Faith

Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Consider this post some further reflections on the topic raised in an earlier post on Belief and Action: reflecting on the importance of what we believe as Christians and what we do as Christians. As I wrote then, I did not write belief verses action. Proper belief must precede Christian action, else what we do is really meaningless.

Proper belief is important both for truth and also because boundaries are necessary. But, as you all know, I have struggled with – and do not accept – all of the myriad nuances in doctrinal belief that have torn Christians apart over the centuries.

Hebrews 13: 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

It seems to me that many Christians look at this verse and look at other Trinitarian Christians and say “they have various and strange doctrines.” Listen to many Christian podcasts and you will hear this regularly about “the other” traditions or denominations.

But it might be worth considering this verse in a different way – one not in a way designed to tear us apart, but in a way that might bring us together. I may at some point come back to this verse, as it is worth exploring how “not profited” might be used to examine the so-called “necessity” of certain doctrinal beliefs that have divided Christians (has Christ “profited” from these divisions?). I include it here only to mark: proper belief comes first if action is to count for anything in a Christian life.

Call me a “Mere Christianity” type of Christian (although, as pointed out to me by RMB several years ago, Lewis, or my retelling of Lewis, did not include the necessity of the Trinity in the hallway). Not that staying in the hallway is a good idea, but once in the hallway, as far as I am concerned you are in the house.

OK, too much introduction. This will be an exploration of chapter 11 in Hebrews, and it will be me winging it (as I did in my Belief and Action post), as I am not relying on a book by a theologian to guide me.

But I begin with something from chapter 10:

Hebrews 10: 38(a) Now the just shall live by faith

This, and other Scriptural quotes are all from the NKJV. Other translations say “my just one” or even they shall live by “my faith” (which I will come to later). But all describe how the just shall live – and “live,” to me, is key (go back to my “Belief and Action” post to understand why).

This verse sets the stage for chapter 11. There are two key words in this opening verse of chapter 11: substance, and evidence. Other translations for “substance” use: confidence, assurance, certainty; for “evidence,” assurance, conviction, proof. Yes, assurance is used by one or another translation in both cases; never both times in the same translation that I saw.

So, faith gives substance, confidence, assurance, and certainty of what we hope for. Substance implies something tangible, a physical reality – the other three do not necessarily imply this. But the other three all can be damaged by evidence.

For example regarding these latter three, one can have faith (confidence, assurance, certainty) in a spouse or business partner, but one transgression by the other, and that faith (confidence, assurance, certainty) can be lost. So, somehow, all of these terms suggest something of action, of doing (or not doing). Faith gives substance to our hope: something we can see, touch, smell.

Further, faith gives evidence (assurance, conviction, proof) of things not seen. Here, again, “evidence” implies something tangible, a physical reality. “Proof” seems to imply this as well. However, “assurance” or “conviction” may not – yet, again, both assurance and conviction can be lost if a spouse or business partner transgresses in some meaningful way.

Chapter 11 in Hebrews continues by offering several examples of those who lived by faith. How did they do this? Almost every example is a “doing” example:

Hebrews 11: 4(a) 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain…

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Enoch pleased God. Genesis 5 tells us that Enoch did this by walking with God.

7(a) By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household…

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9(a) By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country…

You will see I am, for now, skipping Sarah. I will come to her later, as I think there is a key offered in her example.

The author of Hebrews continues:

17(a) 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac…

20(a) By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau…

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23(a) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents…

His parents hid Moses.

24(a) By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter…

27(a) By faith he forsook Egypt…

28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood…

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land…

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.

They marched around Jericho.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

All of the above demonstrated faith by action – how they lived, what they did. Our “faith” is lived; how we live gives substance and evidence of our faith.

But, now, to Sarah, whose example offers something different and worthwhile, throwing a bit of a curveball into this discussion:

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

By faith, she “received strength to conceive.” It is impossible that this “conceiving” had anything to do with a physical act by Sarah (well, one, but not that one). She didn’t demonstrate her faith by deciding to conceive. She believed God would provide the strength – that God would do the work (well, after a couple of speed bumps on her part).

Conclusion

Here, again, not much of one. A topic that I am working through, with all feedback welcome.

Epilogue

Again, referring to my earlier Belief and Action post: this post generated as many comments as any post in quite some time, each of them helpful. Prompted by a comment from RMB-Monahorns, I offered something of a “why am I leaning so far into the ‘action’ part of Christian life,” and think this is worth sharing:

RMB, I think part of what is going on with me is what I am reacting to / against. Being raised in what would be described as a "Bible Believing" protestant church, the focus is overwhelmingly doctrinal teaching. Now, in truth, I can react against this perhaps only because I can take it for granted that I have been taught doctrine and the Scriptures well.

But I see in other traditions that action is a large focus - doing what God commands, doing good works, etc. So for me, this emphasis is enlightening - and the realization of its importance is convicting. At the same time, I know many people who come out of these traditions (RCC / EO) that don't know Scripture at all - even those made deacons!

I do believe that proper belief must come first: we certainly must love the true God as He is presented to us in Scripture, else all the works in the world will be irrelevant. Recognizing His role vs. our role in our life is also important - the works are all His and all to His glory.

Like I say, I think I am just working to overcome the overemphasis I was raised on regarding doctrine...

This part of my journey, sporadic as it is, will continue.