Is certainty the enemy of faith? Does being certain mean that mystery is no longer allowed? I run into those who seem to teach that we must be certain in all things of faith yet I just don't see how that can be. I see that living in doubt leads one to fear, yet faith leads us to certainty and courage... so how does this all fit? I see this as a bit of a false dilemma made by those who cling to certainty and do not allow awe and mystery... or see that someone that simply trusts in God and does not need to know with certainty the answers... but knows that God IS the ANSWER.
Just on a personal level I have not issue with certainty... yet to me that does not mean all knowledgeable. The issue that I see is that many base their certainty as the basis of their fiath. Yet, Jesus stated, "Even more blessed are those that believe and have not seen."
So I am certain that the bible is authoritative, not because I can prove it is infallible or inerrant, but that Jesus stated it was authoritative. Modernism seems to gut faith out of the bible and bring all of Heaven into the realm of man's logic and reason. God is so far beyond us that to do so is to declare God is made in our image and results in God becoming vain human imagination.
So certainty can have mystery in it as we grow. One can be certain as to what God has taught them, and yet acknowledge there is so much more (an infinite amount of knowledge) to learn. This take humility which some lack as they make human logic and reason their certainty and believe they have arrived. They reduce faith in Jesus to believes and base salvation not on Grace or that the "Just shall live by faith" to salvation by believes and living by logic and reason.
To me I am certain in many things God has taught me... yet I am open to being wrong. Yet, often I confess God must bang my head against the wall to change my mind... but usually God hits my heart and then m mind follows. Then again, I may be wrong...
Peace.
2 comments:
The type of faith that comes by grace produces a certainty about the existence of God, His goodness, and because the Holy Spirit comes to take up residence in our hearts we have assurance of salvation as that same Spirit causes our hearts to cry 'Abba Father.' (Romans 8) Doubt happens! It ought to be a tea shirt. But if double-mindedness is allowed to abide too long the light can go out and many things we thought we were sure of can be lost.
Oh btw, if by certainty of faith a person means being certain that the way they fill in the gray areas of Scripture is right, then of course no. Those questions the Bible leaves unanswered we must infer are unanswered for some reason, and that in itself would be an interesting conversation.
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