Atheists assert that faith is inferior to reason. One of the reasons (no pun untended) for this is that they usually have a misconception of what faith actually is, thinking it is blind faith or credulity. True Biblical faith is:
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”—Hebrews 11:1 NASB
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for, it is the evidence of things we cannot see”—Hebrews 11:1 NLT
“Faith” here is from the Greek word pistis, which refers “to confidence that something is real, with a strong implication that action will ensue from this belief” (NLT Word Study System).read more
IS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO PROVE GOD’S EXISTENCE?
Is there enough evidence to prove God’s existence? Atheists say, “No!”
“Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse”—Romans 1:20 NIV
BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY REQUIRES LESS FAITH TO BELIEVE IN THAN ATHEISM
While Christians are often derided for their seemingly “blind faith” in the Creator/God’s existence, the facts give powerful evidence the Biblical Creator/God is real. read more
Atheists Ask: “If God Is Real, Then Why Is Faith Required?”
First of all, when people ask this they are using a different definition of “faith” than the the Bible does. The average person thinks “faith” means: “blind faith”, or belief without any evidence, zero, zippo, nada. That is not Biblical “faith”. So let’s clarify what we mean Biblically by faith. “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidenceof things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NAB). Biblical faith has evidence in support of it, in fact, lots of it! For example: “Since the creation the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, been understood from what has been made” (Romans 1:20 NIV). We can see from the earth and the universe that there must be a designer and Creator. However, it is impossible to see Almighty God literally. “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live” (Exodus 33:20 CSB). This is why faith is required. In some ways it’s no different from things we think, and do, everyday, but without giving it much thought. Would you work for a company, or organization that you didn’t think was going to pay you on payday? No, you have faith, for good reasons, that you will get paid. You wouldn’t buy a car, or an appliance, if you didn’t at least have some faith, or reasonable expectation, that it would work. Your wouldn’t hire someone to do a job for you without some faith they could do it, would you? Logical reasoning tells us what Hebrews 3;4 says: “For every house is built by someone, but he that created all things is God” (Jubilee Bible). You didn’t see a certain house being designed or built, but you logically know that someone had to design and construct it. Why would we use different reasoning standard about the immeasurably more complex universe, and its designer and builder? Therefore, the Bible says: “Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God'” (Psalm 14:1 NLT). While it is true that “not all people have faith” (2 Thess 3:2), faith is required, and is available to all people!
Salvation Through Faith – What About Christian Works?
In our previous article on salvation, we established that the Bible does not support the eternal salvation (or “once saved, always saved”) doctrine. So how is a Christian saved? Is it by doing good deeds and refraining from doing bad things? Is salvation attained by Christian works? Or is it by faith alone? If by faith alone, then where do Christian works fit in? Let’s see what the Bible has to say on this matter.
Do Christian works produce salvation, or does salvation produce Christian works?
“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done.” (Ephesians 2:9 NLT) The same verse in the NIV says that salvation is “not by works.” So obviously, the Bible says our own works cannot save us. It is not saying that as Christians, we should not be doing good works. Rather, it is saying that salvation is not attained simply by doing good works.
“To cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.” (Titus 2:14 CSB) We Christians should be eager to do good works.
“To equip his people for works of service.” (Ephesians 4:12 NIV) So God’s people, Christians, are saved and continuously equipped for “works of service.” So rather than being the mechanism by which Christians are saved, good works are actually a product of salvation. A Christian who is truly saved will be equipped by God for good works and will therefore be fully able to accomplish these works.
“You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.” (Revelation 3:1 CSB) A Christian who is not working for God and Christ is spiritually dead.
“For I have not found your works complete before my God.” (Revelation 3:2 CSB) While no amount of Christian works can save the Christian, works of Christian service are vital for a Christian so that Jesus “will never erase his name from the book of life.” (Revelation3:5 CSB)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV) Saved Christians are “God’s handiwork.” God through Christ has done a special work being “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:24 NIV) The point of being “saved” (vs. 8) starts the work of being “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” This is not “working one’s way to salvation,” but working for God and Christ because one is saved. Anyone who is not saved is “dead” spiritually in “transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV) But now, God has “made us alive with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV), to do good works.
James 2:14-26 discusses the relationship of faith and works in some detail, even giving Biblical examples, such as Rahab and Abraham. The main point is “that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24 CSB) He says that “I will show you my faith from my works.” (James 2:18 CSB) Obviously, proper Christian works are vital, not optional. While no Christian can earn their salvation through good works, James’ conclusion is that “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26 CSB)
But let’s be clear: Just as “Abraham was” not “justified by works” (Romans 4:2 CSB), neither are we. Let no one mistake that.
Just as Romans 4 uses Abraham as an example of how no one is justified or declared righteous by works, but by faith, James 2 uses Abraham to prove that genuine faith is accompanied by works.
“You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” (James 2:20 NIV) Some who don’t like what James says here about works claim this contradicts what Paul says about faith alone in Romans. Martin Luther, for example, was one of them. He, and others today, have dismissed James as being uninspired. Like other parts of the Bible that may appear to be contradictory but are actually complementary, James and Romans complement each other. How so?
“You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (James 2:22 NIV) Without actions, faith is incomplete. Biblical faith and works go together.
“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'” (James 2:23 NIV) Abraham believed God, “so much so that he was willing to sacrifice his one and only son.” (Hebrews 11:17 NIV) This is how Abraham’s faith and works worked together. One was not complete without the other.
The misunderstanding that many have based on scriptures such as Romans 4 is that they don’t look at the scriptures in context. When the scriptures are looked at isolated from their context, misunderstandings occur. What is the context of Romans 4?
Notice how many times in Romans 4 circumcision is mentioned. The Jews thought that outward actions proved their righteousness. They also were fanatical about keeping the Mosaic Law, and all their man-made rules pertaining to it. By doing all this, they thought their righteousness was guaranteed. This is similar to pagans thinking they could manipulate their gods through various actions. Notice how Romans 4:14 refers to “those who depend on the law” (NIV). Romans 4 therefore argues against dependence on “works of the law” (Galatians 2:16 NIV), like Galatians does.
Getting the context of Romans and Galatians helps us to see clearly there is no contradiction between these two Bible books and the book of James. Paul tells us that Christians are saved through faith and not works, and James tells us that Christians who are saved through their faith will produce good works as a result of their faith. These ideas are not contradictory – they are complimentary. Christian works are an outward sign of faith, but they are not the means of salvation. And this faith in Jesus Christ and the work he accomplished is the only means of salvation.
First of all, when people ask this they are using a different definition of “faith” than the the Bible does. The average person thinks “faith” means: “blind faith”, or belief without any evidence, zero, zippo, nada. That is not Biblical “faith”. So let’s clarify what we mean Biblically by faith. “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence