BiblicalInsights.net

      J. P. Moreland and Klaus Issler teamed up to produce In Search of a Confident Faith.    This book addresses the cultural and religious misunderstanding of faith.  The authors relate some interesting background material.  Dec. 20, 2005, the Barbara Walters special: Heaven: Where is it?  How do We get There?” aired.  Just a few months earlier, Dateline NBC featured a special on demonization and ABC’s Elizabeth Vargas hosted an hour-long program on the resurrection of Jesus.  These programs all shared a common misunderstanding about faith.  In all three shows, the final conclusion was simply that some people believe in demons, the resurrection of Jesus, and heaven and some don’t.  But, in the final analysis, no one is really right or wrong, and even if someone is right, no one can really know one way or the other.  But, that doesn’t matter because, ultimately, one’s choice of a viewpoint is a matter of (blind) faith (p. 15).
     Blind faith is separated from knowledge of the truth and from accurate understanding of the truth.  This concept is false.  Paul declares, “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing of the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).  Personal faith is anchored in truth (God’s Word–John 17:17). 
      Paul also declares, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is true” (I Thess. 5:21).  We have an obligation to have evidence for those things that we believe to be true.  The explicit statements in the Bible form the basis of the evidence that we possess regarding the truthfulness or untruthfulness of any proposition.  We can use the Scriptures authoritatively to establish a proposition to be true or false (see Jesus’ use of the Scriptures in this manner–Matt. 22:29-32).  Consequently, we must try (prove) the spirits whether they are from God or not (I John 4:1-2). 
     Paul also states, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).  The word understanding means to join the perception with the thing perceived.  The mind of man can understand accurately the will of God.
     Faith involves knowledge of the truth and proper understanding of the truth.  Faith is confidence of the promises of God and conviction of the  precepts of God (Heb. 11:1).  Faith is “taking God at His word.”  Faith is trusting God implicitly.  Faith is a choice to accept God’s Word as the final authority.  Faith always involves knowledge of the truth, understanding of God’s Will, human volition, and reliance upon God.  It is never blind!