It is observed that amongst the various Christian student groups within Zimbabwe, there appear to be two fundamental viewpoints on what faith looks like. Both perspectives would turn to Heb 11:1 as saying that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen", however they apply this in different ways.
The first group is a type of "Power faith" group. If I am God's child, surely He would want the best for me? Is it God's will for me to be sick or in poverty? No! I will believe and receive - you can doubt and do without! They struggle with the perceived poverty mentality of the second group, accusing them of being stuck in their theology and head knowlege and not stepping out in faith by putting into practice what they have heard. Yes, faith is a gift from God, but we have an onus to exercise our faith in order to live victoriously and reclaim what is really ours. Faith is all about taking God at His word and stepping out boldly in belief that He will be true to His Word in doing whatever we ask in His name.
The second group is a type of "Foundation faith" group. Faith is all about trusting in the character of God, as revealed in the scriptures. God has in the past shown Himself faithful to perform whatever He has promised and He is able to do anything - even to complete the work of redemption and sanctification that He has begun in us. They struggle with the first group in that the first group presumes to know what God's will is for here and now in a specific situation. How do you know that God is not more glorified by my suffering than by my healing? Why do you ask God for a special revelation into a specific situation when He has already given us a mind to reason with God-given wisdom? The faith of the second group is largely the plodding type of faith which weathers the storms.
What do you think? Do you align with either of these groups? Does this misrepresent your perception?
Surely there is only one type of faith - God's Kingdom is not divided? If so, which one is right, or is there supposed to be a balance?
1 comment:
Two types of faith? But the same God? Seems to be a contradiction I agree. Ephesians 4:5 says we have ‘One Lord, one faith and one baptism’. Ultimately, do we not exist for the glory of Jehovah through the extension of His Kingdom? If both groups were to hold to this central truth then it would seem that the two faiths unite into one.
On the first hand, ‘power faith’ is the exercising of the anointing and the authority in Jesus, to whom is given all authority and power and dominion (Eph 1:20-21), to extend His Kingdom, for we are sent in His authority (Mat 28:18-20). The authority given to Adam that was lost in the beginning has been restored through Jesus, the new Adam, and He gives authority to His children to go in His name and cast out demons, to heal the sick, and to raise the dead (Mat 10:8). Why? Not to authenticate our own faith or bring honour to our names, for all we are is of God but so that His Kingdom may be extended and His name given the glory that is due to it. In Him all things hold together (Col 1:17).
What of ‘foundation faith’ then? In Jesus is our entire calling, justification and glorification (Rom 8:30) and therefore all our hope. He does not give us salvation once for all so that we can one day just get to eternal bliss in His presence, but so that His name is glorified in us, for there is no other name by which men can be saved. He calls us to be His own, those who will inherit His Kingdom. That inheritance begins here and now (Mat 4:17). Yes we do not see it in its fullness yet, but His Kingdom is upon us. Jesus did not teach that the Kingdom of God is coming, but that it is here, now. And if Jesus is not faithful to bring us to complete salvation then our so called ‘power faith’ is of no value. But if our ‘foundation faith’ is only for a final grand event to come, then what of the here and now?
I would say that both are one and the same when seen in the context of the glory of God through the extension of the Kingdom of Jesus. Without faith we can not be sure of our salvation. Without faith we can not extend His Kingdom on earth. When these ‘two faiths’ lose their Kingdom context they become self-authenticating, security building beliefs. They are one and the same thing with the same purpose. Jesus spent more time teaching about the Kingdom of God then He did about His death and resurrection. Why? Because His death and resurrection is about the restoration of His Kingdom on earth and for all eternity.
Look at www.ntwrightpage.com for further thoughts on this topic by NT Wright.
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