What is Biblical Faith?

In Christian circles, we often speak of faith. We call Christianity the faith. When someone becomes a Christian we say they have come to faith. Salvation is by grace through faith. When we encourage someone to persevere, we tell them to keep the faith. In popular culture, Christianity is referred to as a faith. Faith is a virtue. Faith is good. Faith is essential. But where does knowing or reason factor into this equation? Does faith require that you know something to be true? Many Christians and most non-Christians assume faith and knowing aren’t really related. For these people, faith is more of a hope or wish. As Mark Twain once said, “Faith is believing what you know ain’t so.” But is this what the Bible says about faith?

Interestingly, the Bible speaks of faith and knowing in related but different ways. Faith, in the biblical sense, is trusting in God or his word. Genuine faith always involves obedience. If our faith doesn’t result in obeying God’s word, then such faith is fake. This is why James 2:25 says, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” Abraham is the classic example of faith. In Genesis 12-15, God manifests himself to Abraham, gives him several promises, and then calls him to obedience. Abraham believed God’s promises and obeyed his command to uproot his family. The New Testament authors, when talking about faith in Jesus, frequently refer to Abraham as the model. To have faith, one must believe in God and his word. Biblical faith, it turns out, is the exact opposite of Mark Twain’s definition.

But what about knowledge and reason? Do Christian’s know the things they have faith in? Can they be confident in Jesus and his Gospel? The Bible gives an affirmative answer to these questions. Not only does it suggest you can know divine truths, but this knowledge is available to anyone who seeks rightly. Consider what the following passages have to say about knowing and being confident in the truth of Jesus.

Luke 1:3-4 “…it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

John 8:32 “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”

Ephesians 1:17 “That God may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.”

John 20:30-31 “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

This is just a very small sampling of passages that represent a common theme throughout the Bible: you can know God and his truth. Not only can you know, but you can possess varying levels of confidence. But what these passages also illustrate is that faith isn’t some blind leap in the dark. Rather faith assumes you have some knowledge and then you act upon that knowledge. For instance, faith is knowing God is there and calling out to him. Faith is having some level of confidence that God is good and therefore obeying his commands. Faith utilizes whatever small bit of knowledge you have and turns it into action.

Knowledge without faith isn’t Biblical. Faith without knowledge isn’t Biblical. But faith based on the knowledge of God and his actions is indeed Biblical faith. Faith and reason are not opposed, but work in tandem. Neither should be neglected!