Difference between revisions of "Faith" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Albrecht Dürer Betende Hände.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Faith'' in something greater is an important theme in all the world religions. Painting by [[Albrecht Dürer]].]]
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'''Faith''' (from Greek-''pistis'' and Latin-''fides'') refers to confidence, trust, and hope in [[God]], a person, community, tradition, or locus of inspiration. The object of faith varies among people, but the common denominator is a level of conviction and an inner attitude towards a greater power or force in the universe. Etymologically, the word 'faith' is closely linked to the concept of "fidelity," which emphasizes commitment to something or someone. Faith can thus be envisioned as a trust in [[providence]], and has been used as a synonym for religion, such as in the [[Buddhist]] faith or the [[Christian]] faith.
  
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This article discusses '''faith''' in a religious context.  
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In a lesser sense, faith is often understood to mean 'loyalty' to a particular view of [[divinity]], allegiance to a particular religious community and belief in its [[doctrine]]s. Yet all religious traditions regard mere "belief"—intellectual assent—as faith of the weakest kind.
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{{toc}}
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Faith is an important aspect of the world religions, and a common theme of human religiosity. According to Christian tradition, faith is one of the gifts of the [[Holy Spirit]] that provides impetus for humanity to move forward, and is said to be especially important when one encounters obstacles in life. Living a life of faith helps one transcend a limited view of self and live for the sake of the larger human community and the purposes of God. For many people, faith, or the lack thereof, is an important part of their overall identity.
  
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== Overview ==
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== Various Semantic Usages of Faith ==
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As a significant purpose of religion is to promote individual reunion with God, as well as build families and communities of believers, many believers feel that a primary quality needed in them is faith or faithfulness.  Of course, world religions vary on their teaching of this core element of faith.  While some emphasize a messianic figure, leader, or teacher, others emphasize scripture, tradition, a covenant or covenants, the religious hierarchy, or other objects of faith. Most religions have some variant of one or more of these, including [[Islam]] which emphasizes faith in the [[Koran]] (scripture), in addition to a concept of [[Imam-Mahdi]] (which corresponds to [[savior]]).  Other traditions also maintain that some human preconditions, or demonstrations of faithfulness, including prayer, fasting, study, community service, celebacy and other spiritual exercises are required before spiritual elevation and human improvement can occur, or new revelations of truth can be given and received.  This article will discuss faith in this context.
 
  
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== Meaning: Faith vs Belief ==
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The concept of faith is central to many religious traditions; yet, the term's usage is somewhat problematic due to it's elastic nature. For example, the word ''faith'' can be used in a variety of ways according to one's intention, perspective, and theological context. [[Protestant]] Christians, for instance, speak of the doctrine of ''[[Justification by Faith]]'', which has a specific meaning within Protestant discourse (see below).
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The word ''faith'', ''pitis'' in the ''Greek'', and ''fides'' in the ''Latin'', is a common synonym for religion, as in the Buddhist faith or the Christian faith. It connotes a conviction, trust or inner attitude which relates a man or woman to a supreme Being or God, or to various notions of salvation. In Christianity, faith is an inspired human response to the revelation of God through [[Jesus Christ]] an is of ultimate significance.
 
  
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The word '''''faith''''' has various meanings; its central meaning is similar to "[[belief]]", "[[Trust (sociology)|trust]]" or "[[confidence]]", but unlike these terms, "faith" tends to imply a [[trans-personal]] rather than [[interpersonal]] relationship  with [[God]] or a [[Higher power|higher power]]. On the other hand, the object of faith can be a person (or even an inanimate object or state of affairs) or a [[proposition]] (or body of propositions, such as a [[Creed|religious credo]]). In each case, however, the faithful subject's faith is in an object, or some aspect of an object that cannot be rationally proven or objectively known, although it may be experientially known.  So, we can say that faith is a firm or unquestioned belief in something for which there is no visible proof.  
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Generally speaking, faith has both an individual and a communal dimension: '''Personal faith''' is an individual's confidence, trust, and hope in something or someone greater, whereas '''Communal faith''' is a shared group commitment to similar ideals. Communities of faith can be of various kinds ranging from family and kinship groups, ethnic groups, religions, philosophical communities, political parties, or even scientific schools.  
  
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[[Belief]], on the other hand, is a mental acceptance or assent to something offered as true, with or without certainty, according to common usage and dictionary definitions.  What is most distinguishable in the definitions is the fullness of certainty, or conviction. Example: I have belief in my ability to distinguish between the two, but lack the faith to be certain of it. Thus, the level of acceptance is crucial to establishing faith.  I may have faith in God or faith in myself, but both reveal a level of conviction (acceptance) that has been confirmed by positive personal experience.  And so, we can speak of absolute faith.  But, belief can not be spoken of so confidently, even many use the terms interchangeably.  Ultimately, faith in God, for example, incorporates certain beliefs about God, adding intellectual and common sense agreement and/or experience into the equation, resulting in acceptance and conviction.  
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Moreover, the terms "faith" and "belief" are often used as synonyms ''albeit'' scholars such as Wilfred Cantwell Smith (1998) have nuanced the respective meanings of these terms. Typically, a "belief" implies an intellectual or mental assent to a proposition, whereas "faith" is a deeper holistic commitment of one's entire being to a higher calling, which resonates and permeates one's entire life. Thus, faith often includes an act of the will and an emotional commitment beyond the intellect, whereas beliefs are rooted in intellectual commitments and convictions.  
  
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Faith, therefore, stands upon the foundation of belief, or the accumulation of beliefs about God.  Here, a rational is given for faith, in terms of sufficient support to make a fairly confident claim of faith.  It follows from an "I have faith in God because . . . " type of statement.  This relates more to indirect evidence of experience than more personal experience. A faith in God resting upon such more intellectual and rational foundation might not, during a severe test, hold-up as well as a faith which is grounded in real religious experience.  In this way, belief is understood as a more cognitive function and faith as a unique commitment to an ultimate fundamental decision, or "ultimate concern," to borrow a phrase from [[Paul Tillich]], which stands upon real personal religious experience and around which life is organized. In other words, there is a dynamic interplay between the two.
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Modern writers and skeptics often speak of ''blind faith'' in a pejorative manner. Critics describe faith as an "irrational practice" and argue that one should only accept what is directly supportable by logic or evidence. To have faith in a God or power without any reasons to support it is called [[fideism]]. Faith in the sense of being grounded simply in the sincerity of faith, has thus been ridiculed as "blind faith." However, faith need not be blind or submissive: both the [[Hebrew Bible]] and the [[Talmud]], for example, depict a committed but contentious faithful relationship between the Jews and their God.
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Finally, some religious believers and many of their critics often use the term "faith" as the affirmation of [[belief]] without an ongoing test of evidence, and even despite evidence apparently to the contrary. Most [[Jew]]s, [[Christianity|Christian]]s and [[Muslim]]s admit that whatever particular evidence or reason they may possess that their God exists and is deserving of trust, is not ultimately the basis for their faith or believing. Thus, in this sense ''faith'' refers to ''belief beyond evidence or [[logical argument]]s'', sometimes called "implicit faith".  Another form of this kind of faith is [[fideism]]: one ought to believe that God exists, but one should not base that belief on any other beliefs; one should, instead, accept it without any [[reason]]s at all.  Faith in this sense, grounded simply in the sincerity of faith, belief on the basis of believing, is often associated  religious thinkers; his views are presented in ''[[Fear and Trembling]].
 
  
 
== Faith in Religious Contexts ==
 
== Faith in Religious Contexts ==
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In general, faith means being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see with your physical senses, but may otherwise sense or experience with your spiritual senses. "Faith" might then be considered as '[[hope]] in [[action]].' This perspective is summed up in what many Christians consider the great chapter in the New Testament on faith, Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen."
 
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In some religious contexts, "faith" has several different meanings.  Sometimes, faith means a belief in the 'existence' of a deity, and can be used to distinguish individual belief in deities from belief in deities within religion. However, it can also be used in the context of belief in deities within religions. Many [[Hinduism|Hindus]], [[Judaism|Jews]], [[Christianism|Christians]] and [[Islam|Muslims]] claim that there is adequate [[historical evidence]] of their God's [[existence]] and their God's [[interaction]] with human beings.  As such, they may believe that there is no need for "faith" in God in the sense of belief against or despite evidence; rather, they hold that evidence is sufficient to demonstrate that their God certainly exists, and that particular beliefs, concerning who or what their God is and why this God is to be trusted, are vindicated by evidence in the historical record and by logic. For people in this category, "faith" in a God simply means "belief that one has [[knowledge]] of [any particular] God."
 
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Sometimes, it means 'loyalty' to one's [[religion]]. It is in the latter sense in which one can speak of, for example, "the [[Catholicism|Catholic faith]]" or "the [[Islam|Islamic faith]]."  For [[creed]]al religions, faith also means that one accepts the [[religious tenet]]s of the religion as true. For non-creedal religions, faith often means that one is loyal to a particular religious community. 
 
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And at times, faith means a belief in a 'relationship' with a [[deity]]. In this case, "faith" is used in the sense of "fidelity." Such a commitment need not be blind or submissive, although it often shares these types of characteristics. For many Jews, for example, the [[Hebrew Bible]] and [[Talmud]] depict a committed but contentious relationship between their God and the Children of Israel. For many people, faith or the lack thereof, is an important part of their [[Identity|identities]]. E.g. a person will identify him or herself as a Jew or a Muslim or a [[skeptic]].
 
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And finally, as mentioned at the outset here, many traditions understand that the vehicle God uses on earth to facilitate the development of faithful individuals, families and communities, are the various notions and personages called [[Messiah]], [[Savior]], [[Son of Man]], etc, in the Old and New Testaments of the [[Judeo-Christian]] traditions, and by the [[Meitreya]] in Buddhism, [[Avatar]] in Hinduism, [[Saoshyans]] in Zoroastrianism , and [[Imam-Mahdi]] in Islam, to mention a few examples from other religious traditions. A question found in the New Testament of the Christian tradition, asks: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8) This is a Biblical example of a sentiment found within Christianity, which appears to embrace the need for some precondition in man (faith) and the coming of a human vehicle, [[Savior]], understood as a core element of faith, through whom God works to establish a gateway for the reunion (this topic is discussed further in these articles linked above, and other on Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc). Of Course, world religions vary on their teaching of the core element of faith.  While some emphasize a messianic figure, leader, or teacher, others emphasize scripture, tradition, a covenant or covenants, the religious hierarchy, or other objects of faith. Most religions have some variant of one or more of these, including Islam which emphasizes faith in the Koran (scripture), in addition to a concept of Imam-Mahdi (which corresponds to savior).  Other traditions also maintain that some human preconditions, or demonstrations of faithfulness, including prayer, fasting, study, community service, celebacy and other spiritual exercises are required before spiritual elevation and human improvement can occur, or new revelations of truth can be given and received.  This article will discuss faith in this context.
 
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==Judaism, Islam and Christianity ==
 
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In Biblical Judaism [[faith]] is considered to be mostly juridical.  In means the adherence of the people of Israel to the [[Convenant]] created by God and thus the [[Covenant]] between God [[Jehovah]] and his people [[Israel]]. The notion of faith in [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]] which are rooted in historical experience and tradition, is similar.  Faith (IMAN in Arabic) in [[Islam]] distinguishes a believer from a non-believer.  In the [[Qur'an]] (10:100), it is proclaimed that "None can have faith except by the will of Allah."  And in Christianity, the [[Apostle Paul]] defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1); and that it is a gift of God ((1 Corinthinas 12:8-9).
 
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Faith in [[Christianity]] is central to [[salvation]], with Catholic notions apparently adhering to the premise that humankind can be saved by faith alone, referring to faith in Jesus as the [[Savior]] and [[Messiah]] of all humankind; while Protestant groups generally agree that salvation is dependent on faith in Jesus as the Savior, God the creator, and on works, although there are myriad variations on these points within the hundreds of denominations in Protestantism. While the precise meaning and content of [[faith in Christianity]] differs in some respects between the various Christian traditions, there is much common ground.  Hebrews Chapter 11, Verse 1 begins the "great chapter" on faith in the [[New Testament]] of the [[Holy Bible]]: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen," (discussed above).  It is observed that the contribution of Christianity to the religious world, is its clarification of the "object" of faith and the "goal" of faith. Clearly, the object of faith in Christianity is [[Jesus]], the [[Messiah]], and the goal is the salvation he ultimately offers to those who have faith in him.
 
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See also
 
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#[[Salvation]] and [[Salvation in Christianity]]
 
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#[[Jewish Principles of Faith]]
 
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#[[Islam]] Beliefs as the context for Faith
 
  
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==Zoroastrianism==
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===Faith in Judaism===
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According to Zorastrian teachings, humans are responsible beings, and bear responsibility for all situations they are in and in the way they act to one another. Nothing in the [[Heaven|Heavens]] and [[Earth]] has the power to force a being to commit evil deeds, nor dispense rewards or punishment, happiness or grief.  For all these things are the result of how an individual lives his life. So, good comes to people that do good deeds giving them power to improve their lives and the lives of others. This power is called ''Charitas''. After death, the person must walk through the Path to Judgement or '''Chinvat Peretum''' to bear responsibility for his actions when he was alive. Thus, Zoroastrianism contains a notion of faith which bears some similarities with Christian notions in that good deeds can be said to play a part in the salvation process.  However, the necessity for a human agent involved in the salvation process representing God or Heaven, does not exist.  See article on [[Zoroastrianism]] for further discussion of human faith in human salvation.
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In Biblical [[Judaism]], faith is specifically understood as the continued obedience of the Jews to the commandments of [[God]] ([[Jehovah]]) found and repeatedly renewed in his [[Covenant]]s. Thus, faith is tied to the context of God's Covenant with his chosen people, [[Israel]]. In practice, this means that Jews are expected to be faithful to God by following the 613 ''Mitzvoth'', and honoring the holidays of the Jewish calendar, among other practices.
  
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==Buddhism==
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===Faith in Christianity===
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The classic definition of "Faith" in [[Christianity]] is summed up in what many consider to be the greatest chapter on faith in the [[New Testament]] found in Hebrews 11:1:
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:"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen."
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While the precise meaning and content of faith in Christianity differs in some respects between the various Christian traditions, there is much common ground. In general, Christian faith is seen as 'hope in action' which tangibly manifests itself in the conviction that Christ is the [[Savior]] and [[Messiah]] of all humankind. Faith in this conviction is central to [[salvation]] in Christian theology. However, such faith is a gift of God (1 Corinthians 12:8-9), and Paul lists it along with hope and love as the gifts of the [[Holy Spirit]]. Interestingly, Paul states that love is "the greatest" gift but faith is the ground of all else.
  
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Faith (saddha/ sraddha) is an important constituent element of the teachings of the [[Buddha]] - both in the [[Theravada]] tradition as in the [[Mahayana]]. While not of the blind variety and on occasion linked with insight (prajna), Buddhist faith (as advocated by the Buddha of the various scriptures) nevertheless requires a degree of trusting confidence and belief primarily in the spiritual attainment and salvational knowledge of the Buddha. Faith in [[Buddhism]] centres on belief in the Buddha as a supremely Awakened being, on his unexcelled role as teacher of both humans and gods, in the truth of his [[Dharma]] (spiritual Doctrine), and in his [[Sangha]] (community of spiritually developed followers). Faith in Buddhism functions as a form of motor, which propels the Buddhist practitioner towards the goal of Awakening ([[bodhi]]) and [[Nirvana]].
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In [[Protestant]] [[theology]], the concept of ''Justification by Faith'' is an important [[doctrine]] of various Protestant [[denominations]]. [[Martin Luther]], the founder of the Lutheran Church, for example, states that faith alone ''(sola fide)'' is necessary for salvation. According to him, faith was not a mere "intellectual assent" to Church doctrines because this did not actually touch one's heart. In fact, he would consider this to be what Paul calls the "faith of demons" which merely acknowledges the existence of God. Luther wrote, "Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it."<ref>Martin Luther [http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/luther-faith.txt Martin Luther's Definition of Faith] Retrieved July 16, 2020.</ref>
  
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See also
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Luther argued that no amount of good works could ever compensate for a lack of faith. By deeming works necessary we deem Christ imperfect (see [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%203:22-25&version=31 Romans 3:22-25]). No sacrament or any church ritual is at all relevant in this matter; full [[justification]] takes place at the moment a sinner admits sin and trusts in the [[sacrifice]] of [[Christ]] who took the punishment for that sin. [[Sanctification]] is what follows as a result of gratitude for justification already completed. However, critics often point out that Luther's position is undermined by the Epistle of James, which states that people are "not justified by faith alone" (James 2:24).
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#[[Faith in Buddhism]]
 
  
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== Faith Development and the contributions of Psychology ==
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===Faith in Buddhism===
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In both the [[Theravada]] and [[Mahayana]] traditions of [[Buddhism]], faith is known as ''saddha / sraddha'' and is an important aspect of the teachings of [[Buddha]]. ''Sraddha'' means provisional adherence to the doctrine of Buddha ''(dharma)'' until personal experience and practice convinces one of the truth. Although Buddha insisted that his disciples experience truth for themselves, once one embarked on the [[Buddhist Eightfold Path]] the process nevertheless required a degree of trusting confidence primarily in the spiritual attainment and salvational knowledge of Buddha. Faith in Buddhism centers on belief in Buddha as a supremely Awakened being, in the truth of his [[Dharma]] (spiritual doctrine), and in his ''[[Sangha]]'' (community of spiritually developed followers).
  
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Many traditions understand that God, the Creator, whether known as [[God]], [[Heavenly Father]], [[Jahovah]], [[Allah]], et al, uses central individuals on earth to facilitate the development of faithful individuals, families and communities. Thus, have arisen the various notions and personages from [[Prophets]], [[Priest]] and [[King]]s, to [[Messiah]], [[Savior]], [[Son of Man]], etc, in the Old and New Testaments of the [[Judeo-Christian]] traditions, and by the [[Meitreya]] in Buddhism, [[Avatar]] in Hinduism, [[Saoshyans]] in Zoroastrianism , and [[Imam-Mahdi]] in Islam, to mention a few examples from other religious traditions. A question found in the New Testament of the Christian tradition, asks: "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8) This is a Biblical example of a sentiment found within Christianity, which appears to embrace the need for some precondition in man (faith) and the coming of a human vehicle, [[Savior]], understood as a core element of faith, through whom God works to establish a gateway for the reunion (this topic is discussed further in articles linked here, and others on Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc).  And, this question of "faith on earth," also insinuates the notion that faith is a developmental process, or at least, that there exist different qualities or levels of faith and hence, faithfullness.  Of Course, world religions vary on their teaching of the core element of faith through which, we assume, one's faith would develop and grow.  While some emphasize a messianic figure, leader, or teacher, others emphasize scripture, tradition, a covenant or covenants, the religious hierarchy, or other objects of faith. Most religions have some variant of one or more of these, including Islam which emphasizes faith in the Koran (scripture), in addition to a concept of Imam-Mahdi (which corresponds to savior).  Other traditions also maintain that some human preconditions, or demonstrations of faithfulness, including prayer, fasting, study, community service, celebacy and other spiritual exercises are required before spiritual elevation and human improvement can occur, or new revelations of truth can be given and received.
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As Buddhism evolved and spread throughout Asia, the act of faith became very important in various forms of Mahayana Buddhism, which very much emphasized the importance of faith. For example, the [[Pure Land]] school of Mahayana Buddhism encouraged its practitioners to place ultimate faith the efficacy of the saving grace of [[Amitabha Buddha]]. Others placed faith the merit of various ''[[bodhisattva]]'' figures. Thus, faith to some degree helps propel the Buddhist practitioner towards the goal of Awakening ''([[bodhi]])'' and ''[[Nirvana]]'' or [[rebirth]] in higher celestial realms.
  
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Meanwhile, many in Christian traditions, as well as some in other traditions, draw upon the field of psychology to enhance understandings of faith as a developmental process that evolves in certain definable stages.  These [[faith development]] theorists, chief among them being [[James Fowler]], stand upon the foundation of [[moral development]] stage theorists like the pioneering [[Jean Piaget]], [[Lawrence Kohlberg]], and others. See these articles for further discussion.
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===Faith in Islam===
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The Arabic word for "Faith" is ''Iman'' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: &#x0625;&#x064A;&#x0645;&#x0627;&#x0646;). This term literally means “to fully observe one's faith” or “to learn one's faith,” and lexically denotes affirmation and confirmation in the heart. It can be found in a verse of the Holy [[Qur'an]], which proclaims that ''iman'' distinguishes a believer from a non-believer: "None can have faith except by the will of [Allah." Qur'an (10:100).
  
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== Conclusions ==
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According to [[Islam]]ic teaching, ''Iman'' means acquiescing to a truth of a thing in the heart (heart being the spiritual center). Faith is not mere belief, but firm commitment to knowledge of truth of which we do not doubt.
  
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Many religious [[rationalism|rationalist]]s, as well as non-religious people, criticise implicit faith as being irrational. In this view, belief should be restricted to what is directly supportable by logic or evidence.  It is logically impossible that many of the mutually contradictory beliefs in the major faiths, not to mention the myriad others, can be simultaneously true. Therefore, it must be admitted that the majority of believers have faith in a belief system which is likely to be partially true, or at least somewhat incongruent with other believers and belief sysems, and about which they likely have some difficulty describing to other believers. Indeed, some religious observers and even traditions, especially [[Hinduism]], hold the view that the several different faiths are just aspects of the ultimate truth, and mostly have difficulty in identifying the common ground they share, and in adequately describing, or even understanding clearly, their uniquenesses. These observers see the different religions as just different paths to the same goal. This does not explain away all logical contradictions between faiths, but these traditions and observers say that all seeming contradictions will be understood once a person has an experience of the Hindu concept of [[moksha]], or some other similar experience from other traditions, of the central unity among the faiths.
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===Faith in Chinese Religions===
  
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In sum, the precondition of human "faithfullness," appears a common strand in the major religious traditions, if not all religious traditions, and the basis for reunion or unity with the object of faith at every level, be it with a spouce, other family members, one's community, faith tradition, and ultimately with the Creator. Thus, faith connotes a response, or a active demonstration of responsibility, which works to create unity and a community of the faithful governed by universal principles which create a commonality of purpose and goals.
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The word for "Faith" in Chinese characters consist of two characters (信仰); the first one (信), which consists of a pictograph of "a person" (人) and an ideograph of "words or speeches" (言), has a meaning of "trusting" or "believing." The second one (仰) consists of a pictograph of "a person" (人) and a radical with a meaning of "raising one's head and looking up to" (卬). Thus, faith in Chinese character has a connotation of "a human action of trusting in the words of a leader or a teacher in spiritual matters and looking up to him or her or a superhuman being behind him/her (Andrew Wilson's Scope Notes)."
  
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== For notions of Faith in other Traditions, and related topics, go to ==
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== Faith Development and Psychology ==
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Many draw upon the field of psychology to enhance understandings of faith as a developmental process that evolves in certain definable stages. These [[faith development]] theorists, chief among them being [[James Fowler]] (1995), stand upon the foundation of [[moral development]] stage theorists like the pioneering [[Jean Piaget]], [[Lawrence Kohlberg]], and others. Modern developmental psychologists explain faith as a developmental process that evolves in certain definable stages.
  
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*[[Faith in Islam]]
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===Scientific faith===
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*[[Faith in Judaism]]
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Scientists have faith and beliefs. In this sense they are religious, or sometimes called quasi-religious. For example, many scientists believe in Darwinism, which has been called a "pseudo-religion." They believe that the concept of unguided random mutation and natural selection can explain the development of life on earth. While they can point to reasons why they believe this, they cannot prove it with the scientific method, nor can they disprove those who believe a Creator designed the universe.
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*[[Apostasy]]
 
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*[[Belief]]
 
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*[[Religious conversion]]
 
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*[[Rationalism]]
 
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*[[Faith Development]]
 
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*{{James Fowler]]
 
  
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==External links==
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== Conclusion ==
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*[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/religion-epistemology/ Epistemology of the religion, article from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Peter Forrest]
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'''Faith''' in something greater than oneself is a common theme among the world's religions. Faith is manifested both at the level of personal connection to something deeper in life, and at the level of commitment within a community. Whereas "belief" implies an intellectual assent to a proposition, faith is a deeper holistic commitment of one's entire being to a higher calling, which resonates and permeates one's entire life. The role of faith has an essential place in all religions, and has been an important way for humanity to live a fulfilling life.
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*[http://www.apuritansmind.com/Justification/CalvinJohnJustification.htm John Calvin on Justification by Faith from The Institutes of the Christian Religion]
 
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*[http://www.seegod.org/the_warrant_of_faith.htm Charles Spurgeon on the Warrant of Faith]
 
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*[http://public.csusm.edu/public/guests/rsclark/Warfield.html B.B. Warfield on Justification By Faith]
 
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*[http://www.skepdic.com/faith.html The Skeptic's Dictionary entry on Faith]
 
  
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==Classic reflections on the nature of faith==
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==Notes==
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<references/>
  
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*Martin Buber ''I and Thou''
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==References==
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*Paul Tillich ''The Dynamics of Faith''
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*Buber, Martin. ''I and Thou.'' New York: Free Press, 1971. ISBN 0684717255
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*Fowler, James W. ''Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development.'' Harper San Francisco, 1995. ISBN 0060628669
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*Luther, Martin. ''By Faith Alone.'' World Publishing, 1998. ISBN 0529109670
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*Smith, Wilfred Cantwell. ''Faith and Belief: The Difference Between Them.'' Oxford: Oneworld Press, 1998. ISBN 1851681655
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*Sungenis, Robert A. ''Not by Faith Alone: Biblical Study of the Catholic Doctrine of Justification.'' Queenship Publishing Company, 1997. ISBN 1579180086
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*Tillich, Paul. ''The Dynamics of Faith.'' Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2009 (original 2001). ISBN 0060937133
  
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== The Reformation view of faith ==
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==External Links==
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All links retrieved March 23, 2024.
  
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*John Calvin, ''The Institutes of the Christian Religion''
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*[http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/luther-faith.txt Martin Luther's definition of faith]
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*R.C. Sproul, ''Faith Alone''
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*[https://billygraham.org/answer/can-you-give-me-a-simple-definition-of-faith/ A simple definition of faith] ''Billy Graham Answers''.
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*Michael Novak, ''Faith and Belief''
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*[https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/faith/ Faith] ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy''.
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*[https://www.compellingtruth.org/definition-of-faith.html What is a biblical definition of faith?] ''Topical Truth''.
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*[https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-faith-700722 How Does the Bible Define Faith?] ''Learn Religions''.
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*[https://www.islamweb.net/en/article/134445/the-islamic-concept-of-faith The Islamic concept of faith] ''Islam Web''.
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*[https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/article/faith-its-role-and-meaning-in-a-buddhist-wisdom-tradition/ Faith: Its Role and Meaning in a Buddhist Wisdom Tradition] ''Barre Center for Buddhist Studies''.
  
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[[category:Philosophy and religion]]
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[[category:Philosophy and religion]][[category:religion]]

Latest revision as of 00:32, 25 March 2024


Faith in something greater is an important theme in all the world religions. Painting by Albrecht Dürer.

Faith (from Greek-pistis and Latin-fides) refers to confidence, trust, and hope in God, a person, community, tradition, or locus of inspiration. The object of faith varies among people, but the common denominator is a level of conviction and an inner attitude towards a greater power or force in the universe. Etymologically, the word 'faith' is closely linked to the concept of "fidelity," which emphasizes commitment to something or someone. Faith can thus be envisioned as a trust in providence, and has been used as a synonym for religion, such as in the Buddhist faith or the Christian faith.

In a lesser sense, faith is often understood to mean 'loyalty' to a particular view of divinity, allegiance to a particular religious community and belief in its doctrines. Yet all religious traditions regard mere "belief"—intellectual assent—as faith of the weakest kind.

Faith is an important aspect of the world religions, and a common theme of human religiosity. According to Christian tradition, faith is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that provides impetus for humanity to move forward, and is said to be especially important when one encounters obstacles in life. Living a life of faith helps one transcend a limited view of self and live for the sake of the larger human community and the purposes of God. For many people, faith, or the lack thereof, is an important part of their overall identity.

Various Semantic Usages of Faith

The concept of faith is central to many religious traditions; yet, the term's usage is somewhat problematic due to it's elastic nature. For example, the word faith can be used in a variety of ways according to one's intention, perspective, and theological context. Protestant Christians, for instance, speak of the doctrine of Justification by Faith, which has a specific meaning within Protestant discourse (see below).

Generally speaking, faith has both an individual and a communal dimension: Personal faith is an individual's confidence, trust, and hope in something or someone greater, whereas Communal faith is a shared group commitment to similar ideals. Communities of faith can be of various kinds ranging from family and kinship groups, ethnic groups, religions, philosophical communities, political parties, or even scientific schools.

Moreover, the terms "faith" and "belief" are often used as synonyms albeit scholars such as Wilfred Cantwell Smith (1998) have nuanced the respective meanings of these terms. Typically, a "belief" implies an intellectual or mental assent to a proposition, whereas "faith" is a deeper holistic commitment of one's entire being to a higher calling, which resonates and permeates one's entire life. Thus, faith often includes an act of the will and an emotional commitment beyond the intellect, whereas beliefs are rooted in intellectual commitments and convictions.

Modern writers and skeptics often speak of blind faith in a pejorative manner. Critics describe faith as an "irrational practice" and argue that one should only accept what is directly supportable by logic or evidence. To have faith in a God or power without any reasons to support it is called fideism. Faith in the sense of being grounded simply in the sincerity of faith, has thus been ridiculed as "blind faith." However, faith need not be blind or submissive: both the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud, for example, depict a committed but contentious faithful relationship between the Jews and their God.

Faith in Religious Contexts

Faith in Judaism

In Biblical Judaism, faith is specifically understood as the continued obedience of the Jews to the commandments of God (Jehovah) found and repeatedly renewed in his Covenants. Thus, faith is tied to the context of God's Covenant with his chosen people, Israel. In practice, this means that Jews are expected to be faithful to God by following the 613 Mitzvoth, and honoring the holidays of the Jewish calendar, among other practices.

Faith in Christianity

The classic definition of "Faith" in Christianity is summed up in what many consider to be the greatest chapter on faith in the New Testament found in Hebrews 11:1:

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen."

While the precise meaning and content of faith in Christianity differs in some respects between the various Christian traditions, there is much common ground. In general, Christian faith is seen as 'hope in action' which tangibly manifests itself in the conviction that Christ is the Savior and Messiah of all humankind. Faith in this conviction is central to salvation in Christian theology. However, such faith is a gift of God (1 Corinthians 12:8-9), and Paul lists it along with hope and love as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Interestingly, Paul states that love is "the greatest" gift but faith is the ground of all else.

In Protestant theology, the concept of Justification by Faith is an important doctrine of various Protestant denominations. Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran Church, for example, states that faith alone (sola fide) is necessary for salvation. According to him, faith was not a mere "intellectual assent" to Church doctrines because this did not actually touch one's heart. In fact, he would consider this to be what Paul calls the "faith of demons" which merely acknowledges the existence of God. Luther wrote, "Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it."[1]

Luther argued that no amount of good works could ever compensate for a lack of faith. By deeming works necessary we deem Christ imperfect (see Romans 3:22-25). No sacrament or any church ritual is at all relevant in this matter; full justification takes place at the moment a sinner admits sin and trusts in the sacrifice of Christ who took the punishment for that sin. Sanctification is what follows as a result of gratitude for justification already completed. However, critics often point out that Luther's position is undermined by the Epistle of James, which states that people are "not justified by faith alone" (James 2:24).

Faith in Buddhism

In both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions of Buddhism, faith is known as saddha / sraddha and is an important aspect of the teachings of Buddha. Sraddha means provisional adherence to the doctrine of Buddha (dharma) until personal experience and practice convinces one of the truth. Although Buddha insisted that his disciples experience truth for themselves, once one embarked on the Buddhist Eightfold Path the process nevertheless required a degree of trusting confidence primarily in the spiritual attainment and salvational knowledge of Buddha. Faith in Buddhism centers on belief in Buddha as a supremely Awakened being, in the truth of his Dharma (spiritual doctrine), and in his Sangha (community of spiritually developed followers).

As Buddhism evolved and spread throughout Asia, the act of faith became very important in various forms of Mahayana Buddhism, which very much emphasized the importance of faith. For example, the Pure Land school of Mahayana Buddhism encouraged its practitioners to place ultimate faith the efficacy of the saving grace of Amitabha Buddha. Others placed faith the merit of various bodhisattva figures. Thus, faith to some degree helps propel the Buddhist practitioner towards the goal of Awakening (bodhi) and Nirvana or rebirth in higher celestial realms.

Faith in Islam

The Arabic word for "Faith" is Iman (Arabic: إيمان). This term literally means “to fully observe one's faith” or “to learn one's faith,” and lexically denotes affirmation and confirmation in the heart. It can be found in a verse of the Holy Qur'an, which proclaims that iman distinguishes a believer from a non-believer: "None can have faith except by the will of [Allah." Qur'an (10:100).

According to Islamic teaching, Iman means acquiescing to a truth of a thing in the heart (heart being the spiritual center). Faith is not mere belief, but firm commitment to knowledge of truth of which we do not doubt.

Faith in Chinese Religions

The word for "Faith" in Chinese characters consist of two characters (信仰); the first one (信), which consists of a pictograph of "a person" (人) and an ideograph of "words or speeches" (言), has a meaning of "trusting" or "believing." The second one (仰) consists of a pictograph of "a person" (人) and a radical with a meaning of "raising one's head and looking up to" (卬). Thus, faith in Chinese character has a connotation of "a human action of trusting in the words of a leader or a teacher in spiritual matters and looking up to him or her or a superhuman being behind him/her (Andrew Wilson's Scope Notes)."

Faith Development and Psychology

Many draw upon the field of psychology to enhance understandings of faith as a developmental process that evolves in certain definable stages. These faith development theorists, chief among them being James Fowler (1995), stand upon the foundation of moral development stage theorists like the pioneering Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, and others. Modern developmental psychologists explain faith as a developmental process that evolves in certain definable stages.

Scientific faith

Scientists have faith and beliefs. In this sense they are religious, or sometimes called quasi-religious. For example, many scientists believe in Darwinism, which has been called a "pseudo-religion." They believe that the concept of unguided random mutation and natural selection can explain the development of life on earth. While they can point to reasons why they believe this, they cannot prove it with the scientific method, nor can they disprove those who believe a Creator designed the universe.

Conclusion

Faith in something greater than oneself is a common theme among the world's religions. Faith is manifested both at the level of personal connection to something deeper in life, and at the level of commitment within a community. Whereas "belief" implies an intellectual assent to a proposition, faith is a deeper holistic commitment of one's entire being to a higher calling, which resonates and permeates one's entire life. The role of faith has an essential place in all religions, and has been an important way for humanity to live a fulfilling life.

Notes

  1. ↑ Martin Luther Martin Luther's Definition of Faith Retrieved July 16, 2020.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Buber, Martin. I and Thou. New York: Free Press, 1971. ISBN 0684717255
  • Fowler, James W. Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development. Harper San Francisco, 1995. ISBN 0060628669
  • Luther, Martin. By Faith Alone. World Publishing, 1998. ISBN 0529109670
  • Smith, Wilfred Cantwell. Faith and Belief: The Difference Between Them. Oxford: Oneworld Press, 1998. ISBN 1851681655
  • Sungenis, Robert A. Not by Faith Alone: Biblical Study of the Catholic Doctrine of Justification. Queenship Publishing Company, 1997. ISBN 1579180086
  • Tillich, Paul. The Dynamics of Faith. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2009 (original 2001). ISBN 0060937133

External Links

All links retrieved March 23, 2024.

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