Mission Field International

Biblical Faith

What is the nature of biblical faith? Is it believing what you do not know? Hoping what you
cannot prove? Is it a "leap in the dark," going further than the evidence? Many religious folk
have that concept of faith. Is faith related to reason, or divorced from it? What concept does
the Bible offer?

There are two extremes which must be avoided in studying Gods word: (1) reason alone,
and (2) revelation alone. The proper relationship is that of reason and revelation. That is to
say that, if God had not revealed Himself to us at all, then we could never have awareness
either of God Himself or His Word. But, to come to an awareness of each, we must use our
rational powers (God-given powers, of course) to come to know that He is, and that He has
communicated His will to us!

Though many (some within the church as well) believe some sort of separation between
faith and reason, such is not true in reality. Faith and reason are to be distinguished, but not
separated! To illustrate what I mean by this, consider the following example relating to the
mind and the body. The body is not the mind; neither is the mind the body. But, they are
inseparably joined together in this present mode of existence. They can be distinguished, but
never separated. For instance, the body has size, mass, color, shape, etc. The mind,
however, has no size, no mass, no color, no shape, etc. We might speak of your body being
located in a certain place at a given time. But, we would never think of saying, "that act of
thinking is precisely six inches above, and slightly behind your previous act of decision."
Similarly, faith and reason are distinct, but not separate! Both are absolutely necessary to
Christianity, though each must, of course, operate within its proper sphere. Faith is
essentially an act of both the intellect and the will, whereas reason is primarily an act of the
intellect.

To start, I will define faith as it is used in the Scriptures. The word family pistis and pisteuo
is related to the term peitho. They are used 244, 248, and 55 times respectively in Scripture.
The verb pisteuo has primary reference to the act of faith, while the noun form more clearly
depicts what faith means at all. Liddell and Scott partially define the noun as follows: "a
means of persuasion, an argument, proof" (Greek-English Lexicon, p. 561.). Peitho, in the
active voice means, "to be fully persuaded, believe, trust: of things, to be believed" (Ibid., p.
539). At the very least, the terms imply a prior understanding (i.e., a knowledge) of what is
to be believed or trusted. In other words, faith is based upon a foundation of knowledge.
And, without that foundation of knowledge, faith (in the Biblical sense) cannot exist!
Moreover, faith can lead one to a greater expression of and a deepening of knowledge as
well.

Scripture records at least seven different ways in which the term "faith" is used, five of
which (the first five in the following list) play an indispensable role in man's salvation. First,
it is used often simply as "belief" (see John 12:42; Heb. 11:6). Second, faith sometimes
means "trust" (John 14:1; Rom. 4:17-20; Luke 7:1-10). Third, it frequently refers to
"obedience" (Num. 20:12; John 3:36, ASV; Heb. 10:39; Rom. 1:5, 8; 16:25-26). Fourth, it
refers also to steadfastness, loyalty, or "faithfulness" (Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:9; Heb. 10:23, 38;
Rev. 2:10). Fifth, it is used objectively to refer to the content of faith; here, it is termed "the
faith" (Rom. 10:9; Jude 3; Gal. 1:11, 23). Sixth, faith is sometimes used of a strong personal
conviction (Rom. 14:2, 23). Seventh, faith is also sometimes used of a spiritual gift (1 Cor.
12:8-9; Matt. 17:20; 1 Cor. 13:2). Though some would quickly turn to Heb. 11:1 and
assume that it is a comprehensive definition of faith, it is in reality a description of a
particular type of faith, namely, saving faith. Foundation faith (awareness of God's existence,
the inspiration of Scripture, etc.) is necessary before one can even begin to discuss saving
faith.

Though faith is sometimes contrasted with sight (2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:1; but, compare John
20:29 for an exception), doubt (James 1:6; but, compare also Matt. 14:3; 21:21), and the
deeds of the law (Rom. 3:28; Gal. 3:2-5), it is never contrasted with knowledge so as to
imply a separation. Any conception of faith that severs it from its objective, (i.e., foundation
of knowledge) is at variance with Biblical teaching. Biblically speaking, one does not believe
that God is (or any other thing to be accepted "by faith") (1) against the evidence; (2)
without evidence; or, (3) beyond the evidence. Instead, one believes upon the basis of
evidence sufficient to establish the conclusion. This is what one means by "rational belief."

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thes. 5:21)

Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.
(Isaiah 41:21)

The truths taught in both of these passages are incumbent upon each of us who would
proclaim and defend the truth of the gospel!

Because of faith in God's word, I can know numerous things of which I would otherwise be
ignorant (e.g. about heaven, hell, the church, angels, the cross, etc.). Thus, true faith
actually extends my real knowledge. How do I know Jesus died on the cross? Because the
Bible says so. How do I know the Bible is trustworthy? Because of the conclusive evidence it
is God's word.

God has to exist before I can think about Him, but I have to think (i.e. logically) before I can
find God. Finding God is where reason comes in. Committing to God is where faith comes in.
Thus, faith builds on reason's foundation.

I make the point that faith is "a willing commitment to a known truth."

Now, how would that work for future events in which we are to place our faith (see for
instance, Rom. 4:18-25)? Well, Abraham knew (1) how God had dealt with his past, and (2)
how God was dealing with his present, which gave him (3) confident trust in how God would
deal with his future (for which promises had been made). In other words, Abraham's faith
was still based upon his knowledge of God's faithfulness and his relationship with God! This
holds true for all those mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11(the great faith chapter.)

I don't see how faith can be divorced from reason given that "faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

I don't believe that the faith the Bible speaks of, and the faith that we should have is a blind
faith. Faith has to be based on something. Biblical faith is based on the hearing and the
understanding of God's word. The understanding of God's word requires reason. We have
faith that God will provide for us those things we need to sustain life. The reason we have
that faith is because the Bible tells us that if we seek "first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) Upon reading that
verse, we reason that if we seek above all things to be pleasing to God, we won't have to
worry about the necessities of life. Also, in order for faith, once established, to grow we
need to keep studying God's word "for we walk by faith, and not by sight." (2 Corinthians
5:7)

No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and
that he rewards those who seek him. Heb. 11:6 (GW)

With out faith (knowledge of, or knowing God) you can not please Him.
It would stand to reason that you can not please anyone that you do not know or have some
knowledge of.

If someone says that they have "faith," I ask, "faith in what?" If they reply, I just have faith,
they really have no faith at all, faith is not mystical it is a substance. If there is no prior
understanding (knowledge), then no faith is possible at all!

The proper way to think of this is to arrange three Bible terms in their proper order. It is first
truth; then, it is a knowledge of the truth; and finally, it is a commitment to and trust in that
truth that constitutes faith. Faith is built upon a foundation of knowledge, which, in turn, is
built upon a foundation of truth.

John 8:31-32 (NASB95)
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word,
then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."