Posted by rayww on November 15, 2004, at 12:19:51
In reply to About faith...., posted by 64bowtie on October 29, 2004, at 1:42:41
This thread has taken some interesting turns, but going back to the idea of dictionary definitions of faith, how do you feel about the Bible Dictionary definition of faith? Here are three Bible dictionaries:
LDS Bible Dictionary:
http://scriptures.lds.org/bd/contentsEaston Bible dictionary:
http://www.ccel.org/e/easton/ebd/ebd/T0001300.html#T0001302Web Bible Encyclopedia:
http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/faith.htmlHere is another person's interpretation of the definitions:
["What is the difference between just ordinary prayer and a “prayer of faith”? As we consider that question, the difference is immediately apparent. The difference is faith, and what is faith? Of course, there are many definitions of faith, but one definition is “a strong belief plus action.” It is not perfect knowledge, but real faith lets a man act as if he knows it is true when in fact he does not.Therefore, faith in a real sense is power—power to act and perform without actual knowledge. The Lord’s formula for receiving the Spirit, then, is to get on our knees and communicate with him. Tell him what we are going to do—make commitments with him—outline our program—and then get up off our knees and go and do precisely what we have told him we would do. In the doing, the Spirit comes."]
When the spirit comes it is accompanied by faith.
The difference then between the world's definition of faith (excluding God) and the Bible's definition of faith (embracing God), is the spirit. People want to discover this spirit, and increase their spirituality, become a more spiritual person, develop their spiritual sense,The goal then should be to find the right spirit, the right God, the right definition. The choices are all here for chosers to choose.
You say, "I keep hearing faith bandied about as a designated end or purpose, ignoring the object of the very faith (God) being felt, leaving me wondering how we got there."
Do we agree that the only way to "feel" God is throught the spirit? Does that feeling strengthen our faith? Have you ever felt it?
I agree totally with what you say here:
"At no time do these definitions imply that faith is a weapon to be used to wipe out beleivers in other faiths."Here you use faith to mean one's religion:
"Also, testing folks' integrity based on their ferver in this or that faith, implies faith is more important than God."And, this one I reallly like, and agree with totally:
"For a long time now I have thought that this odd application of faith needed a different word to describe. Suddenly last week it came to me; FAITHISM: faith in faith itself, or faith is the object of the faith itself."
Your definition of FAITHISM should be added to both the world and Bible dictionary.Would belief in Jesus Christ be defined by you as faith as a religion? This is my definition of faith as a religion, quoted from another's words:
http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-439-13,00.htmlThese words I also echo.
rayww
poster:rayww
thread:408646
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040914/msgs/416234.html