Understanding Faith: A Perspective Inspired by Scripture

> Faith is a cornerstone of Christian belief, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood concepts in both secular and religious circles. The whole concept of faith is one of the most misunderstood ideas that we have, misunderstood not only by the world but by the church itself.

Common Misunderstandings of Faith

There are several common misunderstandings of faith that often arise in both secular and religious contexts:

1. Blind Faith: One prevalent misconception is that faith is completely irrational or blind, implying belief without evidence or in the face of contrary evidence. Many people think faith requires the rejection of reason and intellect, but in many religious traditions, faith and reason are seen as complementary.
2. Wishful Thinking: Some people view faith as mere wishful thinking or naive optimism—hoping for the best without any grounding in reality. This perspective undermines the substantial grounding that many faith traditions encourage in both personal experience and communal history.
3. Static Belief: Faith is sometimes seen as a static, unchanging belief system that resists any doubt or questioning. In reality, for many believers, faith is a dynamic and evolving journey that involves periods of doubt, questioning, and growth.
4. Emotional Crutch: Another misunderstanding is that faith is simply an emotional crutch for people who are weak or unable to handle life’s challenges. This view overlooks the strength, resilience, and sense of purpose that faith can provide.
5. Opposition to Science: Some people believe that faith and science are inherently opposed to each other. However, many religious individuals find no conflict between their faith and scientific understanding, seeing them as addressing different aspects of human knowledge. Science explains the “what” questions of the world, while faith addresses answers to the “why” questions.
6. Only a Personal Matter: Faith is often misconstrued as purely a private, individual matter. While personal belief is a component, many faith traditions emphasize the importance of community, social justice, and collective practice.
7. Unquestioning Acceptance: There’s a common belief that faith requires accepting religious teachings without any critical examination. In contrast, many religious traditions encourage study, dialogue, and critical thinking as part of a robust faith life. Christians regard Holy Scripture as their highest authority. Despite varying interpretations, key aspects of the faith are clearly conveyed.

Understanding these misconceptions can help foster a more nuanced and respectful dialogue about the role and nature of faith in people’s lives.

Three Components of Saving Faith

To truly grasp the essence of faith, we must examine its components:

1. Notitia: The Content of Faith

Faith is not blind; it has content. The Apostle Paul writes, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). This intellectual awareness of the Gospel message is crucial. As the Heidelberg Catechism states, “True faith is not only a knowledge and conviction that everything God reveals in his Word is true; it is also a deep-rooted assurance” (Q&A 21).

Without knowledge of God’s truth, as revealed through creation, conscience, and the Bible, no amount of sincerity can save us from God’s judgment.

2. Assensus: Intellectual Assent

Beyond mere awareness of the facts, faith involves agreeing that the content is indeed true. James reminds us, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19). This highlights that intellectual understanding alone is insufficient for saving faith.

3. Fiducia: Personal Trust

The crucial element of saving faith is personal trust. It’s not enough to know about Christ or even to believe that what the Bible says about Him is true. One must place their trust in Him for salvation. As the Westminster Confession of Faith puts it, the principal acts of saving faith are “accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life” (Chapter XIV, Section II).

Imagine Sarah, for example, a participant in a corporate retreat, standing with her back to a group of her colleagues. She’s been working with these colleagues for a few years and has built a strong, supportive relationship with them. The facilitator asks Sarah to close her eyes and fall backward, trusting that her colleagues will catch her. Despite the natural urge to brace for impact, Sarah trusts her team and lets herself fall. Her colleagues, prepared and coordinated, catch her safely, reinforcing the mutual trust and camaraderie in the group.

This exercise illustrates how trust enables individuals to take risks, knowing that their supportive environment will be there to back them up.

Martin Luther emphasized this personal aspect of faith: “Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.”

“Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.”

The Wholeness of Faith

True saving faith encompasses the whole person – mind, heart, and will. As Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). This holistic view of faith aligns with the biblical understanding of human nature as an integrated whole. True saving faith encompasses the whole person – mind, heart, and will.

The mind is engaged in understanding the content of the Gospel; the heart is moved to believe the truth claims of the Gospel, and above all; the will is directed to place our personal trust and reliance on the Gospel. This tri-fold engagement reflects the comprehensive nature of genuine faith, which is not merely intellectual assent, emotional fervor, or a volitional act alone, but a harmonious unity of all three.

Further, faith manifests in the will through the obedience to God’s commands. James emphatically states that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26), reminding us that true faith invariably produces actions in accordance with God’s righteous standards. These works are not the basis of our salvation but the evidence of a faith that is alive and active within us.

Thus, true saving faith is marked by a comprehensive transformation that involves our entire being. It calls us to think rightly about God, to feel deeply for Him, and to act obediently towards Him. This integrated approach to faith ensures that we are not compartmentalized Christians, but rather whole-hearted followers of Christ, reflecting the wholeness and integration that Scripture envisions for us.

The Power of Faith

While we emphasize the components of faith, we must remember that faith itself is a gift from God. Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Moreover, the object of our faith – Christ and His finished work – is of utmost importance. John Calvin noted, “We should ask not only whether we believe, but more importantly, what we believe.” The power of faith lies not in the act of believing itself, but in its object – the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Understanding faith in this comprehensive manner helps us grasp its depth and significance. It’s not merely intellectual assent, nor is it blind trust. Instead, it’s a God-given, life-transforming response to the truth of the Gospel, involving our entire being. As we grow in our understanding of faith, may we echo the words of the man in Mark’s Gospel: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).