What is Faith?

Question

Come up with your own definition of faith. It could be scientific or religious...doesn't matter.

Try to keep it concise. :)

Answer 1

Faith is a belief, trust, or confidence, not based on logic, or reason.

Answer 2

My answer was going to be exactly like Sunspot Baby's so intead I will just point you all to her post. Good job baby!

Now that's the definition for religious faith. Some people use faith as a synonym to trust, which is ok, but just realize that 'religious faith' is NOT a synonym to trust.

Because you have clear evidence of your friend Joe existing, and have clear evidence that he comes through for you in the past (picked you up when you got a flat tire, loaned you money when you needed it, was there for you when your dog died etc; ) , you have TRUST in joe. But you don't have anything close to clear evidence of God existing, and you only believe God has come through for you in the past (so not clear evidence), so you have FAITH in God.

Everyone see the difference? I hope so. Because if I hear some schmoe making the argument that everyone has faith (even atheists) I may scream. Religious faith is not the same as trust.

Answer 3

My definition is not my own, but it is faith as defined in the New International Version of the Bible, in the book of Hebrews, Verse 11, Chapter 1.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

The same verse in the Message translation of the Bible states:

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see."

Faith is trusting that God is faithful to His promises, even when it seems that He is not near. It is believing without a doubt even though you cannot see, nor prove it.

A child has faith in her imaginary friends, though they are simply imaginary. A faith such as that where you believe with everything is the sort of faith we should have. A childlike faith.

Answer 4

It happens; or it does not happen. And certainly it does not happen if we try to force it upon ourselves, just as it shall not happen so long as we think, in our self-complacency, that we have no need of it. Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness. It strikes us when we walk through the dark valley of a meaningless and empty life. It strikes us when we feel that our separation is deeper than usual, because we have violated another life, a life which we loved, or from which we were estranged. It strikes us when our disgust for our own being, our indifference, our weakness, our hostility, and our lack of direction and composure have become intolerable to us. It strikes us when, year after year, the longed-for perfection of life does not appear, when the old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: "You are accepted. You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now; perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now; perhaps later you will do much. Do not seek for anything; do not perform anything; do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted!" If that happens to us, we experience grace After such an experience we may not be better than before, and we may not believe more than before. But everything is transformed. In that moment, grace conquers sin, and reconciliation bridges the gulf of estrangement. And nothing is demanded of this experience, no religious or moral or intellectual presupposition, nothing but acceptance.
(Paul Tillich)

Answer 5

The beginning point of faith is believeing in God's character: He is who he says. The end point is believing in God's promises; He will do what he says. When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don't see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.
Heb 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.

Answer 6

Rather, God's Word states: "Thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself. 18 Nevertheless, a certain one will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith BY my works.” "Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if a certain one says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it?" (James 1:22, 23. 2:17, 18.) Also, “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:21-23.)

The apostle Paul said that “faith follows the thing heard.” (Romans 10:17) This natural progression from hearing the Word of God to exercising faith in his Son, Jesus Christ, puts us in line for everlasting life.

Paul described the faith of Enoch and other witnesses when he wrote: “Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.” (Hebrews 11:1) Yes, faith is the confident expectation, based on assurances, that the things we hope for will come true. It involves an expectation so strong that it affects the focus of our life.

. “Faith,” says the apostle Paul, “is not a possession of all people.” (2 Thessalonians 3:2; Gal. 5:22, 23.)

"6 Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please him [God] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." (Heb. 11:6.)

Romans 10:10 says: “With the heart one exercises faith.”

If you would like further information or a free home Bible study, please contact Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or visit http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 7

You are on the roof of a burning building. There only way down from the roof is to use a rope that is laying there. You can believe it is a rope and you are not going anywhere. You could of read a lot of books on ropes but you are still on the roof. You could be a super duper certified CEO of the rope repellers of the world but you are still on the roof. You are going to need to have FAITH in that rope to grab a hold and use it to climb down to safety.

Answer 8

I believe faith to be that strong hold.. peace of mind that in the midst of every storm there is an opportunity for God to bless you in some way.

Answer 9

I use faith as a synonym for trust in conversation, but I tend to think of it more as belief without substantiated proof.

Answer 10

Believing without seeing.