Imagine an empty container representing the truth on a subject. A person \u201cpours\u201d evidence into the container, trying to fill it to the brim and arrive at the complete truth on a matter. When it comes to religious faith, however, according to many in Christendom, the container cannot be completely filled<\/strong>. The space that is left at the top of the container, between the evidence and the brim, must be filled in with blind \u201cfaith.\u201d So, according to them, belief in God, for instance, rests ultimately, not on the evidence, but irrational faith.<\/p>\n In truth, the Bible does not so define faith. The Greek word for faith used in the New Testament (pistis<\/em>) is not a mystical word only applicable when discussing religious faith. It is the Grecian word equivalent to the English words \u201cbelief\u201d or \u201ctrust.\u201d3<\/a><\/sup><\/a> When we \u201cbelieve,\u201d \u201ctrust,\u201d or \u201chave faith in\u201d someone, that faith is based on evidence. If a parent, for example, has proven himself to be trustworthy, we believe him. If we do not know a person and have no evidence to substantiate his integrity, to believe in him would be a blind (evidence-less) faith, which would be irrational and unwise. Scripture incessantly makes the point that we should come to a knowledge of the truth based on the evidence<\/strong> that has been provided to us. According to Romans 1:20, so much evidence has been provided to come to the truth of God, that not to come to the right conclusion is \u201cwithout excuse.\u201d We can know<\/strong> the truth\u2014not merely accept it \u201con faith\u201d\u2014and it will set us free (John 8:32). We should test or \u201cprove all things\u201d before believing them, only holding to that which is good or right (1 Thessalonians 5:21). As did the \u201cfair-minded\u201d Bereans of Acts 17, God wants us to search for evidence that substantiates a claim before blindly believing it (verse 11). Since many false teachers are in the world, He tells us to \u201cnot believe every spirit, but test the spirits\u201d before believing them (1 John 4:1). Unlike blind faith (i.e., fideism)\u2014which pits itself against reason4<\/a><\/sup><\/a>\u2014Paul believed in establishing truth using reason (Acts 26:25). In fact, Jesus told His audience to not believe Him<\/strong> if He did not substantiate His claims with evidence (John 10:37).<\/p>\n The blind \u201cfaith\u201d idea is unbiblical. The biblical portrait of faith would be more like evidence being \u201cpoured\u201d into our truth container. The \u201cevidence\u201d rises to the top of the container and begins pouring over the top. Where \u201cfaith\u201d comes in is when we look at the truth, verified by evidence, and choose<\/strong> whether or not to believe it. Most do not and will not (Matthew 7:13-14). It is their own choice, but it is not because God has not provided enough evidence to come to the truth. Rather, they have rejected the evidence which is readily available, due to their own personal motives.<\/p>\n As is always the case when I receive the question that the young men asked at the seminar, they are shocked when I respond that I do not agree that faith is \u201cbelief without evidence\u201d\u2014that our faith is in fact demanded by the evidence. On this occasion the atheists were shocked five times over, since all of the speakers on the panel nodded in agreement with those words.<\/p>\n \t\t1<\/a><\/sup><\/a> \u201cFideism\u201d (2015), Merriam-Webster On-line Dictionary<\/em>, http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/fideism<\/a>, emp. added.<\/p>\n \t\t\t2<\/a><\/sup><\/a> \u201cFaith\u201d (2017), Merriam-Webster On-line Dictionary<\/em>, http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/faith<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\tEndnotes<\/h2>\n
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