The Definition of Faith in Christianity
Within the definition of faith essay the topic of faith is reviewed through different religious viewpoints. So religions, such as Judaism and Hinduism, much older than Christianity also present their own versions of religious faith; supporting the argument of faith belonging to all religions not just Christianity and faith’s existence prior to the New Testament.
In Hebrew, the word faith is Emunah, and is an action-oriented word meaning support; so, having “faith in God” would translate to “one who supports God”. Emunah places the action on the one who 'supports God”, it is knowing “I will do what I can to support God”. This idea of support for the word Emunah can be seen in Exodus 17:12, But Moses' hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat upon it, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. It is the support/Emunah of Aaron and Hur that held of Moses' arms so Jewish people rather than saying they have “faith in God”, they respond with what they can do to support God'.
According to many scholars, Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world and its belief system dates back more than 4,000 years; this is over 200 years before Judaism and 2,000 years before Christianity. Religious faith is referred to as Sraddha in Sanskrit and Shraddah in Hinduism, and devotion and faith are essential to practicing Hinduism. The religion relies on knowledge of Vedas, the scriptures and dharma to be steadfast in faith. Shraddah not only means belief but represents interest, dedication, and application. Hindus believe people should live life in faith, good conduct, and morality. This supports my research that the concept of faith, trusting, believing, or supporting a higher power has been felt and shared before Christianity was introduced to the virtue in the New Testament.
As well as these religious beliefs, the Old Testament characters of the Bible, specifically in Genesis support my argument. I believe they were the inspiration behind the introduction of the virtue of faith and depict very specific examples of someone showing true faith, the requirements, and rewards. The Genesis stories of Abraham, Noah, Joseph, and other Old Testament stories appear to be the best way of observing true faith and can be viewed as the root of faith. These stories teach many people the realistic expectations of faith and how it comes with sacrifice but also reward.
While these religions have different belief systems and what consists of having real faith, they both have an unwavering belief in some higher being or power and want to love, support, and trust that being. Faith’s Christian definition may have been introduced at the beginning of the New Testament but it’s true definition of love, belief, trust, and support existed to many long before. The Old Testament supports my research of the existence of faith before it was defined in the New Testament, according to Hebrew the Old Testament offers a rich and complex definition of faith. As a language of action, Hebrew primitive verbs are 'root' verbs. 'Ᾱman is a root verb, and it means 'to confirm, be certain, sure' or 'to be assured'
Then he believed ('āman) in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness (Gen 15:6). When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed ('āman) in the LORD and in His servant Moses (Ex 14:31). The LORD said to Moses, 'How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe ('āman) in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? (Num 14:11). Then the people of Nineveh believed ('āman) in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. (Jonah 3:5)
There is another stem of the word, 'āman, referred to as amaon-niphal, that conveys the meaning 'to be true, reliable or faithful' and can be applied to both God and men. This definition can be referred to in multiple passages of the Old Testament when talking about people being faithful to God and God being faithful to His people.
In Deuteronomy 7:9, Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful ('āman-niphal) God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments. In Numbers 12:7, Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful ('āman-niphal) in all My household. 1 Samuel 22:14, Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, 'And who among all your servants is as faithful ('āman-niphal) as David, even the king's son-in-law, who is captain over your guard, and is honored in your house? And in Proverbs 25:13, Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful ('āman-niphal) messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
In its various contexts, the Old Testament introduces the concept that 'faith' is a belief in historical and factual events and leads to the conclusion that all truth comes from God and is truth because it is related to God. With this objective basis, the concept of 'faith' includes a human response that entails the subjective nature of trust. Genuine faith recognizes the historical reality of God and the reliability of His words and engenders a subjective trust within human beings ('What Is The Concept Of 'Faith' In The Old Testament? A Series On Faith: Part 1' 2010).
Though while translated in Hebrew, faith is introduced as a belief in historical fact and events that leads to people believing in God, Genesis gives specific examples of this unquestioned faith and commitment mentioned in the New Testament God, not specific to Jesus Christ, which is reason most people believe faith cannot be for them if they are not Christian, the New Testament form of faith discourages people from realizing religious faith in a higher power, specifically in God, has been exhibited all throughout Genesis and there are sections of the New Testament that actually refer back to the strong faith examples that were set by the characters in Genesis.
Noah is a main character in the book of Genesis and in the history of the redemption of mankind, and he is an example of “living by faith.” By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith (Hebrews 11:7).
The evidence of Noah’s faith is seen in his trusting God, believing in His word, and acting in obedience to God’s command to build the Ark. Saving faith throughout the Bible is never vague but is always a true response to God’s revelation of Himself. Noah believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness, just like Abraham was, as it says in Genesis 15:6 where Abraham believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Abraham had enough faith that he considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back (Heb 11:19). Other literary works, such as Mesopotamian literature also present versions of the Flood, where the hero is saved by the gods by doing as commanded which correspond to the Biblical Noah.
Abraham was told by God to go from his home, leave everything behind, and follow the path God had for him to the promised land. This passage indicates that the faith of Abram is ready to accept the rich promises of God; the word of God is now Abram’s security and base. God treats this trust of Abram as behavior appropriate to the covenant relationship. The unconditional Abrahamic Covenant is the result of Abram’s faith which is declared 'righteous,' and God changes Abram’s name to Abraham ('father of multitude'). Abraham is considered a great example of faith, because he trusted the divine promises which he personally saw only partially fulfilled. Because of Abraham’s trust of the unseen, God identified Himself as 'the God of Abraham' (Ex 3:6) and Abraham became known as 'God’s friend forever' (2 Chron 20:7).
Abraham’s journey of faith did not end here, God said to Abraham, ‘This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir. Look now toward heaven and count the stars if you are able to number them. So shall your descendants be. And he believed the LORD, and He accounted it to him (Genesis 15:5). After Abraham came into the land of Canaan he continued on in the unknown land as a stranger but he believed God, who promised that one day he and his descendants would inherit the holy land.
Abraham’s faith was tested again, in the most challenging way, when he was asked by God to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham believed that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead, if God had not spared Isaac’s life (Genesis 22) and did not question God’s demands and was ready to do as God asked. Abraham’s willingness to give up his son shows his unwavering faith in God that he would only do things to help him and would never hurt him.
Another example from the stories of Genesis is the story of Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son, who was hated by his brothers so much they decided they were going to kill him. Instead, Joseph was sold and taken to Egypt where he became Potiphar’s slave and soon was sent to jail because of the captain of the guard’s wife’s interest in him. After being sold into slavery, put in jail, and left to die, Joseph still lived his life with faith and accepted God’s plans. When people told Joseph of their dreams, he said to them, do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams (Genesis 40:8).
Eventually, Joseph’s faith and trust in God allowed him to prosper, and not once in all his experiences of adversity and sorrow there was no hint that Joseph ever questioned the loving wisdom and will of God. Finally, Joseph meets his brothers again Egypt and though they don’t remember Joseph and have forgotten about him Joseph says, So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. (Genesis 45:8). This line shows Joseph’s faith in God never swayed, he truly believed God had a plan the whole time and even goes as far to believe it wasn’t his brothers’ faults at all for what had happened to him; he trusted it was God’s plan completely. This kind of faith looks beyond time into eternity, Joseph said, ‘I shall not be allowed to see it, but God will fulfill His word; and when that time comes, carry my bones with you (Genesis 50:25). That is a faith which persists eternally.
To conclude, when used in the Old Testament, the context indicates that faith has a basis in historical events; faith has an objective basis in fact. 'Faith' is not blind belief or a leap into the unknown, but instead founded on a truth certain of a real God and the absolute reality of His words. There are many examples in the Old Testament that translate 'āman to a definition of faith.
