Frequently Asked Questions About Christian Faith
Christian faith is fundamentally a persuasion of the mind that a statement is true, with its primary idea being trust [2]. This trust is directed towards God and His revealed word, particularly the Scriptures [1, 6]. The concept of faith encompasses various dimensions, from a general belief in the truthfulness of God's word to a deep, personal assurance [2].
The Bible frequently uses "faithful" to describe Christians as full of faith and trustful, as seen in passages like Acts 10:45 and Colossians 1:2. It also applies to God's word or covenant, signifying its truthfulness and trustworthiness (e.g., Psalm 119:86, Isaiah 25:1) [1]. Faith is not merely an intellectual assent but includes an act of assent [2]. It is cultivated through teaching, as Romans 10:14-17 suggests, and knowledge is an essential component, sometimes even equated with faith in passages like John 10:38 [2].
According to the Heidelberg Catechism, true faith involves both a "sure knowledge" of what God has revealed in Scripture and a "wholehearted trust" that the Holy Spirit creates through the Gospel [9]. This trust specifically concerns God's free granting of forgiveness, righteousness, and salvation through Christ's merit, not only to others but also to the individual believer [9]. This understanding emphasizes that faith is a gift of grace [9].
The relationship between faith and knowledge has been a subject of extensive theological discussion [6]. Charles Hodge notes that while the ground of knowledge is sense or reason, the ground of faith is authority [6]. In the context of Christian faith, this authority is the Scripture, received as the Word of God [6]. Hodge further explains that Christian faith in the Bible is analogous to the innate human recognition of the moral law as divine authority [7]. The renewed individual perceives "the things of the Spirit" through the Spirit's testimony in conjunction with the truth [7].
Patristic writers also emphasized the interconnectedness of faith and other virtues. Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus, for instance, taught that faith and love are the "beginning and the end of life," being "inseparably connected together" and originating from God [8]. They believed that a person truly professing faith does not sin, and one who possesses love does not hate [8].
Thomas Aquinas, a prominent Scholastic theologian, discussed the development of the articles of faith, likening them to self-evident principles in natural reason [4]. He argued that some articles are implicitly contained within others, all ultimately reducible to a first principle [4]. Aquinas also addressed the erroneous belief held by some that merely receiving the sacraments of faith would guarantee immunity from eternal punishment, stating that this contradicts truth [5].
Reformed theology, as articulated by John Calvin, distinguishes between different meanings of faith, noting that faith can be improperly ascribed to certain individuals [10]. Calvin discusses the faith of hypocrites and those who believe for a time, contrasting it with the firm and perpetual faith of the elect [10]. This distinction highlights the enduring nature of true faith.
Christian conduct is intrinsically linked to faith. It involves believing God (Mark 11:22), fearing God (Ecclesiastes 12:13), loving God (Deuteronomy 6:5), obeying God (Luke 1:6), and rejoicing in God (Psalm 33:1) [3]. Similarly, it entails believing in Christ (John 6:29), loving Christ (John 21:15), following Christ's example (John 13:15), obeying Christ (John 14:21), and living for Christ (Romans 14:8) [3]. This comprehensive understanding of faith underscores its transformative impact on a believer's life and actions.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faithful — As a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy (Acts 10:45; 16:1; 2 Cor. 6:15; Col. 1:2; 1 Tim. 4:3, 12; 5:16; 6:2; Titus 1:6; Eph. 1:1; 1 Cor. 4:17, etc.). It is used also of God's word or covenant as true and to be trusted (Ps. 119:86, 138; Isa. 25:1; 1 Tim. 1:15; Rev. 21:5; 22:6, etc.).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Faith, Art. 7: Article: Whether the articles of faith have increased in course of time? I answer that, The articles of faith stand in the same relation to the doctrine of faith, as self-evident principles to a teaching based on natural reason. Among these principles there is a certain order, so that some are contained implicitly in others; thus all principles are reduced, as to their first principle, to this one: "The same thing cannot be affirmed and denied at the same time," as the Philosopher states (Metaph. iv”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of God's Mercy and Justice towards the Damned, Art. 4: Article: Whether the punishment of Christians is brought to an end by the mercy of God? I answer that, According to Augustine (De Civ. Dei xxi, 20,21), there have been some who predicted a delivery from eternal punishment not for all men, but only for Christians. although they stated the matter in different ways. For some said that whoever received the sacraments of faith would be immune from eternal punishment. But this is contrary to the truth, since some receive the sacraments of fai”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 12: § 4. Faith and Knowledge. The relation of faith to knowledge is a wide field. The discussions on the subject have been varied and endless. There is little probability that the points at issue will ever be settled to the satisfaction of all parties. The ground of faith is authority. The ground of knowledge is sense or reason. We are concerned here only with Christian faith, i.e ., the faith which receives the Scriptures as the Word of God and all they teach as true on his authority. Is a Supernatural Revelation needed? The first question i”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 11: of research or argument, but of inward experience. The change may, and often does, take place in a moment. The faith of a Christian in the Bible is, as before remarked, analogous to that which all men have in the moral law, which they recognize not only as truth, but as having the authority of God. What the natural man perceives with regard to the moral law the renewed man is enabled to perceive in regard to “the things of the Spirit,” by the testimony of that Spirit with and by the truth to his heart. Proof from Express Declarations of S”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. XIV.--EXHORTATIONS TO FAITH AND LOVE.: None of these things is hid from you, if ye perfectly possess that faith and love towards Christ Jesus(10) which are the beginning and the end of life. For the beginning is faith, and the end is love.(11) Now these two. being inseparably connected together,(12) are of God, while all other things which are requisite for a holy life follow after them. No man [truly] making a profession of faith sinneth;(13) nor does he that possesses love hate any one. The tree is made”
- Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed) “Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed, 1563), Q. What is true faith?: Q. What is true faith? A. True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in Scripture;1 it is also a wholehearted trust,2 which the Holy Spirit creates in me3 by the gospel,4 that God has freely granted, not only to others but to me also,5 forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation.6 These are gifts of sheer grace, granted solely by Christ’s merit.7 1 John 17:3, 17; Heb. 11:1-3; James 2:19 2 Rom. 4:18-21; 5:1; 10:10; Heb. 4:14-16 3 Matt. 16:15-17; John 3:5; Acts 16:14 ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: only one meaning to faith, whereas it has many meanings. The testimony of faith improperly ascribed to two classes of men. 10. View to be taken of this. Who those are that believe for a time. The faith of hypocrites. With whom they may be compared. 11. Why faith attributed to the reprobate. Objection. Answer. What perception of grace in the reprobate. How the elect are distinguished from the reprobate. 12. Why faith is temporary in the reprobate, firm and perpetual in the elect. Reason in the case of the reprobate. Example. Why God”