Difference between revisions of "Faith"
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[[Image:Faith.jpg|right]] | [[Image:Faith.jpg|right]] | ||
| − | '''Faith''' | + | '''Faith''' can have many general meanings, including loyalty, or any belief in something that is not proven. However, in [[Christian]] [[doctrine]], faith has a much more specific meaning: it refers to a confidence or trust in a greater good. [[Jesus]] repeatedly emphasized the importance and value of this kind of faith to his disciples, and [[St Paul]] also has much to say on the subject in his Epistles. Most of this page discusses the Christian meaning of faith; for other uses, see [[#Other Definitions and Religions|Other Definitions and Religions]]. |
| − | '''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. | + | '''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. |
| − | '''Faith''' | + | '''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]]).<ref>http://www.crosswalk.com</ref> In attempt to convert [[Jews]] to [[Christianity]], [[Paul]] described [[Abraham]]'s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son [[Isaac]] to [[God]] as an act of [[faith]], though the [[Old Testament]] did not describe it with that term. |
| − | '''Faith''' is | + | '''Faith''' is strengthened by prayer ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jude%2020;&version=9; Jude 20]). For those who strengthen their faith, [[Jesus]] promised "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."<ref>John 14:12 (NIV).</ref> |
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==Biblical examples== | ==Biblical examples== | ||
| + | A classic statement of faith in the [[Bible]] was by the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] centurion of [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%208:5-10;&version=49; Matthew 8:5-10], who expressed his confidence that [[Jesus]] could cure his servant from a distance without even seeing him. | ||
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."<ref>Hebrews 11:1 (NIV).</ref> | 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."<ref>Hebrews 11:1 (NIV).</ref> | ||
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[[Paul]] indicated that faith itself is a gift of the [[Holy Spirit]]. 1 Corinthians 12:8-9 <i>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</i> | [[Paul]] indicated that faith itself is a gift of the [[Holy Spirit]]. 1 Corinthians 12:8-9 <i>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</i> | ||
| − | As | + | As mentioned above, a potential reference to faith in the Old Testament is [[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 | Genesis 22:12 | ||
| − | <i>"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." </i> | + | <i>"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." </i> However, faith is not specifically mentioned in this passage. |
==Faith as a virtue== | ==Faith as a virtue== | ||
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In [[Dante]]'s [[Divine Comedy]], [[St Peter]] is most identified with faith. This is appropriate, since he was the 'rock' on which the Church was built, just as a Christian life must be rooted in faith. Peter's great faith is shown in Matthew 14:28-31, when he is briefly able to walk on water until doubt enters his mind. | In [[Dante]]'s [[Divine Comedy]], [[St Peter]] is most identified with faith. This is appropriate, since he was the 'rock' on which the Church was built, just as a Christian life must be rooted in faith. Peter's great faith is shown in Matthew 14:28-31, when he is briefly able to walk on water until doubt enters his mind. | ||
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| + | The benefits of faith in everyday life are many: for example, faith plays a central role in overcoming [[addiction]]. Virtually everyone is plagued by one or more addictions, and faith enables those weaknesses to be overcome. Faith is also helpful in overcoming fear, such as fear of public speaking, appearing on [[television]], or standing up to a [[bully]]. | ||
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| + | Opposites of '''faith''' include fear, anxiety, depression and lack of confidence. A lack of faith can be very harmful, leading to self-destructive behavior. | ||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
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| + | == Uniqueness to Christianity == | ||
| + | Christianity is unique among religions in that its followers are defined by faith rather than by adherence to a prescribed code. St Paul makes this distinction clear in Galations 3:24-25: | ||
| + | {{cquote|The law was a kind of tutor in charge of us until Christ should come, when we should be justified through faith; and now that faith has come, the tutor's charge is at an end.}} | ||
| + | That is to say, whereas [[Judaism]] required (and still requires) its followers to obey the law, Christianity begins with faith, and any moral or ethical decisions must follow from that. In this regard, Islam has much more in common with Judaism than Christianity: the word 'Islam' itself means 'submission to God'. | ||
==Martin Luther on Faith== | ==Martin Luther on Faith== | ||
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==Other Definitions and Religions== | ==Other Definitions and Religions== | ||
| − | Outside of [[Christianity]], faith is | + | Outside of [[Christianity]], faith is used as a synonym for "belief". The [[Merriam-Webster]] dictionary, for example, includes this definition of faith: "a system of religious beliefs."<ref>http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/faith</ref> Using the word 'faith' in this way is often problematic and can lead to confusion, as non-Christians (and even some Christians) are often not aware of the distinction between these casual uses of the word and true Christian faith as described above. |
Alternatively, faith often refers to a "firm belief in something for which there is no proof" or evidence. | Alternatively, faith often refers to a "firm belief in something for which there is no proof" or evidence. | ||
Revision as of 21:32, December 8, 2008
Faith can have many general meanings, including loyalty, or any belief in something that is not proven. However, in Christian doctrine, faith has a much more specific meaning: it refers to a confidence or trust in a greater good. Jesus repeatedly emphasized the importance and value of this kind of faith to his disciples, and St Paul also has much to say on the subject in his Epistles. Most of this page discusses the Christian meaning of faith; for other uses, see Other Definitions and Religions.
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.
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).[1] In attempt to convert Jews to Christianity, Paul described Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac to God as an act of faith, though the Old Testament did not describe it with that term.
Faith is strengthened by prayer (Jude 20). For those who strengthen their faith, Jesus promised "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."[2]
Biblical examples
A classic statement of faith in the Bible was by the Roman centurion of Matthew 8:5-10, who expressed his confidence that Jesus could cure his servant from a distance without even seeing him.
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."[3]
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
As mentioned above, a potential reference to faith in the Old Testament is 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." However, faith is not specifically mentioned in this passage.
Faith as a virtue
St Paul identified faith, hope and love (or charity) as the three greatest virtues that are central to Christianity, and this idea is repeated and elaborated upon throughout Christian tradition. Faith is put first because it provides the foundation upon which the other two are built: a faithful heart and mind cause one to have hope, and hope causes one to have love for God and one's fellow man.
In Dante's Divine Comedy, St Peter is most identified with faith. This is appropriate, since he was the 'rock' on which the Church was built, just as a Christian life must be rooted in faith. Peter's great faith is shown in Matthew 14:28-31, when he is briefly able to walk on water until doubt enters his mind.
The benefits of faith in everyday life are many: for example, faith plays a central role in overcoming addiction. Virtually everyone is plagued by one or more addictions, and faith enables those weaknesses to be overcome. Faith is also helpful in overcoming fear, such as fear of public speaking, appearing on television, or standing up to a bully.
Opposites of faith include fear, anxiety, depression and lack of confidence. A lack of faith can be very harmful, leading to self-destructive behavior.
Uniqueness to Christianity
Christianity is unique among religions in that its followers are defined by faith rather than by adherence to a prescribed code. St Paul makes this distinction clear in Galations 3:24-25:
| “ | The law was a kind of tutor in charge of us until Christ should come, when we should be justified through faith; and now that faith has come, the tutor's charge is at an end. | ” |
That is to say, whereas Judaism required (and still requires) its followers to obey the law, Christianity begins with faith, and any moral or ethical decisions must follow from that. In this regard, Islam has much more in common with Judaism than Christianity: the word 'Islam' itself means 'submission to God'.
Martin Luther on Faith
Luther in his Table Talk papers writes this thought provoking and rather difficult passage on faith:
"This is the acme of faith, to believe that God, who saves so few and condemns so many, is merciful; that he is just who, at his own pleasure, has made us necessarily doomed to damnation, so that he seems to delight in the torture of the wretched and is more deserving of hate than of love. If by any effort of reason I could conceive how God, who shows so much anger and harshness, could be merciful and just, there would be no need of faith."
Other Definitions and Religions
Outside of Christianity, faith is used as a synonym for "belief". The Merriam-Webster dictionary, for example, includes this definition of faith: "a system of religious beliefs."[4] Using the word 'faith' in this way is often problematic and can lead to confusion, as non-Christians (and even some Christians) are often not aware of the distinction between these casual uses of the word and true Christian faith as described above.
Alternatively, faith often refers to a "firm belief in something for which there is no proof" or evidence.
In the Koran, the concept of submission to Allah is mentioned 11 times, while the concept of faith in Allah is mentioned only once.
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.
The literary critic Harold Bloom distinguishes Christianity from the other two dominant monotheistic religions in his book Agon by contrasting them with Gnosticism:
"Gnosticism polemically is decidedly not a faith, whether in the Christian sense, pisits, a believing that something was, is, and will be so; or in the Hebraic sense, emunah, a trusting in the Covenant. If religion is a binding, then Gnosticism is an unbinding, but not for the sake of things or persons merely as they are. Gnostic freedom is a freedom for knowledge, knowledge of what in the self, not in the psyche or soul, is Godlike, and knowledge of God beyond the cosmos. But also it is a freedom to be known, to be known by God, by what is alien to everything created, by what is alien to and beyond the stars and the cosmic system and our earth."
Faith is emphasized in Christianity but is unrecognized by the worldview of philosophical skepticism.
References
- ↑ http://www.crosswalk.com
- ↑ John 14:12 (NIV).
- ↑ Hebrews 11:1 (NIV).
- ↑ http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/faith
External links
- Holding, James Patrick, Fallacious Faith
- Finding Faith in Christ, video at JesusChrist.lds.org