Ever since Christ saved me (2012), I have been considering the answer to that question.
Oh, sorry, wait a minute, let me clarify, the question I have been considering is "What is Faith?".
I do think that faith is rational, since in my understanding faith is a gift from One rational being to another. Ephesians 2:8
1 Peter 1:5 informs us that God has a purpose in giving the gift of faith.
Faith is necessary for the children. of God.
Throughout my time of following after God, I have considered faith as a muscle; something I need to exercise, to strengthen, to nourish and to grow. This is done by reading the Bible, memorizing Scripture, ordering my life in such a way as to be in accordance with or agreement with how the Bible instructs the children of God to live. Obedience.
I love Mr. Rod Rosenbladt's description of faith being a 3-legged stool - Knowledge, Ascent (belief), and Trust (confidence). This has been a great help to me as I seek to grow in my understanding of God's Word.
The other question:
“Out of all the religions of the world, why do you believe in the Bible and in Jesus?”
Someone was talking about faith, whether in a sermon or lecture, I don't remember. What they pointed out is that when the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, it produces faith after its same kind. More accurately, when the Apostles preached the Good News of Jesus Christ, God used that preaching to call people to Himself and the Holy Spirit worked the same gifts, that He works, in all the elect, in those who heard, and it has been the good pleasure of God, of The Godhead to perpetuate that life cycle bringing glory to Himself. The Holy Spirit is the agent; when the Holy Spirit does His work in a person, that person bears His - God's resemblance - our understanding is no longer darkened, we know and understand truth, our affections are changed; we love God and want to see Him glorified, we are no longer under the dominion of sin. I mean these are only a sampling of the testimony of the Word of God in the NT. In some peoples lives' this can be very dramatic.
As I continued to look at this, I discovered that it is true. That all throughout the New Testament record, no matter which apostle or what country, The Holy Spirit of God reproduced people after His own kind - and this action continues to this day. I am a reproduction of the working of The Spirit of Truth! And I am so excited about that!
Thank you for your podcast and all the work you put into it.
I look forward hearing upcoming episodes and to reading your article.
Interesting. In the opening quotes I just noticed a "one of these is not like the others".
Whereas, almost all of the other quotes are some take on "faith is belief in the absence of evidence", one of those people quoted has observed a worthy nuance. She says (instead) "Faith is belief in the absence of proof".
I don't believe that quote is perfect, but it does at least observe a truth -- not that faith stands in opposition to reason, but that it does stand in opposition to knowing.
“I know that I’m grabbing air…” … hilarious. Awesome episode, and so good to be reminded of the importance of clarifying what true biblical faith really is, and what follows is how firm a foundation we have put our faith in…
I like the question. Thank you for the question.
Ever since Christ saved me (2012), I have been considering the answer to that question.
Oh, sorry, wait a minute, let me clarify, the question I have been considering is "What is Faith?".
I do think that faith is rational, since in my understanding faith is a gift from One rational being to another. Ephesians 2:8
1 Peter 1:5 informs us that God has a purpose in giving the gift of faith.
Faith is necessary for the children. of God.
Throughout my time of following after God, I have considered faith as a muscle; something I need to exercise, to strengthen, to nourish and to grow. This is done by reading the Bible, memorizing Scripture, ordering my life in such a way as to be in accordance with or agreement with how the Bible instructs the children of God to live. Obedience.
I love Mr. Rod Rosenbladt's description of faith being a 3-legged stool - Knowledge, Ascent (belief), and Trust (confidence). This has been a great help to me as I seek to grow in my understanding of God's Word.
The other question:
“Out of all the religions of the world, why do you believe in the Bible and in Jesus?”
Someone was talking about faith, whether in a sermon or lecture, I don't remember. What they pointed out is that when the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, it produces faith after its same kind. More accurately, when the Apostles preached the Good News of Jesus Christ, God used that preaching to call people to Himself and the Holy Spirit worked the same gifts, that He works, in all the elect, in those who heard, and it has been the good pleasure of God, of The Godhead to perpetuate that life cycle bringing glory to Himself. The Holy Spirit is the agent; when the Holy Spirit does His work in a person, that person bears His - God's resemblance - our understanding is no longer darkened, we know and understand truth, our affections are changed; we love God and want to see Him glorified, we are no longer under the dominion of sin. I mean these are only a sampling of the testimony of the Word of God in the NT. In some peoples lives' this can be very dramatic.
As I continued to look at this, I discovered that it is true. That all throughout the New Testament record, no matter which apostle or what country, The Holy Spirit of God reproduced people after His own kind - and this action continues to this day. I am a reproduction of the working of The Spirit of Truth! And I am so excited about that!
Thank you for your podcast and all the work you put into it.
I look forward hearing upcoming episodes and to reading your article.
Interesting. In the opening quotes I just noticed a "one of these is not like the others".
Whereas, almost all of the other quotes are some take on "faith is belief in the absence of evidence", one of those people quoted has observed a worthy nuance. She says (instead) "Faith is belief in the absence of proof".
I don't believe that quote is perfect, but it does at least observe a truth -- not that faith stands in opposition to reason, but that it does stand in opposition to knowing.
“I know that I’m grabbing air…” … hilarious. Awesome episode, and so good to be reminded of the importance of clarifying what true biblical faith really is, and what follows is how firm a foundation we have put our faith in…