Can intelligent people today have faith in God? What exactly is faith? This article explains that faith is trust. And there is enough evidence to trust in God.
What is faith? How can one truly have faith in God? Can intelligent people today have faith in God? Is the Christian faith rational? Must people reject reason in order to have faith? What does the Bible say about finding faith in God? These are among many questions asked by people today in light of the modern age.
What Is Faith?
The book of Hebrews defines faith as the "substance of things hoped for" and the "evidence of things unseen." (Hebrews 11:1) What exactly does that mean?
Have you ever been skydiving? If so, you understand faith. You hope that the parachute will open, when it's time for it to open. Even though you've prepped and double-checked the chute, you don't know for sure that it will open, because you haven't yet seen it open. (Mabye you saw it open on previous jumps, but the jump you're presently taking is the one that matters most to you, and you won't see it open - until it does).
Faith is a decision to trust the parachute. And that is what faith is, no matter the example. It is a decision to trust.
What about "Blind Faith"?
Blind faith is when you have been given no rational or tangible reason to trust somebody or trust in something, and yet you do anyway. You simply decide to trust, even though you've seen no evidence to lead you to that decision.
With blind faith, there is either no evidence to speak of or there is a refusal to look at or consider any evidence that might be available. It is, quite simply, an irrational faith.
Does Christianity Call for Blind Faith?
Many people are under the false impression that Christianity rests completely on faith, and they associate such faith with "blind faith." In other words, many people say that Christianity in particular (or religion in general) is simply a matter of faith, and is wholly incompatible with science, history, logic, or common sense. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Here's a sampling of what the Bible says on the subject:
- First, the book of Proverbs is replete with admonitions to increase in knowledge and wisdom.
- The apostle Paul told the church at Thessalonica to "prove all things" and "hold fast [to] that which is good." (I Thessalonians 5:21) In other words, don't just believe things blindly.
- The writer of Acts praises the Berean Christians for "searching the Scriptures" to verify that what the apostles were teaching them was consistent with the Old Testament laws and prophecies. (Acts 17:11) In fact, the Bereans were contrasted with the more gullible Thessalonians.
- Finally, Paul told Timothy to "study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed..." (II Timothy 2:15) In other words, never stop learning.
Bottom line...God doesn't want mindless Christians claiming to follow Him. God expects people to think, which is why He gave people a brain.
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For more information, see the following:
"Reasons to Believe in God" by Brian Tubbs at Suite101 Protestantism
"How to Have Faith" by Brian Tubbs at Suite101 Protestantism
"Books for Christians in Doubt" by Brian Tubbs at Suite101 Protestantism
or try these books....
Examine the Evidence by Ralph O. Muncaster
No Doubt About it by Winfried Corduan
Is the New Testament Reliable? by Paul Barnett
Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
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