What is Faith in the Bible?

[Arial]

Since the Bible is the book given to Christianity, it must be a biblical definition of faith that is applied to Christianity. In fact, rather than being referred to as the Christian religion, it is often called the Christian Faith. So let's dig in.

Faith can be used as a verb or a noun. It has become a very confusing word, an elusive word, though I doubt in either the OT or NT times it was confusing or elusive at all.

In the Bible "faith" in conjunction with the things of God, is always used as a noun. Yet there are whole swaths of the Christian community that never use it as a noun, always as a verb. As a result, much heretical doctrine has invaded the church, and by teachers that ought to know better. Faith as a noun contains specific content. It is this content that defines the faith. As a verb, it can apply to anything and is generated entirely from within us. It becomes an action, in that it works upon our will. It is never outside of us. If the Bible use of "faith" is considered a verb, then it is us who use our faith to manipulate God. Faith becomes a way to gain what we desire. There is a particular sect of the Christian Faith that declares this openly. And what is termed grace in Scripture, becomes not grace. This would apply to every arena of God's relationship with humanity, not just sorteriology. It removes from theology that everything we have from God, even our life itself, is by grace. It takes away his sovereignty.

Faith as a noun, as I said, has specific content. The Christian Faith has specific doctrines carefully derived from the Bible itself, that are common across denominational lines. The Trinity; the deity of Christ; the virgin birth; the substitionary work of Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of sin; the resurrection; ascension; his certain return; the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the glorification of those who remain alive at his coming; the judgement; the future restoration of all things. There are things outside of that that Christians disagree on denominationally. The Christian Faith is encapsulated in the Apostles Creed. (Not written by the apostles but what they taught in Scripture. Our doctrinal foundation.)

So when we read "the faith of Abraham was counted to him as righteousness" faith is a noun---apart from all works.

When we read Jesus saying, "Your faith has made you well." faith is a noun---not verb as it is so often taken. If it a verb it is conjuring. (To affect or effect by or as if by magic.)

When we read "By grace you have been saved, through faith, and that is a gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast." faith is a noun. If this faith comes from inside of us, "faith" becomes a verb. As a verb, it removes grace from the sentence.

Thoughts?

 

[Eleanor]

Since the Bible is the book given to Christianity, it must be a biblical definition of faith that is applied to Christianity. In fact, rather than being referred to as the Christian religion, it is often called the Christian Faith. So let's dig in.

Faith can be used as a verb or a noun. It has become a very confusing word, an elusive word, though I doubt in either the OT or NT times it was confusing or elusive at all.

In the Bible "faith" in conjunction with the things of God, is always used as a noun. Yet there are whole swaths of the Christian community that never use it as a noun, always as a verb. As a result, much heretical doctrine has invaded the church, and by teachers that ought to know better. Faith as a noun contains specific content. It is this content that defines the faith. As a verb, it can apply to anything and is generated entirely from within us. It becomes an action, in that it works upon our will. It is never outside of us. If the Bible use of "faith" is considered a verb, then it is us who use our faith to manipulate God. Faith becomes a way to gain what we desire. There is a particular sect of the Christian Faith that declares this openly. And what is termed grace in Scripture, becomes not grace. This would apply to every arena of God's relationship with humanity, not just sorteriology. It removes from theology that everything we have from God, even our life itself, is by grace. It takes away his sovereignty.

Faith as a noun, as I said, has specific content. The Christian Faith has specific doctrines carefully derived from the Bible itself, that are common across denominational lines. The Trinity; the deity of Christ; the virgin birth; the substitionary work of Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of sin; the resurrection; ascension; his certain return; the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the glorification of those who remain alive at his coming; the judgement; the future restoration of all things. There are things outside of that that Christians disagree on denominationally. The Christian Faith is encapsulated in the Apostles Creed. (Not written by the apostles but what they taught in Scripture. Our doctrinal foundation.)

So when we read "the faith of Abraham was counted to him as righteousness" faith is a noun---apart from all works.

When we read Jesus saying, "Your faith has made you well." faith is a noun---not verb as it is so often taken. If it a verb it is conjuring. (To affect or effect by or as if by magic.)

When we read "By grace you have been saved, through faith, and that is a gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast." faith is a noun. If this faith comes from inside of us, "faith" becomes a verb. As a verb, it removes grace from the sentence.

Thoughts?

"Faith" is the gift operating within (Php 1:29), of believing in and trusting on (Eph 2:8, etc., etc., etc.).

There is no saving faith apart from the gift operating within.

"The faith" is doctrine (Ac 6:7, 14:22, Gal 1:23, Eph 4:13, Php 1:27, 1 Th 3:10, Jude 3, 20).

 

[Arial]

Faith is believing and trusting in (Eph 2:8-9).

Faith is the system which is believed.

Not going to quibble over that, but that is the verb aspect of faith. I would say faith is a thing---- it is its content, when the Bible uses the word. That is why it is given in Eph 2. If it is given, it is its content that we have, and if we have it, we naturally believe it. Even if we have not learned all the content yet, the love for Christ has inhabited our hearts.

Yes, faith is the system that is believed when we say Christian Faith. But what of the OT saints who were said to have faith. What was the system then? He believed God. Does that mean he believed specific things that God said, or is it more than that----something in our heart, that only God sees because he put it there?

 

[Eleanor]

Not going to quibble over that, but that is the verb aspect of faith. I would say faith is a thing---- it is its content, when the Bible uses the word. That is why it is given in Eph 2. If it is given, it is its content that we have, and if we have it, we naturally believe it. Even if we have not learned all the content yet, the love for Christ has inhabited our hearts.

Yes, faith is the system that is believed when we say Christian Faith. But what of the OT saints who were said to have faith. What was the system then?

Belief in the promise (Ge 5:5, seed, Jesus Christ, Gal 3:16), by which faith righteousness was imputed to them (Ge 5:6, Ro 4:1-7).

He believed God. Does that mean he believed specific things that God said, or is it more than that----something in our heart, that only God sees because he put it there?

He believed the promise (Ge 5:5), which belief was imputed to him as righteousness (Ge 5:6, Ro 4:1-7).

 

[makesends]

Since the Bible is the book given to Christianity, it must be a biblical definition of faith that is applied to Christianity. In fact, rather than being referred to as the Christian religion, it is often called the Christian Faith. So let's dig in.

Faith can be used as a verb or a noun. It has become a very confusing word, an elusive word, though I doubt in either the OT or NT times it was confusing or elusive at all.

In the Bible "faith" in conjunction with the things of God, is always used as a noun. Yet there are whole swaths of the Christian community that never use it as a noun, always as a verb. As a result, much heretical doctrine has invaded the church, and by teachers that ought to know better. Faith as a noun contains specific content. It is this content that defines the faith. As a verb, it can apply to anything and is generated entirely from within us. It becomes an action, in that it works upon our will. It is never outside of us. If the Bible use of "faith" is considered a verb, then it is us who use our faith to manipulate God. Faith becomes a way to gain what we desire. There is a particular sect of the Christian Faith that declares this openly. And what is termed grace in Scripture, becomes not grace. This would apply to every arena of God's relationship with humanity, not just sorteriology. It removes from theology that everything we have from God, even our life itself, is by grace. It takes away his sovereignty.

True. In fact, their notion, that they can produce this faith by which to gain or accomplish this or that, boils down to (as I see it) divination.

Faith as a noun, as I said, has specific content. The Christian Faith has specific doctrines carefully derived from the Bible itself, that are common across denominational lines. The Trinity; the deity of Christ; the virgin birth; the substitionary work of Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of sin; the resurrection; ascension; his certain return; the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the glorification of those who remain alive at his coming; the judgement; the future restoration of all things. There are things outside of that that Christians disagree on denominationally. The Christian Faith is encapsulated in the Apostles Creed. (Not written by the apostles but what they taught in Scripture. Our doctrinal foundation.)

So when we read "the faith of Abraham was counted to him as righteousness" faith is a noun---apart from all works.

When we read Jesus saying, "Your faith has made you well." faith is a noun---not verb as it is so often taken. If it a verb it is conjuring. (To affect or effect by or as if by magic.)

There! Yep!

When we read "By grace you have been saved, through faith, and that is a gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast." faith is a noun. If this faith comes from inside of us, "faith" becomes a verb. As a verb, it removes grace from the sentence.

Thoughts?

Well written, good thinking.

 

[Eleanor]

True. In fact, their notion, that they can produce this faith by which to gain or accomplish this or that, boils down to (as I see it) divination.

There! Yep!

Well written, good thinking.

So having faith (n.) is belief (n.), rather than believing (v.)?

Who knew?

Faith seems operative (v.) to me, but what do I know?

 

[makesends]

Eleanor said:
Faith is believing and trusting in (Eph 2:8-9).

Faith is the system which is believed.

Not going to quibble over that, but that is the verb aspect of faith. I would say faith is a thing---- it is its content, when the Bible uses the word. That is why it is given in Eph 2. If it is given, it is its content that we have, and if we have it, we naturally believe it. Even if we have not learned all the content yet, the love for Christ has inhabited our hearts.

Yes, faith is the system that is believed when we say Christian Faith. But what of the OT saints who were said to have faith. What was the system then? He believed God. Does that mean he believed specific things that God said, or is it more than that----something in our heart, that only God sees because he put it there?

Maybe it could be better understood if @Eleanor had said, "Faith is THE believing and trusting in..." ? Gerund forms are nouns. I don't recall, right off, any passages specifically separating faith from believing --are they not one and the same thing? We say, "the faith by which we believe, but is that really two things?

As for the way Eleanor put it, I think it is good to recognize that the word, "is", is not always the same as "equals", in English. It is often used for imprecise speech, short for several different things, such as, "causes"/"results in", and even, "is related to".

 

[makesends]

So having faith (n.) is belief (n.), rather than believing (v.)?

Who knew?

Faith seems operative (v.) to me, but what do I know?

I'm not sure I see the difference, doctrinally. To me believing (verb) is the believing (gerund) is the faith (noun). I can separate them to give a perspective, particularly to those who are on the fence about the question of where the believing comes from, but faith is more than some abstract operator given to produce belief. Shoot, I could even argue that the faith IS the Spirit of God in us --that at least helps identify all aspects into one, that it is the gift, the work, the plan from the beginning, our identity in him (not separate from him), the never-ending aspect of perseverance, and on and on and on-- but that will not be well received.

Sorry, but I don't get where this current dispute on parts of speech is useful.

Lol, but ask me again tonight when I am cranky at bed time. I might dispute just about anything by that time!!!

 

[Arial]

Eleanor said:
Faith is believing and trusting in (Eph 2:8-9).

Faith is the system which is believed.

Maybe it could be better understood if @Eleanor had said, "Faith is THE believing and trusting in..." ? Gerund forms are nouns. I don't recall, right off, any passages specifically separating faith from believing --are they not one and the same thing? We say, "the faith by which we believe, but is that really two things?

As for the way Eleanor put it, I think it is good to recognize that the word, "is", is not always the same as "equals", in English. It is often used for imprecise speech, short for several different things, such as, "causes"/"results in", and even, "is related to".

As I said---you I am not saying you do not recognize that---I really have no quibble with what @Eleanor said. It through me for a loop for a second, not because it isn't true, but because for a half a second there, I though it undid my entire OP.

However, the loop wasn't that. It was the point and thrust of my OP not being about that specifically. Rather it is about what the Bible means by the use of faith as a noun, and how always reading it as a verb, changes our interpretation of the scriptures in which it is used. See examples in OP.

 

[Arial]

Belief in the promise (Ge 5:5, seed, Jesus Christ, Gal 3:16), by which faith righteousness was imputed to them (Ge 5:6, Ro 4:1-7).

He believed the promise (Ge 5:5), which belief was imputed to him as righteousness (Ge 5:6, Ro 4:1-7).

We are slightly off kilter between us here. Not because what you are saying is wrong, but because it was not the point of the OP. Which is, reading as a verb what the Bible is using as a noun (in this case "faith") it changes the meaning of whatever is being said. See examples in OP.

 

[Arial]

Lol, but ask me again tonight when I am cranky at bed time. I might dispute just about anything by that time!!!

Only if you promise to hold off on the cocktails and melatonin at bath time! (If anyone does not know what that is in reference to either @makesends or I will provide the link.)

 

[Eleanor]

I'm not sure I see the difference, doctrinally. To me believing (verb) is the believing (gerund) is the faith (noun). I can separate them to give a perspective, particularly to those who are on the fence about the question of where the believing comes from, but faith is more than some abstract operator given to produce belief. Shoot, I could even argue that the faith IS the Spirit of God in us --that at least helps identify all aspects into one, that it is the gift, the work, the plan from the beginning, our identity in him (not separate from him), the never-ending aspect of perseverance, and on and on and on-- but that will not be well received.

Works for me!

Christian faith is a spiritual power operating within.

Sorry, but I don't get where this current dispute on parts of speech is useful.
Lol, but ask me again tonight when I am cranky at bed time. I might dispute just about anything by that time!!!

 

[Eleanor]

Only if you promise to hold off on the cocktails and melatonin at bath time! (If anyone does not know what that is in reference to either @makesends or I will provide the link.)

Yeah. . .I know!

 

[makesends]

When we read "By grace you have been saved, through faith, and that is a gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast." faith is a noun. If this faith comes from inside of us, "faith" becomes a verb. As a verb, it removes grace from the sentence.

Thoughts?

In support of what @Eleanor was trying to point out, (I think), and while I see what you mean, to consider faith as a verb doesn't necessarily remove grace from the sentence. IF faith is belief, it is also the believing.

John 3:16 (one of my favorites to shove back in the face of those who use it, insisting on self-determinism), says, "those believing" which term is 'noun-ish', meaning 'believers' [in him]. But it is written as a verb, and certainly doesn't deny grace.

The old Christian staple, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved", if the usual use of it is valid, uses the mandatory verb, without a hint of a noun, but also implies no lack of grace.

You could go on in this vein as well as I can.

 

[CrowCross]

Since the Bible is the book given to Christianity, it must be a biblical definition of faith that is applied to Christianity. In fact, rather than being referred to as the Christian religion, it is often called the Christian Faith. So let's dig in.

Faith can be used as a verb or a noun. It has become a very confusing word, an elusive word, though I doubt in either the OT or NT times it was confusing or elusive at all.

In the Bible "faith" in conjunction with the things of God, is always used as a noun. Yet there are whole swaths of the Christian community that never use it as a noun, always as a verb. As a result, much heretical doctrine has invaded the church, and by teachers that ought to know better. Faith as a noun contains specific content. It is this content that defines the faith. As a verb, it can apply to anything and is generated entirely from within us. It becomes an action, in that it works upon our will. It is never outside of us. If the Bible use of "faith" is considered a verb, then it is us who use our faith to manipulate God. Faith becomes a way to gain what we desire. There is a particular sect of the Christian Faith that declares this openly. And what is termed grace in Scripture, becomes not grace. This would apply to every arena of God's relationship with humanity, not just sorteriology. It removes from theology that everything we have from God, even our life itself, is by grace. It takes away his sovereignty.

Faith as a noun, as I said, has specific content. The Christian Faith has specific doctrines carefully derived from the Bible itself, that are common across denominational lines. The Trinity; the deity of Christ; the virgin birth; the substitionary work of Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of sin; the resurrection; ascension; his certain return; the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the glorification of those who remain alive at his coming; the judgement; the future restoration of all things. There are things outside of that that Christians disagree on denominationally. The Christian Faith is encapsulated in the Apostles Creed. (Not written by the apostles but what they taught in Scripture. Our doctrinal foundation.)

So when we read "the faith of Abraham was counted to him as righteousness" faith is a noun---apart from all works.

When we read Jesus saying, "Your faith has made you well." faith is a noun---not verb as it is so often taken. If it a verb it is conjuring. (To affect or effect by or as if by magic.)

When we read "By grace you have been saved, through faith, and that is a gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast." faith is a noun. If this faith comes from inside of us, "faith" becomes a verb. As a verb, it removes grace from the sentence.

Thoughts?

Faith is a gift given to all christians. In that sense it is a noun. When we act on that faith I can see it as being a verb.
Much like the Holy Spirit which is given to all christians is a noun....yet when we are led by the Holy Spirit is seem to be more verbish.

 

[Arial]

In support of what @Eleanor was trying to point out, (I think), and while I see what you mean, to consider faith as a verb doesn't necessarily remove grace from the sentence. IF faith is belief, it is also the believing.

John 3:16 (one of my favorites to shove back in the face of those who use it, insisting on self-determinism), says, "those believing" which term is 'noun-ish', meaning 'believers' [in him]. But it is written as a verb, and certainly doesn't deny grace.

The old Christian staple, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved", if the usual use of it is valid, uses the mandatory verb, without a hint of a noun, but also implies no lack of grace.

You could go on in this vein as well as I can.

Yes. And I don't disagree with anything @Eleanor has said. It is just that the scriptures you give above are not using the word "faith" but believe. And I am talking about the Bible's use of "faith." The believing is a definition of what faith constitutes. I am not defining faith. I am referring to how the Bible uses faith----from God's POV, as saving faith. Noun or verb?

In the Eph 2 passage where Paul says we are saved by grace through faith, if faith is a verb there----which is how it is interpreted by non Reformed, it removes grace. It is a particular faith that is given, not one we arrive at through intellect alone or assent alone, even though intellect and assent are both present. Faith is both of those and more. The more, being beyond our senses and reason.

It is the same with the definition of Faith in Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. How often have we heard those in the Charismatic community misuse the voice to make a conjuring out of faith in that passage by reading it as a verb. What happens when it is a noun and encompasses what Christianity rests on? It is a particular faith. Substance and evidence of what cannot be seen, in our hearts.

 

[Arial]

Faith is a gift given to all christians. In that sense it is a noun. When we act on that faith I can see it as being a verb.
Much like the Holy Spirit which is given to all christians is a noun....yet when we are led by the Holy Spirit is seem to be more verbish.

I would say that it is more the fact that faith as used in the Bible to refer to a particular thing, it produces the actions. Monergism. Same with the Holy Spirit. It is a result of the work being done in us.

 

[CrowCross]

I would say that it is more the fact that faith as used in the Bible to refer to a particular thing, it produces the actions. Monergism. Same with the Holy Spirit. It is a result of the work being done in us.

Faith is like a tool given to someone. A hammer is a noun. Using the hammer or hammering is the action.
Faith can be a noun...using the faith is the verb.

 

[Arial]

Faith is like a tool given to someone. A hammer is a noun. Using the hammer or hammering is the action.
Faith can be a noun...using the faith is the verb.

Summation of the OP point.

When the Bible uses the word "faith" it always means saving faith. Never a conjured or self generated faith.

 

[Arial]

@ Eleanor @makesends and everyone else. The summation of the OP is when the Bible uses the word faith it always means saving faith. (noun) Not a conjured or self generated faith. (verb)