Biblical Answer

Understanding Faith in the Bible

The Bible teaches that faith is not just intellectual assent, but a trust or reliance on God's character and will. This trust is based on the truth of biblical narratives, not on human critical acumen. As John Calvin said, faith is a firm and certain knowledge of God's benevolence towards us. This means that faith is not just about believing certain facts, but about trusting in God's power and character.

The Foundation of Faith

The foundation of faith is not on human strength or creature helps, but solely on God's character and promises. This is why the Bible says that faith is the means by which we receive the righteousness of Christ, rather than constituting the righteousness imputed to us. In other words, faith is not about earning our salvation through good works, but about trusting in God's promise of salvation through Christ.

The Power of Faith

Faith is not just a human decision, but a divine work of God's Spirit. As the Bible says, "Faith works by love" (Galatians 5:6). This means that faith is not just about intellectual assent, but about a deep and abiding trust in God's character and will. And this trust is not just a human emotion, but a gift of God's Spirit, who keeps us believing and safe through our faith. As Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Faith is not just a human decision, but a divine work of God's Spirit.