Borgman, D. (1986). Attributes of faith. S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

OVERVIEW

Faith is usually considered to be belief in God and religious teachings. It implies acceptance of something one holds without demonstrable evidence or proof.

In a way, all human beings have faith. They accept things they cannot logically explain. They use television, computers, and electricity without technical knowledge. In a deeper sense, no one fully understands electricity, or the micro- or macro-structure of the universe. And who would say "I fully understand and can prove love?"

It takes an axiom (a statement assumed to be true without proof) to reach any mathematical conclusion. All human reason begins with some presupposition "accepted by faith." We must first believe in a rational universe and accept some correspondence between what we and others are thinking and the reality of the outside world. Then we can move toward rational conclusions.

The technological age should not make faith obsolete or hard to understand. Most of us use electronics, lasers, and many other things beyond our understanding. Furthermore, we exhibit great faith in X-rays, elevators, airplanes, and high speed vehicles. A slight mechanical defect or human error could take our life on the highway. Business can grind to a halt in a country where there is a very low level of trust.

Religious faith is belief in transcendent reality. It holds that there is meaning in the world, rationality, and morality because of its source. A Creator's nature is reflected in the nature of the universe. And revelation about that fact gives faith its basis.

The great western error is to think of faith as primarily personal and mental. It is both of these. But eastern and biblical thoughts see faith as a matter of the heart-a total commitment of soul and spirit. Lifestyle and actions should be inseparable from faith. And biblical faith always joins believers in Covenant to a people of faith. Faith does not operate in a vacuum or in isolation.

Dean Borgman cCYS