10/04/2025
Faith (Pananampalataya)
What is faith?
In general terms, faith is the belief or trust in someone or something, even in the absence of complete proof.
In the Bible, faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as:
> “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
This means that faith involves believing in something without having absolute, direct evidence.
But does this imply that faith is simply blind belief?
The answer is no.
Faith is not the same as blindly believing in something. Rather, it is a decision to believe based on reasonable evidence, experience, or trust that has been earned over time.
Here are some examples to illustrate:
1. When you lend money to a friend, you may not be 100% certain that he will repay it. However, if he has a history of returning what he borrows, that pattern serves as evidence, giving you confidence to trust him again. That trust is a form of faith, grounded in past experience.
2. Similarly, when you board a bus or jeepney, you may not personally know the qualifications of the driver. Yet, the operational system, the presence of other passengers, and your past experiences with similar situations give you enough assurance to trust that you will reach your destination safely.
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In the same way, we accept the Bible by faith—not because we have personally witnessed the events described, but because there is substantial evidence supporting its historical reliability, consistency, and influence. The manuscript evidence, archaeological findings, and fulfilled prophecies all contribute to a reasoned belief in its truth.
Therefore, faith is not a matter of blind acceptance.
It is a thoughtful response to the evidence presented—one that leads to trust and conviction.
Acts 17:11 (Examine and test)
> “Now the Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
(ESV)
They didn’t just accept Paul’s teaching—they studied daily, compared it with Scripture, and God called them noble for doing so.
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So take time to explore and check the evidence for the Bible, and you’ll see that your faith is built on something real and trustworthy.