What is faith? How is it used? What is it used for? And how does one obtain it?

Over the last few years, my subconscious has been wrestling with logical inconsistencies with a variety of things that has resulted in a manifestation of itself through the following questions:

What is faith? How is it used? What is it used for? And how does one obtain it?

I believe these questions are important enough to be asked because life demands faith in a variety of circumstances (ex. other drivers on the road, your employer to deliver a paycheck, the nature of our creator, your spouse to be faithful, etc...). And if that faith is misplaced it will be to your detriment, even unto death.

Before you continue reading; consider whether or not you, subconsciously, interchange the word faith, with the word belief/believe as I did. By doing this I, and those who know me, missed countless blessing that our creator, through life as we know it, has to offer.

According to Webster's dictionary the word "believe" means choosing to accept something as true (and "truth" is defined as something that is in accordance with fact or reality ["fact" or "reality" meaning something that is proven or otherwise verifiable]).

What is faith?

The most common response that I've received when I asked others (religious and secular); is that faith is "spiritual" and cannot be fully grasped or defined. I quote that word because, like the word "faith", "spiritual" is another term that people use ambiguously (in this article, I'm not going to try to define it though). Interestingly, to me, the only direct answer I was offered is a single verse from the Bible in a letter to some Hebrews in it's 11th chapter and first verse which says: "Faith is the evidence of things unseen, the substance of things hoped for..."

I've long accepted that as a definition, until I began writing this article and realized that it is more of a description of faith not a literal definition.

According to Webster's dictionary "faith is the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or some thing." Of course Webster's isn't, necessarily, the authority, but I think you'll find the rest of this exposition to prove that definition as consistent and true.

I've found, although, that most people who claim to have faith in the nature of our creator disagree that faith is a feeling at all. I, too, felt that way prior to starting this article. But, I realized I couldn't explain why! Maybe because I viewed it as irreverent to God? (Because I view faith in the nature of our creator as the most critical use of any application faith has in our life - although it's, obviously, not the only thing faith can be applied to.)

You see, faith is a noun (nouns are the subject of a verb). This implies that it doesn't do anything. By itself. Kind of like... a feeling! You may feel love for your spouse, but if that doesn't manifest itself with action; it's vain.

I've heard faith, when invested into our creator, described as "information from-God to-you." Which is an interesting summary when you look at this example from how the Bible teaches one of it's most renown stories of a man of faith:

"So God said (informed or described) to Noah: 'I have decided to destroy all living creatures. ... Build a large boat ...'" ~ Genesis 6:13-14

You may be thinking to yourself: "If faith doesn't do anything, then isn't it useless? I don't accept that!" And I would respond by asking you: "Are oars for a boat useless?"

How is it used?

Faith is used by belief.

For example; oars are an object. They don't do anything by themselves. So, too, faith may not do anything, but... belief... does.

Because believe is a verb (verbs are words used to describe actions). So if you have faith in me, for example, when I say "Oars enable you to move a boat." you would say "Ok." But if you believe me then you would prove your faith by grabbing them, getting in the boat, and starting to row.

Let me use a real world example to illustrate a practical application:

I believe God exists because I have proof through deduction and by observation that we were created. I don't need faith in that instance. But when you don't have proof; faith is required (assuming ignorance isn't an option). So I do need faith to believe in God's promises. Why? Because promises are things yet-to-happen. Meaning there is no evidence, facts or reality to prove them as presently true.

What is it used for?

Although there is a follow up question to this, I believe this is the pinnacle point of this article.

Since faith can be used for many things, as I established at the beginning of this article, I want to focus on the most influential purpose of faith. So I lead in with this question: what good is faith in the nature of our creator if, ultimately, our lives surmount with death?

It would be vain, really. I mean right? Feel free to comment a disagreement, but I can't see any benefit beyond temporal satisfaction. Not that vanity is equivalent to uselessness. It just wouldn't seem to be worth writing an article like this otherwise.

Unless...

...

That creator made a promise of eternal life through a resurrection...

In which case it becomes immeasurably valuable.

I mean... right?

And how does one obtain it?

Since we've established the invaluable worth to faith in the nature of God, assuming you can't debunk my conclusion, it would seem like you would be asking (like I did) "Man, if that's for real then how do I 'get' this faith?"

The answer, once again, is right under our nose. How do you gain faith in anything or anyone?

You experience it.

If you have a best friend, you probably, hopefully, really trust them. That's a form of faith. If you do; it's probably because they did something like help you move, bring you food when you were sick, lend you money, etc... So it was by getting to know them, and actively doing things with them that you built that faith in their character. The more you have faith in them the more you spend time with them.

I'm sure the same has happened on the opposite with someone, maybe even that same friend, when they didn't follow through or they let you down. You lost a little faith in them, in their character. As a result you probably spent less time with them.

With faith in our creator, it's a little more ambiguous than that because you're trying to interact with something that is so beyond, and all encompassing of, what we are as mere humans that you have to breakdown the expectation that you'll fully experience that creator only if they become human and stand before you (see Jesus for reference, haha). If you're struggling with that concept I'd encourage you to read this article where I explain it a little more.

Beside from directly experiencing our creator there is at least one other way I know of:  other people.

If you want to know if a restaurant is good what do you do? If you're like me you probably look for reviews. I often start by asking my friends and family because I trust them. Hearing their stories about their experiences builds my faith that about the kind of experience I can expect.

So to asking people who say they have faith in God's character and nature is a great place to start. Be that friends or family. But my personal favorite (because I only have three friends - which technically aren't friends if you don't count my wife and two kids) is THE BIBLE. I'm not saying it's perfect, or the only way to build and maintain faith, but it's a great starting place.

Reading this article right now is me sharing my faith with you. And if you find yourself feeling encouraged and confident about this idea: BAM. You now have faith. If you want more of it; I'd love to share more stories about my experiences in life that have grown my faith in our creators good nature. Or you can simply ask our creator using whatever means you have (speaking out loud, writing it down, whatever...).

Conclusion

I'd like to make it abundantly clear that I don't believe we were born to die so God could dangle eternal life in front of us like a horse and a carrot. Rather, I believe that we were designed to live perpetually; as evolution clearly represents with so many things. My favorite being our body's ability to self-heal. And it's the result of a single free-willed act of disobedience that introduced a virus, that can, and will, be starved some day, that resulted in exactly what God said it would: death.

I believe that one "sin" introduced death into the world because death is the absence of life. It is not a thing in and of itself, like drinking water from a glass is not filling it with emptiness but emptying it of water. So, too, when we rebel against the way we were created (our nature) then we are subtly killing, or destroying, a part of ourselves that can only be restored by our creator through obedience to him.

Which is why the hope of resurrection, to be made perfect again, is such a wonderful promise to believe in. And why it has permanently changed my love and hope for humanity and our universe. That I can believe that I, with my faith, play a critical part in restoring humanity and the universe back to that intended state.

It's truly worth sharing.

Assuming you agree with my exposition, I hope you will consider this final question:

If you have faith in Jesus' promise of resurrection from death; how does that change the way you're going to live today from the way you lived yesterday?

Annotations

If you enjoyed and benefited from my exposition above it may benefit you to review some annotations from the things that instigated the writing of this article in the first place:

• "It's truly worth sharing." I mean that to be a play on Jesus' Great Commission to preach the Good News about God (his nature and character).
• James 2:17 says that "Faith without works (belief) is dead (useless)."
• Here's a Scriptural example of faith coupled with belief: "So Noah did (notice the verb?) exactly as God commanded him." ~ Genesis 6:22
• There wasn't any way for Noah to prove God had spoken to him (as far as we know). So it was by faith in the nature of God and how he speaks to humans that he, and a few others, believed.
• It's interesting, to me, that you can believe something without faith (supplementing faith for proof or ignorance). But faith is useless without belief.
• The antonym of faith is doubt. And doubt prevents belief.
• I'd like to note that the definition of faith is almost identical to the definition of "confidence". As an exercise; imagine replacing every instance of the word "faith" in the Bible with the word "confidence

A Follower of Jesus is a Follower of Truth, Ultimately.

It has become common for me to witness, what I consider, a psychological phenomena in which a Christian (someone who claims to follow Jesus as their philosophical teacher) refuses to pursue truth in a matter yet still considers them self a Christian.

It is treasonous to behave in such a way. As it undermines our very existence, and, by default, Jesus' own teaching and life.

I use Christians as an example but this symptom is not acute to them only. It has been my experience that, humanity in general, indulges in ignorance of truth for countless, and mysterious, reasons. So if you're not a Christian, please understand I'm using Christians as a representation of a greater issue.

If I could impart only a single piece of wisdom to the world it would be this: seek truth and heed to it.

To do otherwise will always result in deduction.

* Deduction being my word choice to concisely summarize Death and it's children: Destruction and Perversion.

There is so much more to be said on this matter but I will have to articulate it with my life instead of an article.

Where you get digital downloads (DDL) of your old games.

I have tons of old games I bought on disc a while ago and it drives me nuts trying to track down the digital versions. So I've compiled a list of where to buy them:

Steam

• Age of Empires 2 + The Forgotten Expansion
• Age of Kings Expansion

Blizzard

• Starcraft 1 from Blizzard
• Broodwar Expansion
• Warcraft 3 from Blizzard

These are ones I couldn't locate a digital download for so I copied my CD's to digital and uploaded them to my drive for my private use:

• Age of Mythology
• Battle for Middle Earth (from my personal Google Drive so unless I give you access you can't download it) with Hamachi since EA's license expired for their lease of LOTR from New Line Cinema (so they shut down the server). Hamachi, essentially, allows you to create your own server.
• Rise of the Witch King
• Rise of Nations

How Parenting is Improving my Philosophy

I could probably summarize myself as a naturalist. I don't know what the proper definition is so let me explain it myself: someone who believes we're naturally equipped with the skills we need and, generally, have all of the resources available to us to thrive on Earth.

This was not something I was raised to believe, rather it is something that I've developed after many failed belief's in my history of philosophical discovery. It seems that the single most important thing every person should understand about philosophy is that there is absolute truth and it's under your nose about 99.9% of the time. Of course I'm not saying there isn't such a thing as relativity and opinion so please don't misunderstand me.

Parenting, and then marriage, have been the two most influential things in developing a cohesive philosophy founded within reality. And today I had an epiphany:

My son is at an age where he's trying a lot of new things on his own. As a result, he often gets frustrated and expresses it through verbal or physical behavior. I find that I get frustrated and "snap" at him as a result. And, if he hadn't already, that act provokes him to react angrily towards me as well... Shame on me!

But that's just what happens sometimes. Until today... when I realized he doesn't get frustrated when he gets up and comes to me asking for help (unless I #parentFail and ignore him or something).

So, too, when I'm finding myself frustrated with my circumstances I realize now that I just need to take my attention off of the thing that is frustrating me and simply ask our creator to assist me.

Definitely apart of that 99.9% I mentioned.

Death

I've heard that the chemical that creates, what we call, stress is what triggers our bodies decay. Without it, theoretically; it is my understand that we'd live forever.

If that's true, then finding a solution to eliminate stress would mean that we could live forever. Theoretically. So what causes stress in your live? Finances? Marriage? Relationships? Pain?

For me, it's all of the above. But I discovered one thing they all share in common: time.

• I get stressed about my finances because I have upcoming bills. Therefore, without money I can't pay them. It creates stress.
• I get frustrated with my wife when we disagree on something. If we only had more time to discuss it, practice it and work through it; then our kids would be better off and we'd be a better example to others and enjoy our marriage more. It creates stress.
• If I had more time to work out and prepare really good quality meals from my own garden or a community garden then my body pains would go away.

The bottom line of stress (as far as I can see) is the fact we have a limited amount of time...

So what happens when we run out of time?

Death.

Which brings me back to my knowledge and experience of Jesus. More specifically, his outrageous promise of eternal life through resurrection.

Having swung between living guided by my emotion; to living guided by my mind; over the years I've been shocked at how, no matter which side of the pendulum I'm flying towards, I am increasingly astounded by the _fill in the blank yourself because I can't think of a word that sufficiently glorifies_ of the story of Jesus. So much so that it's existence is simply enough for me to believe it's true even without reasonable evidence and proof that it actually happened.

Jesus, who is God, insured us against death. If you believe the story of Jesus is true then you must accept the reality that God will resurrect you, or keep you entirely, from death.

Which raises an even more enjoyable question: how will this change the way that person lives?

Bible Verses I "Disagree" With (Facetious)

The following article is an ongoing collection of passages from the Bible that I disagree with. The point of this compilation isn't simply to air my opinion; rather it is to confirm whether or not my intuition against them is in accordance with reality. And if they are, further evaluate their impact on my philosophy and, therefore, the way I live and teach others to live.

It has been my experience, however, that if I disagree with a passage from the Bible it's simply because I didn't have the context. Once it's put in that context, I find that I no longer disagree. So my title is intended to be facetious.

I encourage comments on this article in the form of verses you disagree with (and an explanation of why) as well as considerate and authentic responses that may help me (and others who read this) adequately adjust their opinions to be in accordance with what is reality (verifiably true).

Romans 13:1-7

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ..."

Authority, as defined by Webster's "the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience". I would not accept Hitler's authority as authority "from God". And there is no possibility that our creator has appointed every leader without violating his own nature which would seem to make the existence of God, then, impossible. The only condition in which I can foresee myself accepting this passage as true is if the author is assuming that the authority is submitting themselves to God as their authority at all times. Which really isn't possible unless, of course, their assuming forgiveness from God by Christ. But even salvation doesn't guarantee righteous behavior moving forward (in this life).

The only way this verse seems true is if the author is making the assumption that you're omitting authorities that are clearly wicked (Nero, Hitler, etc...). But he clearly states "all", so I find that a hard pressed argument to make. It seems much easier to assume he's expecting you would be a reasonable person and respect authority, generally speaking, and - of course - rebel against people who are a clear threat to God's kingdom established on earth.

Furthermore; I understand that the people he was writing to were under the authority of Nero. Ugh! Nasty guy.

I think this a prime example of when we accept a man's words as God's when they are not. And it's our faith in God (essentially his character) that screams "No! I will not lend myself (faith) to you on this matter. It's simply not true!" which is the only way we accept someone's words (including words in the Bible) as equivalent to the Word of God.

Missing Citations

These are items that I can't cite but I recall reading or hearing. I intend to cite them and respond to them accordingly but anyone reading this should not challenge me about them because I don't actually know whether or not their even in the Bible and I'm not building a case for or against them in any way until I have.

• Proverb that says "Those who obey God's commands will not be hurt." If this is intended to be taken literally, as God's word, it's clearly debunked and it would make God a liar. I think this is another piece of evidence that the Bible is not equivalent to, nor intended to be accepted as; the Word of God.

A Logical Exploration of Our Existence

When our brains recognize something to be inconsistent with reality, it's designed to "sound alarms", if you will (unless you suffer from mental illness like Schizophrenia). As a result our brain either chooses to enact the rest of our body to respond to it... or... to simply ignore it.

Ironically, our brain doesn't let us forget it despite our ignorance. The consequences of our ignorance is not confined to our brain either; it's manifested in any number of ways in our physical being, the physical being of others, and the general existence around us.

I, recently, shared with my wife that there is a fundamental part of my being that is, simply, dissatisfied. I don't know what that part is or why I feel that way.

I can, clearly, recall extended periods of time in my life where I did not feel this way. I've changed my diet, sleeping schedule, work hours, etc... and seen a variety of improvements in my physiological and mental health, but no matter what I do this sense of dissatisfaction haunts me at it's leisure.

Because of this experience, and those I know who share it, I've chosen to publicize my personal exploration of why I feel this way in hopes that I can identify the reason and obtain complete and permanent satisfaction. I understand that some may believe I'm assuming I'm deserving of complete and permanent satisfaction, to which I would respond by asking "What would lead you to believe we aren't?" But please don't mistake that for an unwillingness to acknowledge that it may be achievable nor do I, necessarily, believe it is the "point of life", per say.

I have one request of my readers though; it is that you would know that this document is intended to be in accordance with reality (meaning my questions and answers should be verifiably true - fact not opinion). So, should you notice that something that you can prove is false, believe is not entirely accurate or is poorly phrased: I welcome your comments so that I can respond and possibly revise this document to be completely true and unbiased in every way.


So without further ado:

To locate the origin of my persistent dissatisfaction; it would seem that starting with the reality of my existence is the most adequate starting place:

1. Why do I exist?
Because I am the product of something that proceeded me. Since this is true of everything before me, as well, then, it would seem, that there is no possibility, within my experience of reality, that I cannot be proceeded by something.

2. What do I exist for?
In the simplest form; for whatever that predecessor desires/d.

3. Who or what is this predecessor?
It seems to be metaphysical (in the strictest scientific definition of the word that would mean it's simply in a space we cannot fully comprehend or experience, at least, in our present human form). As the product of this creator, we know that nothing could exist without it, therefore everything that exists pre-existed within it first, in some form. In other words, humans are cognoscente, so the creator, too, must possess some sort of cogniscience. Humans experience community, so it too must possess some form of community within itself. Etc...

4. Should I communicate with this creator? And does it want to communicate with me?
If the second question is true then we must communicate with it, or it with us, to know it's will. Which seems like a logical question and desire? Since we see that all beings must communicate mutually, that becomes evidence (not fact) that we are designed to communicate, mutually, with our creator as well. Therefore, if all we are, and could seek, is possessed by this creator and shared with us at it's discretion then we can conclude we should conscientiously (intentionally) communicate, and attempt to communicate, with our creator.

5. How do I communicate with this being?
Since we could not come into existence without this being, it seems that every part of our being is connected to, or in communication with, that creator. Meaning, also, that there is no separation from it without ceasing to exist. This evidence suggests that we are currently equipped to communicate with it by whatever way is native to us. This would include speaking, writing, singing or making melody, thought, physical demonstration, and presumably, possibly; more.

6. How will this being communicate with me?
Referring to the previous question, if our existence is completely integral with our creator then it's equally likely that it communicates to us by wielding any and every aspect of existence to do so (since we have not confirmed whether or not it exists in the form of a human or any other living creature that is capable of communicating in the common ways we are accustomed to). It may also be able to communicate in more ways if it is truly metaphysical in the loosest sense of the word. Again this could come in the form of communication through a physical person, but could extend to controlling reality itself in infinite ways (from our perspective).

7. How can I confirm that this being communicated with me?
Since there, appears, to be infinite ways this being can communicate with us it would seem that our being (maybe our brain?) must obtain faith as a result of any communications to act as evidence of that communication. Faith, according to Webster's, is a feeling of confidence in someone or something.

8. How does this relate to my being obtaining complete and permanent satisfaction?
If I should lack anything, I may be able to obtain it through the physical world without cognoscente (knowing or intentional) attempts to communicate with the creator. But if I cannot obtain it without cogniscience, as I feel I experience presently, this rationale reveals that I can obtain it if the creator wills it to me. Therefore I must seek and communicate with that creator to present my request to be satisfied (in any way whether it's mental, physiological, financial, etc...). To which it may, or may not, respond. Possibly with requests of it's own, which I must fulfill prior to obtaining that satisfaction (though that's speculation, not fact).

9. What do we know about this creator? For example, is it personable or pantheistic?
This question isn't, necessarily, required to answer my original question about why I feel dissatisfied. But in light of how the questions and answers have developed I think it add's value to this entry to explore it.

The conclusions above, if true, dictates that this creator is both personable and pantheistic. Everything in existence was created by it and cannot exist apart from it (typical pantheistic view). Yet it has also chosen to share this existence with us even as we're apart of it. And, interestingly, with what was given to me by this existence, I was made capable to willingly judge it as immeasurably gracious, to say the least. This is because of the many experiences I have that bring me satisfaction in the form of happiness, joy, chocolate, and more...

10. Am I satisfied now?
At the beginning of the writing of this article: no. At this very moment: yes.

I suppose that means I am in accordance with reality and have, in some way, sought and communicated with this creator, thus fulfilling it's own will, because I feel completely satisfied (in mind and body).

If I don't feel satisfied then this logical exploration dictates that I am not fulfilling the will of our creator. So to re-obtain it I must seek and fulfill it's will, first. Though it may choose to give to me freely and without requiring that of me (most certainly).

Are you satisfied?



If I may, now, pair this exploration with my personal opinion I'd like to indict you to consider that this creator may have, in fact, communicated with us in the form of a human during the end of the last century BC/BCE (I don't care what you call it, I just say both so as not to indicate a bias or concern of either).

1. The Bible tells us that we were created.
2. It says that our ancestors chose to ignore the will of the creator which introduced some sort of separation between humanity (possibly all of existence) and it's creator.
3. The creator desired to redeem this incident because the cost to re-seam that separation was beyond what our ancestors obtained, or even could obtain. I don't know why the cost was so great though, but if it's true that separation from our creator means ceasing to exist then maybe it's because the creator knows that if we cease to exist we cannot pay the debt. Meaning if we don't heed the will of the creator, we cease to exist, and something that ceases to exist cannot redeem itself obviously. But why was a single act of disobedience resulting, ultimately, in ceasing to exist? See this article I wrote, in the end of it I elaborate on why a single act of disobedience results in  ultimate death.
4. So the creator became like a person and suffered, with us, until a moment where his own human death made it possible for him to fund the repair from his own resources (whatever they are).
5. This act, somehow (frankly I don't care how, nor do I find it detrimental or necessary for my existence to know - if you do please explain why in a comment), redeemed the separation and brought humanity back to the place where it must choose, again, to heed to the will of the creator.

I bring this up because the books of the Bible have changed my life. And if you're reading this, it's possible you're dissatisfied in some part of your being. So, for me, the story of Jesus that is told in these books has enabled me to, more easily, obtain complete satisfaction. Which is followed by so much more, such as peace and joy, excitement and right-ness in my behavior.

I've discovered that there is valid, verifiable, historicity to these books, but that's not why I trust them. Rather, it's the impact they've had on my experience of reality. It's birthed and matured my trust in them and, ultimately, my desire to follow Jesus as he, the creator himself, demonstrated what life in communication with our creator looks like.