What is Faith?

[rwoehmke]

I am beginning to think that when we use the term Faith that it doesn’t always have the same meaning. How would a Catholic define Faith and how would say an Evangelical define Faith? Are we even on the same wavelength?

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

See Hebrews 11, true faith leads to good works.

 

[rwoehmke]

So we are agreed that Faith means the same thing for all churches? Thanks for Hebrews 11, but I guess I was mistaken when I thought there differing concepts out there. I thought maybe it was that warm, exuberant feeling I had when I came to Jesus.

 

[brigid12]

I was not an evangelical protestant before converting but an Anglican and I didn’t notice any difference in our definitions of “faith”, but I did notice differences in our definitions of “worship” and “praying to”. Since most protestants don’t believe in the Real Presence, their idea of worship is usually a sermon and prayer, so praying to someone is therefore tattamount to worship.

 

[Evan]

Faith means different things in different chapters of the NT.

Sometimes it mean belief in a fact or in facts.

Sometimes it is the entire teaching and the consequences of that teachings.

I’ve seen the church refer to it as fides informata and fides formata

fides informata is informational faith. A belief in the facts of Jesus teaching and passion. Such as in James where he says the demons themselves believe because they have seen God.

fides formata is a formed faith in which the faith has entered into your heart an you live your life according to the teachings you have received from the Word of God. Such as: we are saved by Faith alone. This is acceptable if we understand Faith as being faith hope and charity, the theological virtues, rather than fides informata.

 

[Eileen_T]

I recommend that you read the book What Faith Really Means A Simple Explanation by Rev. Henry Grey Graham, M.A.

*What Faith Really Means * shows clearly the difference between Catholic faith and Protestant “trust in Jesus as Personal Saviour.” It shows what Catholic faith really means and why it is all-encompassing and soul-satisfying, as opposed to Protestant faith, which is really only “trust in Jesus plus one’s own interpretation of the Bible”

That is from the back cover. Rev. Graham was a Minister of the Church of Scotland before his conversion to Catholicism. He eventually became a Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. So he writes with an understanding of Faith from both perspectives.

 

[Nita]

I am beginning to think that when we use the term Faith that it doesn’t always have the same meaning. How would a Catholic define Faith and how would say an Evangelical define Faith? Are we even on the same wavelength?

The definitions vary in other areas also. Eg. saving grace (what it is); salvation (what it means to be saved from our sins).

Nita

 

[richardeekw]

Faith… as Mother Angelica describes…

…a foot on he ghround…
…a foot in the air…with
butterflies in you stomach!
ACT and Time will confirm it.

Blessed Christmas fto everyone.

The Best book I am reading/sftudying (book with audio book)
JESUS OF NAZARETH… baptism to the transfiguration (Book 1)
by Joseph Ratzinger.

I highly recommend.

 

[thomasf]

From my experience, here’s what I’ve come to realize.

For a protestant, faith will often mean “I believe in Jesus and His death covers my sins so I’m going to heaven.”

From a catholic viewpoint, faith means not only believing, but living, repenting, reforming. Constant conversion. It’s a trip through life to constantly get to the point where we are worthy of heaven. It’s not a one time thing, it’s something we can fail at and yet keep pursuing. It is perseverence.

Either way, both versions come from God’s grace, imo.

Also, something I’ve come to wonder. If as a catholic, I am wrong, and all faith means is believing in Christ, then I’m still covered. Is it going to hurt to repent, convert, and strive to live a better life? To do all those works and good deeds? Nope. But if I’m a protestant and I’m wrong, and faith does require more, then I’m going to be out of luck. Because Christ is going to say “I never knew you.” on judgement day. Seems to me the protestant way is easier, but the catholic way sure seems more complete.