Thursday, November 6, 2014

Faith

  1. Definition:
    1. 1828: In theology, the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed. Simple belief of the scriptures, of the being and perfections of God, and of the existence, character and doctrines of Christ, founded on the testimony of the sacred writers, is called historical or speculative faith; a faith little distinguished from the belief of the existence and achievements of Alexander or of Cesar.
      1. Understanding (mastery)
      2. Truth (faithfulness)
      3. Belief (principle)
        1. Faith is gaining a mastery of true principles, generally found in the scriptures or gospel of a religion. It something one does, not something one has. Faith is the process while testimony is the result.
  2. Quotes:
    1. “To have faith in God is not knowing that God exists or knowing that he will act, rather it is that the one with emunah (faith) will act with firmness toward God's will.” (Jeff A Benner)
      1. Faith is doing. Doing something because of a belief you have. To have real faith in Christ you must do as He would have you do.
    2. “And so it is with our eternal journey. We take one step at a time. In doing so we reach toward the unknown, but faith lights the way. If we will cultivate that faith, we shall never walk in darkness.” (Gordon B. Hinkley)
      1. Faith is a guiding force. If you are using your faith, you are allowing God to direct you. Anything you do by faith is allowing God to direct you and to lead you.
  3. Scriptures:
    1. “Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.” (Moroni 10:20)
      1. Faith is essential, but it is important to remember that it is an action based on hope. Hope is confidence in God and His promises. Hope comes from Charity, which is honest love of others. If one seeks to have faith, one must first have charity.
    2. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)
      1. Again, faith is action. One cannot have faith because it is more like a verb than a noun. to really have faith, you must be actively serving and being a good person. It is the application of charity.
  4. Personal Definition:
To have faith is to do. To do things which your Father asks. It is a mastery of true principles. It is a force that can guide and direct you. Faith is acting of hope, which comes from charity. Faith is the direct application of the pure love of Christ.
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6 comments:

  1. Color GirlNovember 6, 2014 at 10:47 AM

    True or False: "Faith is believing in things which are not seen, which are true." Is faith an action and believing something? I like that, it is a mastery of true principles. What does faith have to do with focus?

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    Replies
    1. The EudaimonistNovember 7, 2014 at 6:33 AM

      I think faith and focus are very similar. The words "Faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God" are often found together. I think having your eye single to God's glory (or focusing on Him) encompasses the whole of the other four ideas. Faith included.

      I think that when we have faith, we end up focusing on God. Its kinda hard to believe in something you can't see unless you're focusing on it, y'know? Do you have any other ideas on that?

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    2. Color GirlNovember 11, 2014 at 10:00 AM

      I actually quoted the Book of Mormon. The bible quotes this scripture as "Faith is believing in things which are not seen" the words "which are true" are added, and very important.

      Having an eye of faith which means to focus, faith is a shield (the shield of faith in Ephesians 6:16) and the Love of God. AKA we should focus on the 'Love of God' with the 'Eye of Faith.'

      In Moroni 10:11 is says that faith is a gift. Is faith only a gift? Doesn't God have to give us faith? How can we strengthen our faith if its a gift?

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  2. The EudaimonistNovember 7, 2014 at 6:28 AM

    Thats a great question, thanks for asking it! It really got me thinking.

    So you got me questioning my perception of both words, but, as you cited the bible, I thought that I'd go do some Hebrew research!

    I based this word study on the Hebrew concept of faith being an action. SO I won't delve much deeper there. But I will talk about believing!

    The Hebrew word for believe is aman. Aman is defined as "a primitive root; properly to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figurativly to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain" (http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/20_poetry.html)

    I think that believing something is also an action. When you say it this way, "Faith is building up or supporting things which are not seen, which are true" I think that sheds more light on both sides. I don't know. You have any other thoughts?

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    Replies
    1. Color GirlNovember 7, 2014 at 1:59 PM

      I agree with both of those things. Elder Kevin W Pearson said: "There is a quality of faith which develops as we focus all of our heart, might, mind, and strength."

      In Alma 5:15–26 it asks a lot of good questions about this. It also talks about an "Eye of Faith" which I think goes along with what you are talking about here, and is what Elder Pearson was talking about. So to have that kind of faith we really have to focus on it and have a desire.

      I think that you have to focus to have faith. A wise man once told me that we cannot develop faith on our own, God gives it to us if we ask, seek, knock (and I would add) focus. :)

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    2. The EudaimonistNovember 11, 2014 at 11:16 AM

      I agree, especially with that last point you made. I think faith by definition requires a lot of continued focus. It's that "Eye single to the glory of God." Faith, hope, and charity all use quite a bit of focus, and they all go together. What do you think about that threesome?

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