Fear as a Catalyst for Faith in Biblical Theology
Fear as a Catalyst for Faith in Biblical Theology
The concept of fear as a catalyst for faith is deeply rooted in biblical theology. The Bible describes fear as a complex emotion that can be both positive and negative, depending on its object and context. In the Old Testament, the "fear of the Lord" is a recurring theme, described as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7 [3]; Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10) [1].
The biblical concept of "fear of the Lord" is not a slavish dread, but rather a filial reverence that is conjoined with love and hope (Deuteronomy 32:6; Hosea 11:1; Isaiah 1:2; 63:16; 64:8) [2]. This fear is characterized as a hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13), wisdom (Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10), and a treasure to saints (Proverbs 15:16; Isaiah 33:6) [1]. It is commanded in both the Old and New Testaments as a preventive of carelessness in religion and as an incentive to penitence (Deuteronomy 13:4; Psalm 22:23; Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Peter 2:17) [2].
The relationship between fear and faith is complex. On one hand, fear can be a motivator for faith, as seen in the example of Noah, who "being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house" (Hebrews 11:7) [4]. On the other hand, excessive fear can be an obstacle to faith, as it can lead to despair and unbelief (Revelation 6:16; 9:6; 16:10) [5].
According to John Calvin, fear and faith are mutually connected, and the former can be a means of repressing presumption and fixing faith in God [6]. Calvin argues that the exhortation to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12) does not contradict the idea that faith is a confident trust in God, but rather serves as a reminder to believers to remain humble and dependent on God [9].
In the view of Thomas Aquinas, fear is an effect of faith, as it arises from the apprehension of penal evils that are inflicted in accordance with the Divine judgment [8]. The early Church Fathers also emphasized the importance of fear in the Christian life, with some arguing that it is a necessary component of faith (ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian) [7].
The biblical concept of fear as a catalyst for faith is not limited to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the apostle Peter exhorts believers to "pass the time of your sojourning here in fear" (1 Peter 1:17), emphasizing the importance of reverence and awe in the Christian life [10]. Similarly, the author of Hebrews encourages believers to "serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Hebrews 12:28).
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fear of the Lord the — Is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Comp. Deut. 32:6; Hos. 11:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Gen. 31:42, 53), i.e., the God whom Isaac feared. A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion, and as an incentive to penitence (Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 5:11; 7:1; Phil. 2:12; Eph. 5:21; Heb. 12:28, 29).”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 1:7 (YLT) — Fear of Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> a beginning of knowledge, Wisdom and instruction fools have despised!”
- Hebrews “By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. -- Hebrews 11:7”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Despair — Produced in the wicked by divine judgments -- De 28:34,67; Re 9:6; 16:10. Leads to Continuing in sin. -- Jer 2:25; 18:12. Blasphemy. -- Isa 8:21; Re 16:10,11. Shall seize upon the wicked at the appearing of Christ -- Re 6:16. Saints sometimes tempted to -- Job 7:6; La 3:18. Saints enabled to overcome -- 2Co 4:8,9. Trust in God, a preservative against -- Ps 42:5,11. Exemplified Cain. -- Ge 4:13,14. Ahithophel. -- 2Sa 17:23. Judas. -- Mt 27:5.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: and so abused the goodness of God to their own destruction. But though you should hold that the words were addressed to elect believers, no inconsistency will follow. It is one thing, in order to prevent believers from indulging vain confidence, to repress the temerity which, from the remains of the flesh, sometimes gains upon them, and it is another thing to strike terror into their consciences, and prevent them from feeling secure in the mercy of God. 23. Then, when he bids us work out our salvation with fear and trembling, all h”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — TESTIMONIES. (part 20): all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."(10) Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: "He that loveth father or mother above me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter above me, is not worthy of me; and he that taketh not up his cross and followeth me, is not my disciple."(11) Also in the Epistle of Paul to the Romans: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, Because”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of the Effects of Faith, Art. 1: Article: Whether fear is an effect of faith? I answer that, Fear is a movement of the appetitive power, as stated above (FS, Question [41], Article [1]). Now the principle of all appetitive movements is the good or evil apprehended: and consequently the principle of fear and of every appetitive movement must be an apprehension. Again, through faith there arises in us an apprehension of certain penal evils, which are inflicted in accordance with the Divine judgment. In this way, then, ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: faith overcomes. Examples of this description, placed before the eyes of believers, repress presumption, and fix their faith in God. 23. Nothing contrary to this in the exhortation of the Apostle to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Fear and faith mutually connected. Confirmation from the words of a Prophet. 24. This doctrine gives no countenance to the error of those who dream of a confidence mingled with incredulity. Refutation of this error, from a consideration of the dignity of Christ dwelling in us. The argument”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:17: if ye call on--that is, "seeing that ye call on," for all the regenerate pray as children of God, "Our Father who art in heaven" (Mat 6:9; Luk 11:2). the Father--rather, "Call upon as Father Him who without acceptance of persons (Act 10:34; Rom 2:11; Jam 2:1, not accepting the Jew above the Gentile, Ch2 19:7; Luk 20:21; properly said of a judge not biassed in judgment by respect of persons) judgeth," &c. The Father judgeth by His Son, His Representative, exercising His delegated authority (Joh 5:22). This marks the harmonious and complete unity of t”