If God requires Faith...?

Question

and that Faith is based on the Bible, once you believe the Bible, does it not then become proof? You, therefore, no longer have Faith in God but you have proof of God, which defeats the whole point of Faith!

In other words, if you have Faith in God you must, by necessity, admit it is possible God doesn't exist at all and you are wasting your life because if you deny that possibility, you no longer have Faith but proof (at least enough for you to be 100% convinced, either way it's no longer Faith at that point). Therefore you would have to keep an open mind to other possibilities and perpetually return to the Bible, would you not?

I am not twisting words. Dictionary.com:

Faith: 1.confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.
Proof: 1.evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, or to produce belief in its truth.

Everyone sites the Bible as proof of God, or at least proof enough for themselves. But if you believe something, it is truth to you and has been proven sufficiently enough for you to take it as true, which is therefore no longer faith.

Answer 1

FAITH IS NOT PROOF......

FAITH IS BELIEF--IN UNSEEN....

Answer 2

Good question!

Archaeological digs have proven much of the history and geography of the bible, but not proof God exists. Prophesies foretold long ago that have come to pass offer the best proof of God. But only when I see God face to face will I have real proof of His existence, at least as humans understand proof.

But God doesn't need to prove Himself to anyone. Christian's walk by faith. We don't seek evidence in the bible that He exists. I know that's a tough one to swallow for a lot of people.

But faith, or belief, must come first. Without it, you cannot understand what the bible is really saying. Through faith, God gives us spiritual discernment. We come to understand what others cannot. So we don't need proof. We just know. That's not meant to be arrogant. But that is how it works.

Answer 3

Faith IN God or faith ON God is the question here, is it not? You present a good observation ! Firstly; the existence of God is very provable with current, scientific data at one's disposal. Personally; I was one never to just suck up anything without solid proof - including God and Darwin's Evolution theory. I have proved God's existence with scientific research and the historical record. Evolution (Darwin's: Origin of The Species) I studied and researched it to find the theory as a whole not too plausible when stacked up against the scientific data. The Bible, overall, can be trusted as a valid Book, as it stands up to the geological findings and archeology discoveries. The problem with either, God or the Holy Bible is not with neither, but with people, who claim to know what it [Bible] states and when investigated, there can be uncovered, lots of bad theology. It is important to remember, the Bible spans thousands of years of HUMAN history but more importantly, God deals with His plan throughout concerning humans He has chosen to "work with". True and genuine science does concretely, support the Bible record; whereas, the true and genuine Biblical record does support science. Usually, it is all a matter of timing - but eventually, the proof becomes ultimately substantiated. Faith is not a consequence of claiming belief on God but faith is a gift from God, through the Holy Spirit, in a relationship with Him. Faith in mere humanistic terms is what people DO to claim a belief in something that he or she has not taken the "pains" to research scientifically, and arrive at an objective conclusion. God demands that His followers use their brains to come to "know Him" with. That is why, education to research, to both, read and write, to think and objectively reason is paramount for Christians. Paul the Apostle, who authored most of the books in the New Testament was educated in the San Hedron (hope I spelled it properly) method, which was equivalent to a Doctorate degree, in today's standards. Knowledge is only a part of the quest for identity for mankind with His Creator. There is the SPIRITUAL element, which is aquired through a RELATIONSHIP with God [Jesus Christ] . Then, and only then, does the whole panaramic perspective of why the purpose for human life comes into focus. Christianity is not something one does but who you ARE. The question, "Who are you" - can not be answered any other way !

Answer 4

To borrow a quote from "Princess Bride": Surely you have a dizzying intellect ;-). However, the point has to be made that when we Christians talk of having faith, it is not intellectual ascent -- anymore than when we speak of belief that we mean a purely intellectual exercise. Faith and Belief are in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ for the Christian -- and are descriptive of the ongoing relationship we enjoy with Him -- e.g. trusting in, relying/depending upon Him pragmatically. Hence, the argument that Faith is obviated by provability misunderstands the nature of Faith -- the point or goal of Faith is not to establish proof. Hebrews 11 (which we often refer to in order to describe Faith) demonstrates Faith is far more than a concept to be grasped.

Answer 5

So you're saying you do not understand faith? That much makes sense...

You sound like those people who try to impress others at parties by talking about whether a tree falling in a forest makes a noise or not.

Your point is effete.

Hebrews 11:
1Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. 2It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God.
3Because of our faith, we know that the world was made at God's command. We also know that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

The faith does not make the Bible to be the truth, as you hope to use to find a loophole...

The faith *is* the proof.

Barjesse37

Answer 6

BELIEF- an opinion or conviction

FAITH- belief that is not based on proof:

PROOF- evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true

you have faith in your belief of God & the Bible, but no proof.

Answer 7

Boy! you American's are so modernist!
God is primarily relational (Augustine on the trinity) and created us to be relational (Karl Barth on the Imago Dei).
With or without the Bible - it's all about relationship with God... even for the christians before the NT was around or for christians in remote china with no knowlege of the Bible's existance.
Relationship with your husband/wife still requires faith even when you've got them basically worked out.
Also our understanding of the Bible changes (as with the slave trade etc) and if the Bible really is living and active as Paul writes to Timothy, it more about how much of you the Bible goes through rather than how much of the Bible you have gone through,
Grace brother!

Answer 8

'Proof' isn't based on belief. A person can believe with all of their heart that unicorns visit them in the middle of the night and leave little magic droppings which make a person happy when eaten, but total belief in that doesn't prove that is what happens.

The teachings of the Bible require faith. If you can't provide that, if that in itself isn't good enough, then I suggest you find something that is.

Edit: Your Additional Details doesn't address my answer concerning the unicorns. You can "prove" anything to yourself by twisting your perceptions into believing that something is true. "My boyfriend's cheating on me because I believe absolutely that he is, so that's proof." "That's not rust coming out of the faucet, that's chocolate syrup. It's true because I have faith that it is, so that proves it."

Answer 9

Faith is like this. Christ said many ( that is many not few ) people will mock you, insult you and accused you of many lies. But trust in me, when you pass through waters you will not be drowned. When you pass through fire you will not be burned. I love and I will take care of you. That is faith, believing in God and His words.

There is a lot of non-believers here, that always saying that Christian is wasting their time in believing in something that does not exist. Well, if it gives me comfort, inner peace and happiness, joy and confidence in life. What is wrong with that?
If your non belief gives you that, then i can see no problem either?

In the end of the day let us see who can sleep well at night and wake up with a smile and confidence in the morning.

Answer 10

I don't think you know much about Christian beliefs.
"Faith is believing in things not seen"

"Faith comes by hearing the word of God"
The bible is not proof of God. Where did you get this info. because it is false.
†

Answer 11

You are confused on the definition of "faith'. Faith is simply "what you believe", thats all, nothing else. If you come to "know" something, then if you still believe it-then you still have your faith. If you "stop believing" once you know it to be true-that is stupidity-not loss of faith.
Faith in God is absolutely "worthless" if it is not true.