What is Faith?

     This a very comprehensive question for there are several views as to the answer.  One such view is metaphysical (highly abstract, subtle, even abstruse), another is; what is the psychological nature of the act or state of the mind that we designate faith, or belief?  Considering the psychological nature and any discussion of faith pertains to the philosopher as much as it does to the theologian.  Faith may be viewed as to its workings in the sphere of morality or of the whole of religion.  For Christians it is considered as grace, or the fruit of the Spirit; in other words, that which is peculiar to regenerated people of God and in this case that is what is meant by saving grace.  Now, it may be viewed in its exercise to justification, sanctification, and holy living.  In that sense they are conjoined to special exercises of faith that are required as the necessary conditions for the sinner to accept or be accepted by God; essential to holiness of heart and life.  When I use the word: "exercise(s)" I shudder in its misuse for some (far too many) the word "exercise" brings on some manifestation, or outward expression of faith that is supposed related to faith; i.e., drunken preacher rousing the crowd, or special revelations, uncontrolled laughing, or barking like a dog, things such as those that are manifested in some churches.  This is not what are special exercises of faith; we shall illuminate on those exercises to obtain a true understanding of faith.  Before I move forward in this blog let me add that there are two forms of faith: (1) saving faith; (2) common faith.  As I proceed I will address each one of those two aspects as many questions have arisen due to misunderstanding of those terms.  

     This subject may seem unnecessary to some for they suppose that they have faith, saving faith, and most likely that is true.  Yet, they have a limited understanding exactly what is faith?  Allow this: Saving faith is not blind faith, it is not faith in faith.  Saving faith is a gift from God, you cannot earn faith by any work that one may engage in, even so-called Christian work, i.e., Sunday School teacher, music leader, pastor, etc.  You may believe this is true that you had something to do to receive or have faith.  If that is so, then you just destroy the Doctrine of Total Depravity making it unnecessary for Christ to die on the cross, His intercession in invalid if we can choose faith within ourselves.  Common grace or faith is just that, all, both the good and the bad receive both grace for it rains on both the good and the bad, etc. and within their nature they can have a measure of faith, i.e., crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, etc.  As you can see there is lot more to know about this thing called: faith.

     The first of the special exercises necessary is of a psychological nature inasmuch as faith in its widest sense is an assent to the truth.  It is the mind that is giving permission that a thing is true.  Therefore, we believe whatever we regard as true.  Here is an example: Mormonism is based on lies and major falsehoods (you may think that I am overstepping here by using such an example, let me assure you, I am not) as their very own religions book, the Book of Mormon, attests falsely that there were certain inhabitants on this continent and where they originated, only the DNA proves that this is false, and there are no artifacts of those people to be found (no nation does not leave something of their existence behind), yet they have millions of people claiming that they have the truth and have placed their faith in such a religion.  As I so often explain: your beliefs, no matter from what source they originate, determine your theology, and your theology determines your religion, your religion determines your character, and finally, your character determines how a person will act towards God's will, even your separate actions that you may think are morally faithful.  

     Trust is the primary element of faith.  It is a state of mind employed when making a covenant for that state of faith is supposed or required, as in having confidence in a person or thing as being trustworthy.  Belief is a rule of life that one lives by, governed by, or directs the life; it is necessary to take, to accept, assume or even adopt as the rule to govern your life.  You think, deem, or judge a thing right; you are fully persuaded and give credit to as to trust, or think trustworthy for you have given faith or confidence, even confided in some cases, that what you deem, think, etc. is faithful.  It is then imperative that anything to be taken as trustworthy to be believed or have your faith, it is important that the thing desired is truthful as you shall put your trust in that thing.

     Then from that hypothesis it may be seen that the primary idea of faith is trust.  The primary idea of truth is that it is trustworthy, it can appertain our expectations and does not disappoint because it is actually what it claims itself to be.  There is no deceit found in it and is opposed to being false, it is not unreal or empty, void, worthless.  Therefore to regard something as true it must be trustworthy as being what it purports itself to be. With that being said, faith is comprehensive and legitimately denoted as trust.  It is first and foremost, trust. 

     It is belief, the starting point as to how we act upon God's will, that admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest of assurances.  Belief is the most necessary element in faith, its most important ingredient.  In fact we give names to any evidence that is the ground of belief.  We distinguish evidence into different compartments, such as, the evidence of consciousness, the evidence of testimony, the evidence of axioms, or the evidence of reasoning.  All these compartments agree in one hing as they are all fitted by nature to produce belief in the human mind.

     If faith is a necessary part of life, and it is, then to acquire faith in the right way, from the right source, a truthful source is most important.  Paul the Apostle writes: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17 NKJV).  The starting point of our belief is the Word of God, daily reading, and reading aloud, even to yourself, for it is hearing the Word, not just some mental mind absorbing reading as though you are reading a novel.  Reading God's word will change the way you think, you will think the thoughts of God, the old man will be put asunder by His Word and the illumination given by the Holy Spirit as you spend time studying, reading and applying His principle and commands for His bride.  

   This blog may seem deep and in some sense it is, yet, if we are to grow we must dig down, move the dirt away and find the good soil and ask the right questions, we move from the milk of the Word to the meat.  Great journey, your faith considered will change you from inside out, others will notice, the light of Christ will shine through you, Christ will be seen by the way you act according to His will.  The next thing to consider is whether or not faith is simply a Christian grace?

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight (and yours). O LORD, my strength and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14). 

In Christ 

Richard L. Crumb