"What a load of Crock. I don't write the definitions given in dictionaries.
As it happens, there is a condition where people hold convictions without the support of evidence....which is why we say they have faith that their conviction is true.
Now, as we are talking about religion, which is a belief in any of a number of versions of God or gods, without the support of evidence, what do our dictionaries tell us?
faith 2: belief that is not based on proof: (He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.) 3: belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.
Definition of faith b- 1: firm belief in something for which there is no proof.
As anyone can see, these are not my definitions. It is not something I insist on, or how I ''understand it.''
This is just the definition of faith in relation to any belief that is held without the support of evidence.
As we have no evidence for the existence of any of the many versions of God or gods, to believe in these things is a matter of faith: as defined above.
You don't have a leg to stand on."
Nope and as usual you are either just plain wrong or in some clumsy attempt to “redefine” biblical. "What a load of Crock is right. You retreat into your own mind and dredge up nonsense based on your own opinion and NOT based on Jesus or Chrisian doctrine.
Like MM, you are simply making things up in an apparent attempt to convince ... yourself.....IDK...
So…..in this case you build a strawman to knock down.
Faith…..
1. - Where does “faith in God” come from?
Romans 1:16-17 ….”Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
2. – How does one receive “faith.” Faith is a gift but you must stretch out your hand and receive it. A “gift” is not a gift unless the recipient takes it. Believe the testimony of the Spirit about your own sin and the truth about Jesus and “choose” or “believe” …. Or “accept”…… use your own descriptor words here …. and faith is imparted to you. When it is imparted, there is no more doubt.
Ephesians 2:8-9……”For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.”
3. – Once you have faith, it is very very real.
Hebrews 11:1…..”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…”
Get that? “… the EVIDENCE of things not see.”
Simple terms…. “proof”
One can view this faith as “assurance”… or as confidence or simple “reality” …. Or as a “firm foundation”…. Or….. “the real being of..”…. or “ the actual existence of” ….or a “resolute trust” …. Or as “the substantial nature of….”
There are two points here... the first is that yes, there is real, reliable evidence..... the second is..... you... as yet, do not have it.
Hebrews 11:1 does not refer to external, objective evidence as a foundation for belief, it tells us that faith is its own justification.
''Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.'' - Hebrews 11:1 equates to ''belief that is not based on proof''
You say that there is evidence, but what you mean is subjective experience, which is an expression of faith.
Well, you are still wrong. You keep going back to a dictionary definition of faith and yet the general discussion regards “faith” as set forth in the Bible. You are apparently unprepared to discuss biblical faith. No surprise there.
Your comment on Hebrews 11:1:is simply incomprehensible. Faith is not it’s own justification. Just more bafflegab on your part.
You are also still wrong about God being not being detectable. Jesus performed many miracles during his earthly ministry and yet the Pharisees denied him and continued to reject Him. He was definitely “detectable” but no, He was still rejected. In the same way, even if Jesus walked among us today, I suspect you would find reason to reject.
To a certain extent, you are doing the same as the Pharisees……. The evidence of God is all around us and the ministry of the Holy Spirit is active and ongoing. But…. You are like the Pharisee that denies God. The Pharisees had the Old Testament writings that they seemingly ignored…. And then they had Jesus in their midst and yet denied Him.
I am pretty sure you will not do it…..your mind seems to be closed…. but your own investigation into why the Pharisees rejected Jesus may be instructive.
Btw… God is indeed “detectable” …… Seek and Find….. Don’t seek, Don’t Find……
Seemingly you and MM are both choosing “Don’t Seek”…… do not be fooled, this is a choice.
Last edited by TF49; 06/16/22.
The tax collector said: “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus said he went home “justified.”
