What is Faith?

Faith is a very tricky concept to understand, because from the beginning of Christianity, it has meant more than one simple thing. Clearly, there is an intellectual manner of faith, as when we believe the content of what Jesus revealed. However, if you look closely at the Christian tradition as well as the early texts of the New Testament, you will find that the term “faith” is used in a broader way than just intellectual assent. It’s not as clear to English readers sometimes because we tend to distinguish “faith” from “belief.” We sometimes speak of believing that something is true as opposed to having faith in someone. Notice the difference in the prepositions “that” and “in.” When we interpret faith solely as an intellectual act, i.e., as believing that something is true, it appears that we are leaving something out, the “having faith in” sort of faith.