Parsing faith

1. In philosophy and theology, faith is defined in different ways:

i) Faith fills the gap between evidence and knowledge

ii) Faith involves risk-taking 

iii) Calibrating confidence to the level of evidence

iv) Knowledge or belief based on testimonial evidence

v) Conviction grounded in evidence

2. One issue is whether faith is the same for every Christian (or biblical believer). For instance, Abraham is a paradigm example of faith. Yet he experienced God in more direct ways than many Christians do. God spoke to him (audible voice). God appeared to him (theophanies, angelophanies). He witnesses a miracle (the supernatural conception of Isaac). So there's a sense in which Abraham had a different kind of faith than the average Christian. The evidential basis for his faith is more direct. 

In the Psalms, faith is generally based on God's track record. What God has done in the past makes his future promises trustworthy. That's faith based on testimonial evidence, which is different from Abraham's faith. 

3. Although, for many believers, faith is primarily grounded in testimonial evidence, some believers experience God firsthand through a miracle, special providence, or unmistakable answer to prayer. So we can't confine the definition of Christian faith to testimonial evidence alone. In some cases, it has a more direct basis in firsthand observation. But even that is supplementary. They must still rely on Scripture. 

4. Philosophers prefer universal definitions or universal criteria that cover every situation. For instance, true belief is considered a deficient concept of knowledge since that's consistent with a lucky guess. 

It is, however, very hard to come up with definitions or criteria that admit no exceptions, and perhaps that's unreasonably restrictive. Perhaps general definitions or general criteria are adequate. We can allow for exceptions, where they occur, without that scuttling the value of definitions or criteria that cover normal situations. Why should anomalous or hypothetical scenarios necessarily determine our operating concept of faith or knowledge? 

5. With those preliminary caveats duly registered, let's consider some elements of biblical faith:

i) Future-oriented

There's a sense in which biblical faith is both past-oriented and future-oriented. God's past actions provide precedent for future actions. God has a modus operandi. Likewise, we look back on Christ's redemptive death. In reference to the past, faith has an evidential basis. But that only yields partial knowledge.

However, the past and future orientations are asymmetrical. Faith involves an attitude about the future. The past in relation to the future.While knowledge of the past may bolster our confidence about the future, human existence is forward moving. We're always moving into the future. 

ii) Beyond our direct experience

Apropos (i), except for seers who preview the future, we don't experience the future ahead of time. So the future can't be an object of firsthand experience. 

iii) Beyond our direct control

Apropos (i-ii), the future is beyond our direct control. That's in part because our knowledge of the future is very limited, and the extrapolations become increasingly unreliable the further out we go. In addition, that's in part because there are too many variables for us to manipulate. These two considerations result in natural uncertainty and insecurity about the future. 

iv) Reliance on another

Because the future is beyond our direct experience or control, to have faith is to rely on someone else who, unlike us, both knows and controls the future. Someone who can use that knowledge and power for our benefit, in our behalf and in our stead. In particular, we rely on God/Christ to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. 

v) Resignation 

Apropos (iv), although that involves an element of trust in God's omnipotence, omniscience, and benevolent providence, it ultimately reflects an attitude of resignation–because we have no alternative. Since we can't do it on our own, we must resign ourselves to God's provision. In a way, that makes it easier. Since it's out of our hands, we might as well acknowledge the fact, not fret so much. The future lies in God's hands regardless of your outlook. But life is easier if you adjust your attitude to reality.  

6. Someone might object that I've blurred the distinction between the concept of faith, the content of faith, and the basis of faith. But that's because Scripture doesn't partition those in airtight compartments. Rather, they flow into each other and out of each other, like a circulatory system.