Faith

Negative Aspects of Faith

1. Faith implies the honest recognition of one’s own sinfulness. The faith that comes by hearing is acceptance of the truth about oneself.

2. Repentance, however, is more than recognition of sin. It is recognition that this sin is under the judgment of God.

3. Faith is a recognition of helplessness, a renunciation of all other trust than trust in God. No works either under the law or apart from the law can avail for justification before God.

Positive Aspects of Faith

G. W. Bromiley, “Faith,” ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988), 271.

The chapter (Hebrews 11) amply shows that the faith illustrated, e.g. by Abraham, Moses, Rahab, was simply reliance upon a God known to be trustworthy. Such reliance enabled the believer to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 (6. Conclusion)

HANDLEY DUNELM