Two Kinds of Faith

[Valke2]

Why do we say “Our God and the God of our fathers?”

There are 2 kinds of people who believe in God. One believes because he has taken over the faith of his fathers, and his faith is strong. The other has arrived at faith through thinking and studying. The difference between them is this:

The advantage of the first is, that no matter what arguments may be brought against it, his faith cannot be shaken; his faith is firm because it was taken over from his fathers. But there is a flaw. He has faith only in response to the command of a man, and he has acquired it without studying and thinking for himself.

The advantage of the second is that, because he found God through much thinking, he has arrived at a faith of his own. But here too there is a flaw: it is easy to shake his faith by refuting it through evidence.

But the person who invites both kinds of faith is invincible. And so we say “Our God” with reference to our studies, and “God of our fathers” with an eye toward tradition.
(From Buber’s "Ten Rungs).

 

[Valke2]

excellent points.

 

[Mr.Ex_Nihilo]

Why do we say “Our God and the God of our fathers?”

There are 2 kinds of people who believe in God. One believes because he has taken over the faith of his fathers, and his faith is strong. The other has arrived at faith through thinking and studying. The difference between them is this:

The advantage of the first is, that no matter what arguments may be brought against it, his faith cannot be shaken; his faith is firm because it was taken over from his fathers. But there is a flaw. He has faith only in response to the command of a man, and he has acquired it without studying and thinking for himself.

The advantage of the second is that, because he found God through much thinking, he has arrived at a faith of his own. But here too there is a flaw: it is easy to shake his faith by refuting it through evidence.

But the person who invites both kinds of faith is invincible. And so we say “Our God” with reference to our studies, and “God of our fathers” with an eye toward tradition.
(From Buber’s "Ten Rungs).

Faith and reason.

 

[Rawb]

This is weird to see this because I was just reading something about Catholics needing to make sure their religion was not just a communal thing, that it was neccessary to make it not just The Church, but MY Church and not just the Sacraments but MY Sacraments as part of building a relationship with Jesus. I for one was finding it (without even realizing it) easy to believe that these were the Church’s beliefs and I also happened to believe them and it was nice to remember that they were MY beliefs as well. So while I had studied my faith (and the faith of my ancestors) I hadn’t really made it mine yet, and after realizing this I think I’m stronger for it. (Sorry if nobody else sees a connection…maybe it’s just my mind’s twisted logic. )

 

[Valke2]

This is weird to see this because I was just reading something about Catholics needing to make sure their religion was not just a communal thing, that it was neccessary to make it not just The Church, but MY Church and not just the Sacraments but MY Sacraments as part of building a relationship with Jesus. I for one was finding it (without even realizing it) easy to believe that these were the Church’s beliefs and I also happened to believe them and it was nice to remember that they were MY beliefs as well. So while I had studied my faith (and the faith of my ancestors) I hadn’t really made it mine yet, and after realizing this I think I’m stronger for it. (Sorry if nobody else sees a connection…maybe it’s just my mind’s twisted logic. )

I see the connection.