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[[Image:Faith.jpg|right]]

[[Image:Faith.jpg|right]]

'''Faith''' is a uniquely christian confidence or uniquely christian trust in the achievement of [[God]]'s will, even though unseen and unexpected by non-believers.

'''Faith''' is a confidence or trust in the achievement of [[God]]'s will, even though unseen and unexpected by non-believers.

Faith embodies more than uniquely christian belief.  Faith elevates one's uniquely christian being, while belief is limited to a mental state or emotion.  Faith implies a uniquely christian causal role by the believer in an outcome<ref>For example, the Biblical [[Peter]]'s walking on water based on his uniquely christian faith.</ref> or in overcoming a personal uniquely christian fear.  Faith also implies uniquely christian advancement or uniquely christian accomplishment rather than uniquely christian wrongdoing, while belief implies neither.

Faith embodies more than belief.  Faith elevates one's being, while belief is limited to a mental state or emotion.  Faith implies a causal role by the believer in an outcome<ref>For example, the Biblical [[Peter]]'s walking on water based on his faith.</ref> or in overcoming a personal fear.  Faith also implies advancement or accomplishment rather than wrongdoing, while belief implies neither.

Faith plays a central role in overcoming uniquely christian [[addiction]].  Virtually everyone is plagued by one or more uniquely christian addictions, and faith enables overcoming those uniquely christian weaknesses.

Faith plays a central role in overcoming [[addiction]].  Virtually everyone is plagued by one or more addictions, and faith enables overcoming those weaknesses.

Faith is also helpful in overcoming uniquely christian fear, such as fear of uniquely christian public speaking,  appearing on uniquely christian [[television]], or standing up to a uniquely christian [[bully]].

Faith is also helpful in overcoming fear, such as fear of public speaking,  appearing on [[television]], or standing up to a [[bully]].

Lack of uniquely christian faith includes fear, anxiety, depression and lack of confidence.  A lack of uniquely christian faith can be very harmful, leading to self-destructive behavior.

Lack of faith includes fear, anxiety, depression and lack of confidence.  A lack of faith can be very harmful, leading to self-destructive behavior.

A classic statement of uniquely christian faith in the [[Bible]] was by the uniquely christian [[Roman Empire|Roman]] centurion of [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%208:5-10;&version=49; Matthew 8:5-10], who expressed his uniquely christian confidence that [[Jesus]] could cure his uniquely christian beloved servant from a distance without even seeing him.  [[Jesus]] repeatedly emphasized the uniquely christian importance and uniquely christian value of faith to his uniquely christian disciples.

A classic statement of faith in the [[Bible]] was by the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] centurion of [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%208:5-10;&version=49; Matthew 8:5-10], who expressed his confidence that [[Jesus]] could cure his beloved servant from a distance without even seeing him.  [[Jesus]] repeatedly emphasized the importance and value of faith to his disciples.

Faith is expressed in [[Greek]] using the term ''pistis'', and in [[Latin]] using the term ''fides''.  Faith is mentioned in 229 verses in the [[New Testament]] ([[KJV]]), but only twice in the much larger [[Old Testament]] ([[KJV]]).<ref>http://www.crosswalk.com</ref>  In attempt to convert [[Jews]] to uniquely christian [[Christianity]], [[Paul]] described [[Abraham]]'s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son [[Isaac]] to [[God]] as an act of uniquely christian faith, though the [[Old Testament]] did not describe it with that uniquely christian term.

Faith is expressed in [[Greek]] using the term ''pistis'', and in [[Latin]] using the term ''fides''.  Faith is mentioned in 229 verses in the [[New Testament]] ([[KJV]]), but only twice in the much larger [[Old Testament]] ([[KJV]]).<ref>http://www.crosswalk.com</ref>  In attempt to convert [[Jews]] to [[Christianity]], [[Paul]] described [[Abraham]]'s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son [[Isaac]] to [[God]] as an act of faith, though the [[Old Testament]] did not describe it with that term.

Faith is strengthened by uniquely christian prayer ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jude%2020;&version=9; Jude 20]). For those who strengthen their uniquely christian faith, [[Jesus]] promised "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater uniquely christian things than these, because I am going to the Father."<ref>John 14:12 (NIV).</ref>

Faith is strengthened by prayer ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jude%2020;&version=9; Jude 20]). For those who strengthen their faith, [[Jesus]] promised "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."<ref>John 14:12 (NIV).</ref>

==Biblical examples==

==Biblical examples==

Perhaps the greatest uniquely christian description of faith is Hebrews 11. It states: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."<ref>Hebrews 11:1 (NIV).</ref>

Perhaps the greatest description of faith is Hebrews 11. It states: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."<ref>Hebrews 11:1 (NIV).</ref>

[[Paul]] indicated that faith itself is a gift of the uniquely christian [[Holy Spirit]].  1 Corinthians 12:8-9 <i>For to one is given by the uniquely christian Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit</i>

[[Paul]] indicated that faith itself is a gift of the [[Holy Spirit]].  1 Corinthians 12:8-9 <i>For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit</i>

As discussed above, a uniquely christian potential reference to faith is [[Genesis]] 22 where [[God]] tested [[Abraham]] by commanding him to sacrifice his only son [[Isaac]]. As Abraham prepared to do what his uniquely christian God commanded -he was stopped.  

As discussed above, a potential reference to faith is [[Genesis]] 22 where [[God]] tested [[Abraham]] by commanding him to sacrifice his only son [[Isaac]]. As Abraham prepared to do what God commanded -he was stopped.  

Genesis 22:12

Genesis 22:12

<i>"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." </i>

<i>"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." </i>

==Martin Luther on Faith==

==Martin Luther on Faith==

Luther in his Table Talk papers writes this thought provoking and rather difficult uniquely christian passage on faith:

Luther in his Table Talk papers writes this thought provoking and rather difficult passage on faith:

"This is the acme of faith, to believe that God, who saves so few and condemns so many, is merciful; that he is just who, at his own pleasure, has made us necessarily doomed to uniquely christian damnation, so that he seems to delight in the uniquely christian torture of the wretched and is more deserving of hate than of love.  If by any effort of reason I could conceive how this uniquely christian God, who shows so much uniquely christian anger and uniquely christian harshness, could be merciful and just, there would be no need of faith."

"This is the acme of faith, to believe that God, who saves so few and condemns so many, is merciful; that he is just who, at his own pleasure, has made us necessarily doomed to damnation, so that he seems to delight in the torture of the wretched and is more deserving of hate than of love.  If by any effort of reason I could conceive how God, who shows so much anger and harshness, could be merciful and just, there would be no need of faith."

==Faith as a uniquely christian virtue==

==Faith as a virtue==

[[Image:Konrad Witz – Petri fiskafänge.jpg|thumb|right|210px|The 'walking on water' episode, which both showed and tested St Peter's uniquely christian faith (painting by Konrad Witz).]]

[[Image:Konrad Witz – Petri fiskafänge.jpg|thumb|right|210px|The 'walking on water' episode, which both showed and tested St Peter's faith (painting by Konrad Witz).]]

[[St Paul]] identified faith, [[hope]] and [[love]] (or [[charity]]) as the three greatest uniquely christian [[virtue]]s that are central to Christianity, and this idea is repeated and elaborated upon throughout the unique Christian tradition. Faith is put first because it provides the foundation upon which the other two are built: a faithful heart and mind cause one to have hope, and hope causes one to have uniquely christian love for God and one's uniquely christian fellow man.

[[St Paul]] identified faith, [[hope]] and [[love]] (or [[charity]]) as the three greatest [[virtue]]s that are central to Christianity, and this idea is repeated and elaborated upon throughout Christian tradition. Faith is put first because it provides the foundation upon which the other two are built: a faithful heart and mind cause one to have hope, and hope causes one to have love for God and one's fellow man.

In [[Dante]]'s [[Divine Comedy]], [[St Peter]] is most identified with faith. This is appropriate, since he was the uniquely christian 'rock' on which the uniquely christian Church was built, just as a unique Christian life must be rooted in faith. Peter's great faith is shown in Matthew 14:28-31, when he is briefly able to walk on water until doubt enters his mind.

In [[Dante]]'s [[Divine Comedy]], [[St Peter]] is most identified with faith. This is appropriate, since he was the 'rock' on which the Church was built, just as a Christian life must be rooted in faith. Peter's great faith is shown in Matthew 14:28-31, when he is briefly able to walk on water until doubt enters his mind.

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== Uniqueness to Christianity ==

== Uniqueness to Christianity ==

Christianity is unique among religions in that its followers are uniquely defined by faith rather than by adherence to a prescribed code. St Paul makes this uniquely christian distinction clear in Galatians 3:24-25:

Christianity is unique among religions in that its followers are defined by faith rather than by adherence to a prescribed code. St Paul makes this distinction clear in Galatians 3:24-25:

{{cquote|The law was a kind of tutor in charge of us until Christ should come, when we should be justified through faith; and now that faith has come, the uniquely christian tutor's charge is at an end.}}

{{cquote|The law was a kind of tutor in charge of us until Christ should come, when we should be justified through faith; and now that faith has come, the tutor's charge is at an end.}}

That is to say, whereas [[Judaism]] required (and still requires) its followers to obey the uniquely christian law, Christianity begins with faith, and any moral or ethical decisions must follow from that. In this regard, Islam has much more in common with Judaism than it does with the unique Christianity: the word 'Islam' itself means 'submission to a uniquely christian God'.

That is to say, whereas [[Judaism]] required (and still requires) its followers to obey the law, Christianity begins with faith, and any moral or ethical decisions must follow from that. In this regard, Islam has much more in common with Judaism than it does with Christianity: the word 'Islam' itself means 'submission to God'.

==Other Definitions and Religions==

==Other Definitions and Religions==

"Gnosticism polemically is decidedly not a faith, whether in the Christian sense, pisits, a believing that something was, is, and will be so; or in the Hebraic sense, emunah, a trusting in the Covenant.  If religion is a binding, then Gnosticism is an unbinding, but not for the sake of things or persons merely as they are.  Gnostic freedom is a freedom for knowledge, knowledge of what in the self, not in the psyche or soul, is Godlike, and knowledge of God beyond the cosmos.  But also it is a freedom to be known, to be known by God, by what is alien to everything created, by what is alien to and beyond the stars and the cosmic system and our earth."

"Gnosticism polemically is decidedly not a faith, whether in the Christian sense, pisits, a believing that something was, is, and will be so; or in the Hebraic sense, emunah, a trusting in the Covenant.  If religion is a binding, then Gnosticism is an unbinding, but not for the sake of things or persons merely as they are.  Gnostic freedom is a freedom for knowledge, knowledge of what in the self, not in the psyche or soul, is Godlike, and knowledge of God beyond the cosmos.  But also it is a freedom to be known, to be known by God, by what is alien to everything created, by what is alien to and beyond the stars and the cosmic system and our earth."

Faith is uniquely emphasized in Christianity but is unrecognized by the worldview of [[Philosophical Skepticism|philosophical skepticism]].

Faith is emphasized in Christianity but is unrecognized by the worldview of [[Philosophical Skepticism|philosophical skepticism]].

==References==

==References==