The Christian faith is both reasonable and justified. The very language of the Hebrew Old Testament reveals that our faith is intrinsically linked to truth. It is founded firstly and primarily upon God\u2019s consistent and reliable Word.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Blind Faith<\/h1>\n
by\u00a0John C. P. Smith<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The concept of \u201cblind faith\u201d is a recent invention, found nowhere in Scripture. If you go back to God\u2019s Word, you\u2019ll find that the Hebrew word for faith, by its very definition, refers to a logical, robust, unwavering confidence in the truth.<\/p>\n Christians, especially six-day creationists, are often accused of blind faith. Is this fair? What is meant by blind faith? Indeed, what is faith?<\/p>\n Hebrews defines\u00a0faith<\/i>\u00a0as \u201cthe assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen\u201d (Hebrews 11:1<\/a>, NAS). As Jesus explained it to Thomas: \u201cBlessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed\u201d (John 20:29<\/a>). So faith, as commended in God\u2019s Word, is being sure about something that wasn\u2019t witnessed firsthand (including creation,\u00a0Hebrews 11:3<\/a>), or that cannot be seen now, or that is yet to be revealed.<\/p>\n By this definition, all faith is blind! If we can see something, then faith is no longer operative.<\/p>\n BY THIS DEFINITION, ALL FAITH IS BLIND! IF WE CAN SEE SOMETHING, THEN FAITH IS NO LONGER OPERATIVE.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The fact is that everybody has faith of sorts. Evolutionists have faith in their version of origins, subway passengers trust a train driver\u2019s skills, and children believe they\u2019ll get gifts at Christmas. All are relying on something unseen.<\/p>\n Some faith may be unwarranted, and no doubt this is what\u2019s meant by blind faith. In contrast, the Christian faith is both reasonable and justified. It is founded firstly and primarily upon God\u2019s consistent and reliable Word. And while it doesn\u2019t require external proof, it is entirely compatible with physical evidences. God may be invisible, but His qualities are clearly seen in nature (Romans 1:20<\/a>; see other evidences in\u00a0Answers<\/i>\u00a0April\u2013June 2011,\u00a0pp. 48\u201364<\/a>.)<\/p>\n The very language of the Hebrew Old Testament reveals that our faith is intrinsically linked to truth. The two words for faith and truth\u2014emunah<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0emet<\/i>\u2014are even sometimes translated interchangeably in different Bible versions. Both Hebrew words derive from the same root,\u00a0aman<\/i>, meaning \u201cfirmness, certainty, reliability.\u201d So rather than being nebulous, biblical faith\u2014like truth\u2014is sure and certain.<\/p>\n An integral part of\u00a0emet<\/i>\u00a0is reliability and faithfulness, even though the word is most often translated \u201ctruth.\u201d Biblical truth stands firm over time like the temple\u2019s pillars,\u00a0omnot<\/i>\u00a0(\u201cfirm supports\u201d), another word derived from\u00a0aman<\/i>\u00a0(see\u00a02 Kings 18:16<\/a>).<\/p>\n Ironically, it\u2019s actually human philosophies and theories that are nebulous, not biblical faith. Jesus said that those who ignore His teachings, whether in their thinking or behavior, are like houses built on sand, destined to collapse (Matthew 7:24\u201327<\/a>). In contrast, those who live according to \u201cthe truth\u201d (John 14:6<\/a>), like houses on bedrock, can endure all hardships faithfully.<\/p>\n Indeed, a key element of\u00a0emunah<\/i>\u00a0(often translated \u201cfaith\u201d) is faith-fullness: persistent trust in God and His promises, no matter what. We see examples of\u00a0emunah<\/i>\u00a0in the woman with long-term bleeding (Matthew 9:22<\/a>), the Canaanite woman whose daughter was demon-oppressed (Matthew 15:28<\/a>), and blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:52<\/a>). They believed and persisted.<\/p>\n Jesus commended such faith. He likened faith to a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20<\/a>) because, though it may start small, with faithful nurture it can grow to achieve big things for God\u2019s glory.<\/p>\n A further derivative of\u00a0aman<\/i>\u00a0is\u00a0amen<\/i>. In saying \u201cAmen\u201d after a prayer or statement, we endorse its truthfulness and confirm our agreement with it. A fitting translation is \u201cSure!\u201d<\/p>\n God is the Rock, and He never changes (Malachi 3:6<\/a>). He is totally trustworthy, always fulfilling His promises. He is\u00a0El emunah<\/i>\u00a0(Deuteronomy 32:4<\/a>) and\u00a0El emet<\/i>(Psalm 31:5<\/a>)\u2014\u201cGod of faithfulness\u201d and \u201cGod of truth.\u201d Thus, faith in our reliable God and the truth of His Word is both well-founded and reasonable. Amen!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Christian faith is both reasonable and justified. 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