KOG Book 6 Biblical Faith

What does Scripture say about believing God?

Faith is obviously a vital topic in Christian theology.  The words “faith” and “believe” occur almost 500 times in the NT alone.  However, the concept is much more complex than is assumed, prompting John Stott to write:  “One wonders if there is any Christian quality more misunderstood than faith.”  We hope to correct that here.

First, we defend the critical point that faith is used in a variety of ways in Scripture, and demonstrate that there is saving faith, false faith, miracle faith, empowering faith, and visionary faith.  If these are not distinguished, serious error occurs as demonstrated in both Arminianism and charismaticism.

Included is an extended section on visionary faith that enables us to step out in courage, taking risks to pursue human plans to fulfill God’s commands.

Also, we discuss the ingredients of biblical faith, and its foundational dependence on a divine revelation.  Accordingly, we correct pluralism and inclusivism, believed by such respected Christians as John Wesley, Billy Graham, and C. S. Lewis which believes in salvation apart from a revelation of Christ.

Finally, we demonstrate that the strength of our faith in anything or anyone depends on reason, and the evidences it perceives and evaluates.  There is no such thing as a biblical “leap of faith” apart from reason.