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First effort at documenting different uses of the word "faith."
'''Faith''' is a uniquely [[Christian]] concept referring to a confidence or trust in a greater good. 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>
'''Faith''' refers to any of a number of different things:
* '''Confidence or trust in a greater good'''<ref>Hebrews 11</ref>;
* '''Loyalty''': To be faithful, as in keeping one's commitments (e.g. "She was a faithful wife");
* '''Trust''': To have faith that a person will keep their commitments (e.g. "I have faith in you");
* '''Commitment to reason''': “Faith... is the art of holding on to things your reason once accepted, despite your changing moods.”<ref>C.S. Lewis</ref>
* '''Belief without evidence''';
== Etymology ==
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>
Faith embodies more than belief in two significant respects. First, faith implies a causal role by the believer in an outcome, as in [[Peter]]'s walking on water based on his faith or in overcoming a personal fear. Second, faith implies advancement or accomplishment rather than wrongdoing.
Faith embodies more than belief in two significant respects. First, faith implies a causal role by the believer in an outcome, as in [[Peter]]'s walking on water based on his faith or in overcoming a personal fear. Second, faith implies advancement or accomplishment rather than wrongdoing.
Outside of [[Christianity]], faith is misused as a synonym for "belief". The [[Merriam-Webster]] dictionary, for example, includes this definition of faith: "a system of religious beliefs."<ref>http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/faith</ref>
Outside of [[Christianity]], faith is misused as a synonym for "belief". The [[Merriam-Webster]] dictionary, for example, includes this definition of faith: "a system of religious beliefs."<ref>http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/faith</ref>
Alternatively, faith often refers to a "firm belief in something for which there is no proof" or evidence.
Alternatively, faith often refers to a "firm belief in something for which there is no evidence" or evidence. This use, however, is totally absent from the Scriptures. No person in scripture described as being "of faith" believed without evidence. They all had signs, miracles, and the word of God, and were ''faithful'' in their trust in God to keep his commitments, as well as their own commitment to keep their commitments to God.
In the [[Koran]], the concept of submission to [[Allah]] is mentioned 11 times, while the concept of faith in Allah is mentioned only once.
In the [[Koran]], the concept of submission to [[Allah]] is mentioned 11 times, while the concept of faith in Allah is mentioned only once.