PONDERING FAITHFULNESS

Collegium just started pondering the question, What does it look like to be faithful?

In yesterday's discussion, we discovered that the topic is huge, definitions are crucial, and our grasp of the subject is wanting. The definitions below are for my own thought fodder (readers are encouraged to ponder along with me). Some splats or other ponderings are to follow.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, faithful means

1. Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea; loyal.
2. Engaging in sex only with one's spouse or only with one's partner in a sexual relationship.
3. Having or full of faith.
4. Worthy of trust or belief; reliable.
5. Consistent with truth or actuality: a faithful reproduction of the portrait.

and faith means

1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief, trust.
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4. often Faith Christianity The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
6. A set of principles or beliefs.

According to The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon, faith (pistis) means

1. conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it
2. the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
3. a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God
4. the religious beliefs of Christians
5. belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
6. the character of one who can be relied on

and faithful means

1. of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties
2. one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust
3. believing, confiding, trusting
4. in the NT one who trusts in God's promises
5. one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead
6. one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation

Somewhat related posts discussing "spiritual"
Brag about the water...
The body is who we are
Squeezing the Scriptures for every drop
A response to Lighthouse Trails criticism of JP Moreland
A bit of theological anthropology
I'm only human

Tag(s): faithfulness


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“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/