Faith without humility

[Partinobodycula]

Faith is an amazing thing. It has led men to acts of unimaginable courage, and uncommon sacrifice. But it seems sometimes, that faith has a way of leading men more toward arrogance and self-righteousness, then grace and godliness. It seems somehow, that faith without humility, is more vice than virtue.

This forum is unique in the number of users who have learned to marry faith and self-assurance, with humility and compassion, and their posts are a delight to read, but I must admit that there are times when I read the postings of some users, and they seem to be more preoccupied with defending the veracity of their beliefs, then with portraying the virtues of their faith. It seems that they are more concerned with being right, then with being understanding. It’s as if to question their beliefs, is to question God Himself. I realize that I may be judging too harshly, and that words do not come as easily, or as eloquently to some, as they do to others. I only wish to remind them, that it’s not always what you say that matters, as much as how you say it. All I really ask, is that you speak to my heart, and from yours. There is something very compelling about humility.

It’s a wonderful thing, to have faith. To have the courage of one’s convictions. But one mustn’t forget, that faith cannot be beaten into others, it must be inspired in them.

And always, always remember, faith, hope, and love…and the greatest of these, is love.

.

 

[Alberti_Devoveo]

Faith is an amazing thing. It has led men to acts of unimaginable courage, and uncommon sacrifice. But it seems sometimes, that faith has a way of leading men more toward arrogance and self-righteousness, then grace and godliness. It seems somehow, that faith without humility, is more vice than virtue.

This forum is unique in the number of users who have learned to marry faith and self-assurance, with humility and compassion, and their posts are a delight to read, but I must admit that there are times when I read the postings of some users, and they seem to be more preoccupied with defending the veracity of their beliefs, then with portraying the virtues of their faith. It seems that they are more concerned with being right, then with being understanding. It’s as if to question their beliefs, is to question God Himself. I realize that I may be judging too harshly, and that words do not come as easily, or as eloquently to some, as they do to others. I only wish to remind them, that it’s not always what you say that matters, as much as how you say it. All I really ask, is that you speak to my heart, and from yours. There is something very compelling about humility.

It’s a wonderful thing, to have faith. To have the courage of one’s convictions. But one mustn’t forget, that faith cannot be beaten into others, it must be inspired in them.

And always, always remember, faith, hope, and love…and the greatest of these, is love.

.

I must admit, I am piqued by your commentary. Assuming you actually believe that you are a solipsist, then we on this forum are just figments of your imagination, so we really owe our delightful posts to you. So this then means that you are flattering yourself by trying to flatter others.

 

[Partinobodycula]

I must admit, I am piqued by your commentary. Assuming you actually believe that you are a solipsist, then we on this forum are just figments of your imagination, so we really owe our delightful posts to you. So this then means that you are flattering yourself by trying to flatter others.

Touché

I had not intended for this thread to become a debate about solipsism. My beliefs are really unimportant. I’m not here to evangelize, or persuade anyone. It is enough if you simply become a kinder person by my presence.

But if you believe that God could create you with free will, then would it really be that inconceivable, for a solipsist to believe that they did the same.

.

 

[Qoeleth]

I think you have made an important observation. Often, I am guilty of the very thing- of letting a degree of pride come into debates.

In fact, if we are honest, none of us knows anything for sure (and even this, I do not know for sure). Perhaps then, humility is a good goal.

Epicurus- “He who loses an argument has a greater gain than he who wins it, since the former learns more than the latter.”

 

[NonNobisDomine]

At the heart of this seems to be the difference between faith and belief. I’d die for my faith, but I’d kill for a belief.

 

[fhansen]

Faith is an amazing thing. It has led men to acts of unimaginable courage, and uncommon sacrifice. But it seems sometimes, that faith has a way of leading men more toward arrogance and self-righteousness, then grace and godliness. It seems somehow, that faith without humility, is more vice than virtue.

This forum is unique in the number of users who have learned to marry faith and self-assurance, with humility and compassion, and their posts are a delight to read, but I must admit that there are times when I read the postings of some users, and they seem to be more preoccupied with defending the veracity of their beliefs, then with portraying the virtues of their faith. It seems that they are more concerned with being right, then with being understanding. It’s as if to question their beliefs, is to question God Himself. I realize that I may be judging too harshly, and that words do not come as easily, or as eloquently to some, as they do to others. I only wish to remind them, that it’s not always what you say that matters, as much as how you say it. All I really ask, is that you speak to my heart, and from yours. There is something very compelling about humility.

It’s a wonderful thing, to have faith. To have the courage of one’s convictions. But one mustn’t forget, that faith cannot be beaten into others, it must be inspired in them.

And always, always remember, faith, hope, and love…and the greatest of these, is love.

.

Christian faith is considered to be a theological virtue, and therefore a gift, necessarily related to humility before God and in any case accompanied by at least some degree of humility even in its’ initial stages. Increased humility should be one of its fruits but that virtue can still be frustratingly elusive for most of us homo sapiens, IMO.

 

[DeepBlueSea]

Christian faith is considered to be a theological virtue, and therefore a gift, necessarily related to humility before God and in any case accompanied by at least some degree of humility even in its’ initial stages. Increased humility should be one of its fruits but that virtue can still be frustratingly elusive for most of us homo sapiens, IMO.

Struggling to get there…I do get carried away and risk becoming prideful. So, before I click the submit reply button, I take a deep breath, adjust the state of my emotion and examine whether my comment could potentially offend or hurt anyone.

 

[TS_Aquinas]

Faith is an amazing thing. It has led men to acts of unimaginable courage, and uncommon sacrifice. But it seems sometimes, that faith has a way of leading men more toward arrogance and self-righteousness, then grace and godliness. It seems somehow, that faith without humility, is more vice than virtue.

This forum is unique in the number of users who have learned to marry faith and self-assurance, with humility and compassion, and their posts are a delight to read, but I must admit that there are times when I read the postings of some users, and they seem to be more preoccupied with defending the veracity of their beliefs, then with portraying the virtues of their faith. It seems that they are more concerned with being right, then with being understanding. It’s as if to question their beliefs, is to question God Himself. I realize that I may be judging too harshly, and that words do not come as easily, or as eloquently to some, as they do to others. I only wish to remind them, that it’s not always what you say that matters, as much as how you say it. All I really ask, is that you speak to my heart, and from yours. There is something very compelling about humility.

It’s a wonderful thing, to have faith. To have the courage of one’s convictions. But one mustn’t forget, that faith cannot be beaten into others, it must be inspired in them.

And always, always remember, faith, hope, and love…and the greatest of these, is love.

.

Faith is by virtue an act of humility, they are not mutually exclusive. Though, humility can be lacking with a great degree of faith, but even then to profess faith is a degree of humility. But to lack in humility, in the Catholic faith, is to lack in obedience of the faith. And when obedience is lacking, not even the most faithful prayer can please God. It’s a thin line to walk and is difficult at first but when you detach yourself from the spirit of the world and ultimately the self, humility becomes part of your nature.

 

[tonyrey]

Faith is an amazing thing. It has led men to acts of unimaginable courage, and uncommon sacrifice. But it seems sometimes, that faith has a way of leading men more toward arrogance and self-righteousness, then grace and godliness. It seems somehow, that faith without humility, is more vice than virtue.

This forum is unique in the number of users who have learned to marry faith and self-assurance, with humility and compassion, and their posts are a delight to read, but I must admit that there are times when I read the postings of some users, and they seem to be more preoccupied with defending the veracity of their beliefs, then with portraying the virtues of their faith. It seems that they are more concerned with being right, then with being understanding. It’s as if to question their beliefs, is to question God Himself. I realize that I may be judging too harshly, and that words do not come as easily, or as eloquently to some, as they do to others. I only wish to remind them, that it’s not always what you say that matters, as much as how you say it. All I really ask, is that you speak to my heart, and from yours. There is something very compelling about humility.

It’s a wonderful thing, to have faith. To have the courage of one’s convictions. But one mustn’t forget, that faith cannot be beaten into others, it must be inspired in them.

And always, always remember, faith, hope, and love…and the greatest of these, is love.

.

A superb post! Jesus sometimes spoke harshly because evil is a constant threat in our lives and He wanted to warn us to be on our guard… Otherwise we are playing with fire!

 

[animalis]

St. Thomas Aquinas said in the Summa Theologica (sorry I cannot find where) that faith is the “first truth”.

Now, faith is a matter of facts. One can be caught with the content of faith and be determined that they are right because it is factual.

Humility is a virtue of temperance. It says no to pride in accord with right reason. Love is the mold of the virtues and holds faith and humility in an organic whole in the Law of the Gospel - “whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all.” (Jas 2:10)

(TS Aquinas said it better then me)