“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony” (Hebrews 11:1-2).
We can add to our understanding of genuine Biblical faith by examining what it is not. For instance, some think that faith involves belief without evidence. We might associate that view with “blind faith,” a phrase that describes the kind of faith that has no basis in reality. However, we should not mistake genuine Biblical faith for blind faith. Former homicide detective and Christian case-maker J. Warner Wallace addresses that difference in the following manner…
“Blind Faith: Believing in something WITHOUT any evidence. We hold a blind faith when we accept something even though there is no evidence to support our beliefs. We don’t search for ANY evidence that either supports or refutes what we are determined to believe.
Reasonable Faith: Believing in something BECAUSE of the evidence. We hold a reasonable faith when we believe in something because it is the most reasonable conclusion from the evidence that exists
The Bible repeatedly makes evidential claims. It offers eyewitness accounts of historical events that can be verified archeologically, prophetically and even scientifically. We, as Christians are called to hold a reasonable faith that is grounded in this way.” (1)
Faith is also not a tool that we might use to get something we want. While some may promote “faith” as the pathway to greater financial wealth or material possessions, the New Testament epistle of James explains the problem with that kind of “faith”…
“…You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3 NIV).
Finally, genuine Biblical faith is not faith in the amount of faith we possess. We might refer to this as “faith in our faith.” That ideology serves to prioritize the measure of our faith rather than the God who serves as the object of our faith. Real Biblical faith is not an end to itself; instead, it puts the focus upon the Person in whom we place our faith. As Jesus once said…
“‘…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you'” (Matthew 17:20 NIV).
(1) J. Warner Wallace, Is the Christian Faith Evidentially Reasonable? Retrieved 5 December 2022 from https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-the-christian-faith-evidentially-reasonable/