Posted by verne on November 15, 2004, at 22:54:07
In reply to Re: Faith is not an end. Faith, like belief, is a tool, posted by Jai Narayan on November 15, 2004, at 20:59:21
Jai,
My heart goes out to you - what with the catholic experience. It's foreign to me but I came to know the Bible later.
I agree with you. When faith becomes a "tool" it is "man's" instrument. When we have such a handle on faith, we don't have it at all. As soon as we say that we have this kind of powerful, "tool-driven" faith, we have none.
I like what Paul said in the New Testament, when he said, "I believe in the Unseen". He hadn't completely figured it out but he filled it in with Love, Hope, and Faith. (footnote: I disagree with Paul over just about everything he said about women and eventually concluded that his misogynist remarks WERE NOT inspired by the Spirit, Holy or otherwise)
Someone who "abides in the Vine" does not "use" faith. The use of faith - usually for signs, wonders, and healing - puffs up and deludes - it's a worldly thing in man's power, and usually for man's ends.
It's one thing to tell this mountain to be removed, but yet another, to talk about it afterwards and schedule further miracles. You can't "control" the Spirit - what human conceit.
verne
poster:verne
thread:408646
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040914/msgs/416452.html