Key Idea of "What is Faith?"

1.) The title of this section of our Faith course is the question, "what is faith?" In the text, we are taught that there are two kinds of faith, secular faith (small f) and religious Faith (big F). Secular faith deals with the trust and belief that you have in the people/things around you. Religious Faith deals with the trust and belief that you have in God. Religious Faith is defined with seven characteristics: Faith is a grace, Faith requires a free human response, Faith is a risk, Faith is reasonable, Faith is certain, Faith seeks understanding, and Faith is a virtue. I believe that in order to have Religious Faith, you must have secular faith in Scripture and those who teach you about God. In order to have true Faith, you must have beliefs supported by reason. When you have no beliefs, but reason,you have the viewpoint of Nihilism and when you have beliefs, but no reason, you have radicalism. You must have both beliefs and reason to achieve the Golden Way (Faith).

Two of the most important ideas I want to remember from this section.

2.) From this section of our Faith course, I have learned a few lessons, but there are two lessons that I have learned are most important to me. (a.)That there are two meanings to the word faith - religious Faith (big F), and secular Faith (small f)- and you need secular faith (trust in belief in those/things around you) in order to have religious Faith (trust and belief in God). (b.) The second important lesson that I have learned is that you can believe in something that doesn't seem possible, just as long as you have faith in the person who is giving you the information. To help you understand this, take the example of Andy Griffith and Opie in the Andy Griffith Show. Opie keeps telling Andy that Mr. McBeevee does exist, but Andy does not think it is possible because of the description Opie gives him. Towards the end of the episode, Andy believes that Mr. McBeevee does exist, not because be believes in Mr. McBeevee, but because he believes in Opie. He used his faith in Opie to believe that Mr. McBeevee existed.

This image reminds me of faith

3.) This image reminds me of faith. I feel a blind person and a seeing eye dog is a perfect example of having faith because the person has trust and belief that the dog can guide him to wear he wants to go, while keeping him safe from danger.

One good question you should keep with you to ponder. (and my best answer)

4.)

I believe that one develops faith in another through past experiences with that person and insight from others whom you have faith in. A person may develop faith for another after they have had an experience with that person where they displayed actions or characteristics that appeal to you, and that allow that person to gain your trust. Insight from others whom you have faith in is also another way to develop faith in other people. For example, A very close person to me, such as my Mom, may tell me that someone is very trustworthy and reliable. Therefore, I may have faith in that person who my Mom was talking about. I have faith in them because I have faith in my Mom.

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