Is faith a reliable way to know truth?
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In your post #186, you said "so they can say they have faith, but truth is they believe a lie"
Did you know that the Greek word (4102/pistis) is translated as "faith" and as "believe"?
So when you say "truth is they believe a lie", you're saying they have "faith" in a lie.
The faith is the same, it is just founded on a lie rather than on the truth.
The word (pistis) means firm persuasion, conviction which is based upon trust; a firmly relying confidence.
The way I see it: If God gives you faith to believe the truth and does not give me faith to believe the truth, then come judgment day I have an excuse and I can say to God "Well God, I did Your Will and did not come to faith because you gave me no faith. Therefore, I should not be cast into the lake of fire."
That is why Rom 1:20 says they are without excuse. Because they have it within them to turn to God (faith), but they turn from Him – they hold the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18). The word "hold" is the Greek word katechontōn which means to hold fast, bind, restrain. In unrighteousness, the truth is restrained.
I believe God gives faith to all and faith grows stronger and stronger in those who do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness. And please understand, I do believe God is the One Who strengthens faith within those who do not restrain the truth in unrighteousness.
Those who do suppress the truth in unrighteousness remain weak in faith. They turn away from God and they do not allow truth to reach their hearts where God can strengthen faith.
Did you know that the Greek word (4102/pistis) is translated as "faith" and as "believe"?
So when you say "truth is they believe a lie", you're saying they have "faith" in a lie.
The faith is the same, it is just founded on a lie rather than on the truth.
The word (pistis) means firm persuasion, conviction which is based upon trust; a firmly relying confidence.
The way I see it: If God gives you faith to believe the truth and does not give me faith to believe the truth, then come judgment day I have an excuse and I can say to God "Well God, I did Your Will and did not come to faith because you gave me no faith. Therefore, I should not be cast into the lake of fire."
That is why Rom 1:20 says they are without excuse. Because they have it within them to turn to God (faith), but they turn from Him – they hold the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18). The word "hold" is the Greek word katechontōn which means to hold fast, bind, restrain. In unrighteousness, the truth is restrained.
I believe God gives faith to all and faith grows stronger and stronger in those who do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness. And please understand, I do believe God is the One Who strengthens faith within those who do not restrain the truth in unrighteousness.
Those who do suppress the truth in unrighteousness remain weak in faith. They turn away from God and they do not allow truth to reach their hearts where God can strengthen faith.
In agreement that faith is the gift of God.
What I believe is that God has gifted faith to all.
Faith starts out as weak and faith is strengthened by God in those who do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Because truth is not suppressed, truth reaches the heart and God gives increase. He strengthens those who do not turn from Him.
Those who reject truth end up restraining the truth from their heart.
That is where God does His work ... in the heart.
What I believe is that God has gifted faith to all.
Faith starts out as weak and faith is strengthened by God in those who do not suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Because truth is not suppressed, truth reaches the heart and God gives increase. He strengthens those who do not turn from Him.
Those who reject truth end up restraining the truth from their heart.
That is where God does His work ... in the heart.
P
The God of the Bible has a history that can be found all through the ages. Times and events that changed the course of history.
Spoken well before events took place. They are called prophecies.
We don't have a blind Faith but well documented accounts that can be clearly seen in the history of the world. People, places, times and events. All of creation is a testimony to him.
In fact believers and non believers cannot erase God's footprints in history. They are very evident.
Spoken well before events took place. They are called prophecies.
We don't have a blind Faith but well documented accounts that can be clearly seen in the history of the world. People, places, times and events. All of creation is a testimony to him.
In fact believers and non believers cannot erase God's footprints in history. They are very evident.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
God's desire is that all men be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Yet there are some men who will not be saved. They will find themselves separated from God ... cast into the lake of fire (Rev 22).
God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ez 33:11). His desire is that the wicked would turn from their evil ways and live.
The fact that some do not turn from their evil ways is not due to God not providing that which is needed to turn from evil. The fact that some choose to continue to live their lives in complete disregard to God's calling is due to their own choice to suppress the truth God places before each and every person.
When all is said and done and the dust settles, every person will know exactly why they end up where they end up in eternity. There will be no excuse for those who end up separated from God. They will not be able to tell God they are separated from Him because He did not "call-elect-choose" them.
God calls ... and His Word is disregarded.
God's desire is that all men be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Yet there are some men who will not be saved. They will find themselves separated from God ... cast into the lake of fire (Rev 22).
God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ez 33:11). His desire is that the wicked would turn from their evil ways and live.
The fact that some do not turn from their evil ways is not due to God not providing that which is needed to turn from evil. The fact that some choose to continue to live their lives in complete disregard to God's calling is due to their own choice to suppress the truth God places before each and every person.
When all is said and done and the dust settles, every person will know exactly why they end up where they end up in eternity. There will be no excuse for those who end up separated from God. They will not be able to tell God they are separated from Him because He did not "call-elect-choose" them.
God calls ... and His Word is disregarded.
then I am confused about the basis of your opening question
is faith a reliable way to know the truth?
it sounded to me like you were implying that Faith was not a reliable way to know the truth, and that we should choose a more reliable way, such as the scientific method.
But in fact we have no choice?
is faith a reliable way to know the truth?
it sounded to me like you were implying that Faith was not a reliable way to know the truth, and that we should choose a more reliable way, such as the scientific method.
But in fact we have no choice?
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