What is faith?

One of the most foundational terms in Christianity (and other world views for that matter), I am astounded with how often faith is referenced but neither defined nor taught about in modern times.  Jesus and others spoke/taught about faith on a regular basis, but today we seem to assume everyone instinctively understands what faith is and how it works.  Rather than settle with that flawed assumption, let’s take a moment to explore faith through a few different lenses.

First, we’ll start with the trusty dusty dictionary definition, which considers faith to be: confidence or trust in a person or thing, a belief that is not based on proof.  Not surprisingly, this seems to be our culturally adapted view and is prevalent in movies and tv shows.  This also seems to be the common working definition for most of the people I’ve met and had conversations with through the years.  But does this tell the full story?  Or is there something more that we’ve been missing?

For those who’ve been around church for a while, you’ve probably come across the book of Hebrews at some point, and more specifically its famous passage “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1).  We are immediately met with a direct contradiction to the dictionary definition of the word.  Where the dictionary supposes faith to be (partly) a belief that is not based on proof, the author of Hebrews supposes faith to be (partly) the evidence/proof of things not seen.  

To make matters even more confusing, James makes a sharp distinction between belief and Biblical faith.  “You believe that there is one God.  Good!  Even the demons believe that — and shudder.” (Ja. 2:19).  And in fact, much of this same chapter outlines James’ assertion that faith is not merely a belief system, but rather a lifestyle – a series of faithful actions fueled by our confidence in, and the evidence of God’s faithfulness.

But this by itself might feel unclear.  Perhaps a brief exploration into the original Hebrew and Greek words of Scripture can provide further insight.

The two Hebrew words for faith come from the same root, and have similar but distinctive meanings.  Emun (ay-moon) means established, trustworthy, faithful, true.  And the other word, Emunah (ay-moon-naw) means firmness, security, stability, moral fidelity, and faithfulness.  We are at once met with the recurring themes faithful and faithfulness.  If the language itself serves any indication, the Israelites would not distinguish between faith and faithfulness.  In other words, to say I have faith in God would to be also saying that I am living in faithful relationship with God and in accordance with His Word.  It is no mere belief system detached from my actions and lifestyle.

So what about the New Testament? 

The Greek word for faith, pistis, means persuasion, credence, moral conviction, assurance, belief and fidelity.  This reveals that there is an element of belief in faith, but it also goes beyond simple belief, and once again there is that element of fidelity/faithfulness that is inseparable from the rest.  And this seems to be the very thing James was emphasizing in chapter 2:  “faith” without works/faithfulness is impossible, dead, doesn’t exist.  In fact, faith is evidenced and proven by our actions.

Our faith is revealed in how we live.  Who do we trust?  What authority do we accept and place ourself under?  What ideas, concepts, abstractions, conclusions and assumptions do we consider to be credible?  Are we more quick to accept an idea based on who said it, or on how logically consistent it is, or how comfortable it makes us feel or how progressive, radical, conservative, liberal, conventional, traditional, new-age, religious, irreligious, abstract, concrete, analytical, artistic or beautiful it is?  

And if so, why?  And if not, why not?

In a sound-bite culture, we have grown uncomfortable with the idea of evaluating our own thoughts, actions and faith.  And yet the fact persists that every person is a person of faith – all that remains to be determined is who or what is the object of our faith.

And here once again the author of Hebrews provides unique insight for our consideration.  “Now faith (pistis) is the substance (hupostasis) of things hoped for, the evidence (elengkhos) of things not seen.”  Hupostasis is a firm support/foundation, confident assurance or substance, and elengkhos is proof, evidence or conviction based on evidence.  

And with that, I submit that we have a quality working definition of faith.  What follows, then, is an admonition for each of us to evaluate and assess the source and worthiness of our faith.  What are the foundations we’ve been building our life on?  What evidence and proof are we basing our decisions and actions upon?  If we claim faith in one thing or person but our lifestyle proves our faith is in something or someone else, we have lied to ourselves and to others.  The good news is that while it may be too late to go back and re-write our beginning, we can still start now to write a new ending to our story.  I’ll leave you with the famous charge from Joshua, “Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24:15).