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Your Question:
What's the difference between faith and fantasy?
Answer:
As a pastor, I've had the opportunity to reflect on the nature of faith and its relationship to reason. In my understanding, faith is not simply a matter of choosing to believe something in the absence of evidence or reasons. Rather, it's a confidence or trust based on what one knows, rooted in a personal experience of God's revelation and presence in one's life. In contrast, fantasy is often associated with a realm of private desire and intuition, where values are prioritized over facts. This is not to say that faith is solely about reason or evidence, but rather that it's a holistic experience that encompasses both the rational and the emotional. As the biblical writer notes, faith is not just a matter of believing certain propositions, but of trusting in God's character and promises. For me, the key difference between faith and fantasy lies in their respective sources and objects. Faith is a gift from God, a source of belief that is grounded in His revelation and presence. Fantasy, on the other hand, is often a product of human imagination and desire, which can lead us away from the truth and into a realm of subjective experience. As a Christian, I believe that faith is not just a personal choice, but a response to God's initiative and love, which is why I see it as a fundamentally different category from fantasy.
Sources:
biblical critical theory
christopher watkin
god
j i packer knowing
colossians philemon
n t wright
christianity and liberalism
j gresham machen
elemental theology
emery bancroft
scientism and secularism
j p moreland
christian theology
millard erickson
where the conflict really lies
alvin plantinga
systematic theology
wayne grudem
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