etymologically, the word 'faith' is closely linked to the concept of "fidelity," which emphasizes commitment to something or someone, specifically Christ. Thus, faith is often understood to mean 'loyalty' to a particular view of divinity. Yet, faith can also be envisioned more broadly as a trust in providence, as it entails an active role for the believer himself for advancing good.

Faith is emphasized in Christianity and is unknown or unrecognized by other religions or belief systems.

Biblical examples

Perhaps the greatest description of faith is Hebrews 11. It states: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Jesus observed the powerful healing faith of a Roman centurion: "Assuredly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (Matthew 8:10)

Paul indicated that faith itself is a gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:8-9 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit

Other references are from Genesis 22 where God tested Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. As Abraham prepared to do what God commanded -he was stopped. Genesis 22:12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

Other Definitions and Religions

Islam

The word for "faith" in Islam is "iman." Two hadiths (traditions) describe the Islamic concept of faith:

• "One day while the Prophet [Muhammed] was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Apostle replied, "Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection." Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 1.47, Narrated Abu Huraira

• "A person asked Allah's Messenger [Muhammed] What is faith? He said: When a good deed becomes a source of pleasure for you and an evil deed becomes a source of disgust for you, then you are a believer."

Western Secularism

In Western Secular societies, faith is sometimes misused as a synonym for "belief". The Merriam-Webster dictionary, for example, includes this definition of faith: "a system of religious beliefs."

Alternatively, faith often refers to a "firm belief in something for which there is no evidence" or insufficient evidence. This use, however, is totally absent from the Scriptures. No person in scripture described as being "of faith" believed without evidence. They all had signs, miracles, and the word of God, and were faithful in their trust in God to keep his commitments, as well as their own commitment to keep their commitments to God.