Page 263 - Bible Writers Theology Original

However, many times it denotes only one element of faith: the intellectual. "Hope" has to do exclusively with the future, while faith has to do with the past, the present and the future. Hope has been defined as desire plus expectation, however scripturally hope has in it also the elements of knowl edge and assurance and rests upon a truth revealed in the scriptures (Romans10:17;ITimothy4:7). ThesumtotalofChristiandoctrineascon tained in the scriptures is referred to as "the faith" (Luke 18:8; Acts 6:7; I
Timothy 4:1; I Timothy 6:10; Jude 3,4).
B The Intellectual Element
This element of faith is fundamental to the other constituents of faith. Paul says, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
(Romans 10:17). We know that there is a God; therefore, we believe in His existence(Romans1:19). Weneedtoknowthegospelinordertobelievein Christ. Scripturally,faithisnottheacceptanceofaworkinghypothesisin religion. It is belief based on the best of evidence. The Psalmist says. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee" (Psalm 9:10).
^ The Emotional Element ThistypeoffaithisemphasizedinscripturessuchasPsalm106.12. Then
believed they his words; they sang his praise. They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel." " But he that received the seed into stony
places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with Joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation
or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended (Matthew 13:20,21) In John 8*30-33, the writer distinguishes between the many that believed on Him and those who merely believed in Him.
Faith is bom by an appeal to the emotion of man, which is the expres sion of his soul's need In order to be effective, the emotional response
should be followed by a grounding and a settling in the message that origi natedthefaith. Emotionalfaithisalsoveiydangerousifitisnotgrounded on the rock, having a full understanding of the doctrine of the Bible (Isaiah 34:16). Thedevilcancomeandtellyoutocommandthestonestobemade bread or to cast yourself down the cliff or fast 40 or 80 days to be a super natural man and you might think it is from God. God's word must be your
foundation. Ifitis,youwillbesafe(Exodus15:26;Deuteronomy17:10-13, 18-20; 30:11-20; Joshua 1:7-9; I Kings 22:19-24).
D The Voluntary Element
This element of faith is the logical outgrowth of the intellectual and emo tional faith. If a man accepts the revelation of God and saving knowledge, heshouldlogicallygoontoappropriateittohimself. Eachprecedingterm
Soteriology - Salvation ♦ 247