Do you have faith?
Have it to yourself before God.
Happy is he who does not condemn
himself in what he approves.
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats,
because he does not eat from faith;
for whatever is not from faith
is sin.
(Romans 14:22-23).
Faith is such a word that is tossed to and fro and from every wind that blows. It is much confused as to how to understand as to whether or not it is faith or trust for both elements are conjoined. Possibly you have crossed the Golden State Bridge in San Francisco and hardly gave it a thought. Not many if any persons stop before crossing the bridge and determine by faith that it is safe to cross. But is it faith? There is some element of faith associated by proceeding, but for the most part it is trust, we see other cars making the trip across safely, we trust that the bolts are tightened correctly and that the inspection for cracks or other problems have been carefully scrutinized yet for the most part it was the knowledge that the bridge is considered safe and the experience and knowledge causes a person to trust. Faith is more of believing when we don't have the knowledge or experience and we move forward in spite of that lack. If you believe there is a God, how do you know? If you believe Jesus Christ paid for our sins, how do you know? Like crossing the bridge with limited knowledge and believing in the experience of others it can be said that often faith is speculative, in other words you acted after some consideration whether much or small, therefore you acted speculative and in most cases you expect positive results. Simon Magus the magician, or a person of sorcery also believed: "Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done" (Acts 8:13). Unfortunately, Simon tried to do what is being done in many churches today, buy, pay money for the supernatural, i.e., learning how to be supernatural and do miraculous things, have visions, and revelations, healing (God does heal, this is not what is being spoken of here), even raising of the dead, yet Simon was rebuked for even asking: "And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, 'Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.' But Peter said to him, 'Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money" (Acts 8:18-20). Simon later became a gnostic and opposed Peter. Even devils believe. Turning to other religious truths it is more apparent that faith is not necessarily a voluntary assent of the mind. Has this ever happened to you: upon hearing of the victory of an opponent, even an enemy and this is so opposed to your feelings. You first refuse to believe it; but with strong testimony you are forced to have a conviction and this conviction is, by common consent, faith or belief. Did you see it? No! Did you deduce the event? No! It is belief, a conviction founded on the testimony.
Taking the word voluntary as in the sense that implies volition or self-determination, cannot be said to be a voluntary assent. How? A person may be convinced yet convinced against his will; this then is an example how feelings have great influence in determining our faith. A prisoner of war may struggle much against conviction as his interrogators force their will upon him, the prisoner may even determine not to be convinced, and yet in time with the right amount of force the prisoner has the conviction come upon him. He may not at first believe, but he is forced to believe it. In time the unwelcome fact forces the belief. Therefore, a man may believe, even have faith that is not by his own voluntary power. It is not true then that faith is always an election, it may come by another means rather than being determined by any voluntary power. If a man is forced or told to believe and that he can believe if he wills is to contradict his consciousness. He may try to believe, pray for belief and faith, but he cannot exercise faith or belief. This fact is true concerning the gospel, that a man's inability to believe arises from his state of mind. This state of mind lies below the will and cannot be determined or changed by the exercise of any voluntary power. Therefore the definition of faith to be a voluntary assent is an unsatisfactory consideration.
The previous blogs have examined faith on the assumed subjective nature of faith. In other words, placing the emphasis for faith upon the mind of man, that which he has less or more control. We have found that subjective faith is possible and most people have that form of faith. It is not saving faith, that which the Bible teaches us, therefore it is imperative that we examine faith upon the nature of its object. I am laying the ground work for true Biblical faith. This Biblical faith is important if we are to follow what St. Augustine said: "Love God, live life." This life in this temporal world we may allow to impose its definition of faith upon us thereby limiting the live that God allows for His people. We must consider our faith, how that faith has determine our beliefs, and how we act by faith according to His will. A slow journey, but profitable.
"Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in
heaven.
Your faithfulness endures to
all generations;
You established the earth,
and it abides.
Psalm 119:89-90
Be exalted, O LORD, in Your
own strength!
We will sing and praise Your
power. Psalm 22:1
Richard L. Crumb
Taking the word voluntary as in the sense that implies volition or self-determination, cannot be said to be a voluntary assent. How? A person may be convinced yet convinced against his will; this then is an example how feelings have great influence in determining our faith. A prisoner of war may struggle much against conviction as his interrogators force their will upon him, the prisoner may even determine not to be convinced, and yet in time with the right amount of force the prisoner has the conviction come upon him. He may not at first believe, but he is forced to believe it. In time the unwelcome fact forces the belief. Therefore, a man may believe, even have faith that is not by his own voluntary power. It is not true then that faith is always an election, it may come by another means rather than being determined by any voluntary power. If a man is forced or told to believe and that he can believe if he wills is to contradict his consciousness. He may try to believe, pray for belief and faith, but he cannot exercise faith or belief. This fact is true concerning the gospel, that a man's inability to believe arises from his state of mind. This state of mind lies below the will and cannot be determined or changed by the exercise of any voluntary power. Therefore the definition of faith to be a voluntary assent is an unsatisfactory consideration.
The previous blogs have examined faith on the assumed subjective nature of faith. In other words, placing the emphasis for faith upon the mind of man, that which he has less or more control. We have found that subjective faith is possible and most people have that form of faith. It is not saving faith, that which the Bible teaches us, therefore it is imperative that we examine faith upon the nature of its object. I am laying the ground work for true Biblical faith. This Biblical faith is important if we are to follow what St. Augustine said: "Love God, live life." This life in this temporal world we may allow to impose its definition of faith upon us thereby limiting the live that God allows for His people. We must consider our faith, how that faith has determine our beliefs, and how we act by faith according to His will. A slow journey, but profitable.
"Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in
heaven.
Your faithfulness endures to
all generations;
You established the earth,
and it abides.
Psalm 119:89-90
Be exalted, O LORD, in Your
own strength!
We will sing and praise Your
power. Psalm 22:1
Richard L. Crumb
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