Faith
Faith in a practical sense is the belief that something will happen or that someone will do something. For example: When you sit in a chair, you have faith that the seat will hold you. The amount of evidence to support the faith varies from “blind faith” where there is little or no evidence to support the belief through to a requirement for a comprehensive set of proofs. For some people, on some subjects, faith is impossible no matter how much evidence is provided.1
Biblical faith is famously defined in Hebrews 11:1 as:
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
(Heb 11:1)
This aligns well with the common understanding but “faith” in this context is referring to Faith in something specific: God. Hebrews 11 goes on to enumerate a long list of people from the Old Testament who all lived their lives in a Godly way and endured great trials because they had faith that one day God would reward them with something wonderful2 (God’s Kingdom).
The challenge with faith is that because it is based on limited information, it is difficult to decide what to have faith in.
Fortunately God does not demand blind faith. He has provided a great deal of evidence to support Faith in Him. However, at the same time, God does not provide definitive proof. Hebrews 11 informs us that this is because faith is a requirement of God:
Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
(Heb 11:6)
At this point, some may scoff that it is convenient that God has instituted a precondition that effectively means that God himself is preventing us from obtaining proof of His existence whilst at the same time demanding that we believe in Him. In isolation, that opinion is logical and understandable, especially when we consider how many have abused this situation for their own personal gain by falsly claiming that they have special dispensation that allows them to fill the gap. Nonetheless, it is still an opinon formed on ignorance. The necessity for faith can only be understood when the purpose of God is comprehended and the plan that God has implemented. It is important to understand that details of God’s plan and purpose do not require special revelation, it has already been provided in the Bible and careful study will reveal it.