Post
by TheEditor » Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:07 pm
Hi Psimmond,
For some perspective; I was raised a JW. In that Organizations's soteriology regarding faith, faith is almost considered something that has absolute proof. The general term "faith" as used by most folks is decidely looked down upon. It is almost as though any faith not based on proof is credulity. It wouldn't be stated so bluntly, but that is the take-away.
So, for me, in my years since associating with the WT, I have had to come to a different apprehension of what "faith" constitutes. Faith demands evidence for the mind and a willingness to believe from the heart. In the case of Adam, one could say, I suppose, that he had "faith" that God would do as He said He would (regarding the woman's "seed") without perhaps knowing what that meant. But apparently there are degrees of what is considered faith:
"Jesus said to him: “Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe." (John 20:29)
How did first-century believers know the truth of the Gospel if they were not eye-witnesses of Jesus? Simply put, they knew because the Apostles knew. Likewise, how can a believer today know the truth of the Gospel? Simply put, he can know because the Apostles knew. All "faith" is really second-hand when you think about it I suppose.
Regards, Brenden.
[color=#0000FF][b]"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."[/b][/color]