Faith is objective. This statement means Biblical faith is sourced in the Bible and established solely upon the solid factual understanding of what God says ("rightly dividing the Word of truth," II Timothy 2:15) in His Word about spiritual realities invisible to us about what He has done and is doing, Who He is, and what He expects from us. Biblical faith is not a blind, ignorant leap into the darkness. Biblical faith is an informed leap into the light.
"12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:12-17).
God's provided source for faith in what He has done and is doing, Who He is, and what He expects from us "cometh by hearing . . . the word of God" (Romans 10: 17). Faith does NOT come by integrating the ideas about God from all religious writings, ideas, philosophies, or traditions about gods (Pluralism; demanding tolerance for all religious views and ideas about the gods, i.e., inclusivism). Therefore, Romans 10:17 is the purest definition of Fideism. |
