What Is Faith?

The Question "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Heb. 11:1). But what does faith look like in practice? Is it the opposite of doubt?

Background The Greek πίστις (pistis) encompasses trust, faithfulness, and conviction. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew אֱמוּנָה (emunah) means steadfast faithfulness — Abraham "believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness" (Gen. 15:6). Faith in the Bible is never merely intellectual agreement with propositions; it involves the whole person — mind, heart, and will. Hebrews 11, the "hall of faith," portrays faith as active trust that leads to action, often against all visible evidence.

🟤 Evangelical View Faith is personal trust in God and His promises — specifically trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ for salvation. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith" (Eph. 2:8). Faith is the instrument by which we receive God's grace.

The Reformers identified three components of faith: 1. Notitia (knowledge) — Understanding the content of the Gospel 2. Assensus (assent) — Agreeing that it is true 3. Fiducia (trust) — Personally relying on Christ

Even demons have notitia and assensus (James 2:19 — "the demons believe and shudder"); saving faith requires fiducia — personal trust and surrender.

Faith is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8 — "this is not from yourselves"), though it also involves human response. It does not require the absence of doubt — the father in Mark 9:24 cried, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Even within faith, honest struggle is welcome.

Key Scripture: - Hebrews 11:1 — Faith is the assurance of things hoped for - Ephesians 2:8-9 — By grace through faith - Romans 10:17 — Faith comes from hearing the message - Mark 11:22-24 — Have faith in God

Practical Application:

Faith grows through exercise. Take a step of trust — in prayer, in generosity, in serving others. When doubt arises, bring it honestly to God. Read the stories of Hebrews 11 and draw courage from those who trusted God against all odds.

🟢 Progressive View Faith is less about believing correct doctrines and more about radical trust in the character of God — even when life is confusing and God seems silent. Paul Tillich defined faith as "ultimate concern" — the orientation of our whole being toward what matters most.

The progressive tradition embraces doubt as a companion of faith, not its enemy. Frederick Buechner wrote: "Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it alive and moving." Rachel Held Evans described faith as "trusting God enough to be honest about my questions." A faith that cannot withstand questioning is fragile; a faith that has walked through doubt emerges stronger.

Faith as trust (rather than certainty) reframes the spiritual life. We don't need to have all the answers — we need to trust the One who holds us. Abraham didn't know where he was going (Heb. 11:8); he trusted the One who called him. That is the paradigm.

Key Scripture: - Habakkuk 2:4 — The righteous will live by their faith(fulness) - Mark 9:24 — I believe; help my unbelief! - Hebrews 11:8 — By faith Abraham... obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going

Practical Application:

Give yourself permission to question. Faith is not certainty — it is trust in the dark. Surround yourself with a community that welcomes honest questions. Remember that the opposite of faith is not doubt but indifference.

Discussion Questions 1. Is faith more about what you believe or who you trust? 2. How do you handle seasons of doubt? What has helped? 3. What is one step of faith you feel called to take right now?

Bridging the Two Views Both perspectives affirm that faith is relational trust, not merely intellectual assent. Both honor the biblical witness that faith often coexists with struggle (Jacob wrestling God, Psalms of lament, Thomas's doubt). The evangelical emphasis on the content of faith (trusting Christ specifically) and the progressive emphasis on the posture of faith (openness, humility, courage) are both needed. Perhaps the most mature faith is one that holds deep convictions with open hands.