cartoon: faith’s shadow

Can’t really have one without the other (in some ying-yang type thing)

Why does God require faith instead of good works?

I think God requires faith, because that’s really the only way He could be in a relationship with us.

If He suddenly wanted to prove to everyone (once and for all) that He really does exist, and He took a giant index finger visable to everyone in the world, and wrote in the sky, ‘I AM YOUR GOD’…we wouldn’t doubt His existence, but we would be frightened to death of Him.

Just my theory.

Just now reading a book by John Ortberg titled “Faith and Doubt.” Causing me to think of things I never thought of before.

Ann B, for me doubt is like a light coming on—-and if I find a solution or answer it is then like stepping out into the sunlight and fresh air. Some of my doubts will never be answered in this realm of my life, but I find that exciting.
fishon

dude, this would be a fantastic t-shirt. i’m serious, find someone to transfer the graphic and print some up and put them on cafepress. it says more than two words have any business saying and it really gets you between the eyes. this is harcore realness.

From Linn : “Why does God require faith instead of good works?”

This question alone could open up a whole can of theologies!

Some might point out that the phrase ‘instead of’ might be replaced with many other phrases that fit with their own system (such as “in order to do”, or “before”, etc. — this list could go on).

Here’s an attempt to add to the conversation, but by no means is it a complete resolution:

We don’t always control the consequences of our works. Our intentions may be the best in the world but that doesn’t guarantee we will be understood or we will even help a situation. Also, in no way shape or form can we ‘know’ all the useful ‘knowledge’ of a situation before we act. We are limited, corporeal beings. Faith allows us to make a choice, and move towards what we think is the best course of action considering our own interests, information, (agenda,) wishes for a certain outcome (good or often enough otherwise).

As NP’s entry today suggests (and as others have commented) faith and doubt are always with us, keeping us inconsistent and squabbling even within our own individual heads. But there’s a chance some good might get worked out along the way for each of us.

Now, speaking only for myself, I would do some heavy rearranging of your question for it to fit my ‘beliefs’. But I won’t get into that here. That would just be spewing my own inconsistencies…

Thanks–I love the way you put into pictures the unspoken struggles of the soul.

Reminds me of an Os Guiness book, called Doubt. Doubt is a state between faith and unbelief, says Guinness and thus demands resolution. Here is a post I made on the book last year.
http://ruach.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=1562

This one is timely! Five days ago my inner atheist was shouting very loudly and I was really struggling with ‘God,’ and by Tuesday, I was on my knees giving thanks to God who i wholeheartedly love. And this is by no means unusual for me. Sometimes I find being a Christian exhausting!