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'''Faith''' is a essential concept in [[Christianity]], referring to a confidence or trust in a greater good as provided by the [[Lord]].  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 servant from a distance without even seeing him.  [[Jesus]] repeatedly emphasized the importance and value of faith to his disciples.

Biblical '''Faith''' (from the Greek, πίστις or ''pistis'') refers to ''trust'', and if applied refers to applying a confidence in what is already known about God, to a situation where every detail is not laid out in full.

* In Biblical [[Judaism]], faith is specifically understood as the continued obedience of the Jews to the commandments of [[God]] ([[Jehovah]]) found and repeatedly renewed in his [[Covenant]]s. Thus, faith is tied to the context of God's [[Covenant]] with his chosen people, [[Israel]]. In practice, this means that Jews are expected to be faithful to God by following the 613 ''Mitzvoth'', and honoring the holidays of the Jewish calendar, among other practices. [http://www.encyclopediaproject.net/wiki/Faith#Faith_in_Christianity]

The verb for the word "faith" in Greek is πιστεύω (pisteuo), which is translated most often as "believe" in English. Having faith, believing, trusting, or having confidence are all things that imply much more than a simple head knowledge about something, and more specifically God himself. For example, it is possible to acknowledge God's existence and know it as a fact deduced from logical arguments, and yet still not make God a practical faith, belief, trust, or confidence in your life.

 

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

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

Often times the example of a chair is given to illustrate the practicality of biblical faith. When you sit down in a chair (and perhaps you are now, while reading this article), do you generally worry whether that chair will hold you up? Usually, one will never think about the chair, and take it for granted. Another way to think of that same illustration is a person who sits on the edge of their seat, because they are nervous about the chair. They are not sitting back and resting in the chair, but tensed and ready just in case it turns out that the chair becomes untrustworthy and falls over.

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.

This is what it means to have biblical faith in God. It means a knowledge of God and who he is in his character and actions, and practically resting in that knowledge from day to day.

==Biblical examples==

==Biblical examples==

Perhaps the greatest description of faith is that of the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], chapter 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 that of the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], chapter 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>

Faith is 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==