faith chapter 1

8/14/2019 Faith Chapter 1

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Dynamics ofDynamics of

TheologyTheologyFaith as a Dimension of theFaith as a Dimension of the

HumanHuman


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Faith as a Dimension of theFaith as a Dimension of the

HumanHuman

BackgroundBackground Faith is a universal human phenomenonFaith is a universal human phenomenon

There is a need to probe deeper into theThere is a need to probe deeper into the

theology of faiththeology of faith

Why? Since an understanding of theWhy? Since an understanding of the

nature of faith gives us interpretationsnature of faith gives us interpretations

of the meanings of statementsof the meanings of statements(theological)that flow from faith(theological)that flow from faith


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HumanHuman

Faith as Universal HumanFaith as Universal Human

PhenomenonPhenomenon All human existence consists in freedomAll human existence consists in freedom

Freedom is not merely the power toFreedom is not merely the power to

choose; rather, it is to act in a stablechoose; rather, it is to act in a stable

and consistent mannerand consistent manner

Freedom to dedicate the self and actFreedom to dedicate the self and actpurposefully, among otherspurposefully, among others


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HumanHuman


PhenomenonPhenomenon Freedom, though, is not really freedomFreedom, though, is not really freedom

unless it passes into actionunless it passes into action

Full reality of freedom consists in actionFull reality of freedom consists in action

Freedom-in-action, in turn, carries with itFreedom-in-action, in turn, carries with it

the necessity of faiththe necessity of faith


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HumanHuman


PhenomenonPhenomenon Human freedom in action never seeksHuman freedom in action never seeks

nothingnessnothingness

Beneath individual actions, there is aBeneath individual actions, there is a

quest for a purposeful whole, one notquest for a purposeful whole, one not

concerned merely with finite objectsconcerned merely with finite objects(maze analogy, Harry, Frodo)(maze analogy, Harry, Frodo)

No finite object can supply what isNo finite object can supply what is

demanded by the logic of human actiondemanded by the logic of human action


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PhenomenonPhenomenonThis non-availability of finite objectsThis non-availability of finite objects

makes faith a constitutive part of humanmakes faith a constitutive part of human

lifelife

People have a center of gravity thatPeople have a center of gravity that

they adhere to, a balancing act ofthey adhere to, a balancing act ofindividual choices and decisionsindividual choices and decisions

This center of gravity shows that faith isThis center of gravity shows that faith is

a common human phenomenona common human phenomenon


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PhenomenonPhenomenon But faith raises the question, WhatBut faith raises the question, What

supreme reality is most worthy of thesupreme reality is most worthy of the

dedication of human freedom?dedication of human freedom?

Value of human freedom may beValue of human freedom may be

measured by object of faithmeasured by object of faith


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HumanHuman

The Nature of FaithThe Nature of Faith Faith is both subjective and objective,Faith is both subjective and objective,

passive and activepassive and active

It is an actual human response toIt is an actual human response to

reality, not just intellectual assent orreality, not just intellectual assent or

emotional feelingemotional feeling

Faith is both central and centeringFaith is both central and centering


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HumanHuman

The Nature of FaithThe Nature of Faith Commitment of faith entails aCommitment of faith entails a

dependence on the values onedependence on the values one

surrenders the self to (passive)surrenders the self to (passive) But also, it entails a response: FidelityBut also, it entails a response: Fidelity

and loyalty to the object of faith in theand loyalty to the object of faith in the

form of action (active)form of action (active)


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HumanHuman

The Object of FaithThe Object of Faith Should be transcendent, unlimited,Should be transcendent, unlimited,

absolute since human beings want toabsolute since human beings want to

be, and be fullybe, and be fully If the object of faith is not transcendentIf the object of faith is not transcendent

(i.e. nation, power, wealth), it is not(i.e. nation, power, wealth), it is not

genuinely religiousgenuinely religious Affirmations that are warranted byAffirmations that are warranted by

empirical evidence are not theologicalempirical evidence are not theological


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HumanHuman

Faith and KnowingFaith and Knowing Since object of faith is transcendent, itSince object of faith is transcendent, it

cannot be known in the ordinary orcannot be known in the ordinary or

empirical senseempirical sense Faith has a cognitive dimension, butFaith has a cognitive dimension, but

does not simply involve a knowledge ofdoes not simply involve a knowledge of

things that can be mastered orthings that can be mastered orquantifiably verifiedquantifiably verified


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HumanHuman

Faith and KnowingFaith and Knowing What people commit themselves to inWhat people commit themselves to in

faith is not ordinary knowing since thefaith is not ordinary knowing since the

object of faith is transcendentobject of faith is transcendent One is dealing with faith because oneOne is dealing with faith because one

does not fully know the answerdoes not fully know the answer

Verification of the object of religiousVerification of the object of religiousfaith can only be eschatologicalfaith can only be eschatological


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HumanHuman

Faith and KnowingFaith and Knowing Because object of faith is transcendent,Because object of faith is transcendent,

it must be given and revealed to theit must be given and revealed to the

personperson Faith is to transcendent as knowledge isFaith is to transcendent as knowledge is

to finite reality of the worldto finite reality of the world

However, faith interacts with knowledgeHowever, faith interacts with knowledgethrough imagination, interpretation andthrough imagination, interpretation and

ideologyideology


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HumanHuman Faith and BeliefsFaith and Beliefs

Faith is more than belief; beliefs areFaith is more than belief; beliefs areexpressions of faith but distinct fromexpressions of faith but distinct from

faith itselffaith itself Believing suggests acceptance ofBelieving suggests acceptance of

something as true on the basis ofsomething as true on the basis oftestimony or word of anothertestimony or word of another

Faith is a surrender and loyalty of theFaith is a surrender and loyalty of thewhole personwhole person


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Faith and BeliefsFaith and Beliefs Beliefs about Christianity have changedBeliefs about Christianity have changed

over time with a variety of thoughtover time with a variety of thought

systems and pluralism of ideassystems and pluralism of ideas However, Christian faith in God stillHowever, Christian faith in God still

remains unchangedremains unchanged


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HumanHuman

Faith and BeliefsFaith and Beliefs Faith exists alongside imaginativeFaith exists alongside imaginative

portrayals of the object of faithportrayals of the object of faith

These arise from knowledge of theThese arise from knowledge of the

world, which vary by culture or traditionworld, which vary by culture or tradition

Beliefs cannot represent a truth forBeliefs cannot represent a truth for

anyone apart from faithanyone apart from faith Affirmation of faith requires faithAffirmation of faith requires faith


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HumanHuman

Faith as PraxisFaith as Praxis Faith is faith in that which ultimatelyFaith is faith in that which ultimately

guides and directs ones actionsguides and directs ones actions

Faith is constituted by ones behavior,Faith is constituted by ones behavior,

not by what one merely saysnot by what one merely says

What do we live for? What directs ourWhat do we live for? What directs our

actions?actions? Doctrines and beliefs are principles ofDoctrines and beliefs are principles of

actionaction

faith chapter 1

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