InSlaveryToChrist
Puritan Board Junior
Everything about us is imperfect, not only due to our sinfulness, but also our creatureliness. Our faith in God’s existence is imperfect. We are able to believe in God’s existence by any evidence thereof, and we are also held accountable for it. But is it not true that the more evidence we have of God’s existence, the more perfect our faith in it will be? In other words, does faith feed upon evidence?
If hatred against the truth (evidence) keeps one from seeing the truth (evidence), then surely it is no good how much evidence you get. First one needs to set his heart right with God. Then, if necessary, one should seek more evidence to strengthen his faith.
But doesn't the Bible say faith is a gift of God and not an immediate effect of perceiving evidence? Which leads me to ask: Can we have faith in absolutely anything without God granting us the faith? Is God pleased to use His Word (and all other means of grace) as a guaranteed source of faith to regenerate Christians?
I hope you will bear with my stupidity (once again). Thanks!
If hatred against the truth (evidence) keeps one from seeing the truth (evidence), then surely it is no good how much evidence you get. First one needs to set his heart right with God. Then, if necessary, one should seek more evidence to strengthen his faith.
But doesn't the Bible say faith is a gift of God and not an immediate effect of perceiving evidence? Which leads me to ask: Can we have faith in absolutely anything without God granting us the faith? Is God pleased to use His Word (and all other means of grace) as a guaranteed source of faith to regenerate Christians?
I hope you will bear with my stupidity (once again). Thanks!