Faith as Fidelity to God's Will

In the season after Pentecost, Shiloh's Bible study groups have been working on an alternative definition of what we mean when we say "faith." We have arrived at this preliminary statement:

Faith is fidelity to God's will.

The problem with any such attempted definition is in defining the terms that are used. The Bible study groups have been careful in their considerations. Let's begin with the foundation. What is God's will to which faith is commitment?

God's will, we have concluded together, is best reflected in the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ, though not exclusive to it. There is a Christ ethic that is established in Jesus' earthly ministry and an archetype that is established in his Crucifixion and Resurrection. The Jesus ethic and the archetype of Christ witness to the Hellenistic world's Heavenly virtues. It is always better for humankind when persons go out of their way for their brothers and sisters, sacrificing themselves to serve others. This single belief lies at the core of world religions. It is better to serve others than to provide exclusively for one's self.

God's will is revealed in the Jesus ethic, the Christ archetype, the Heavenly virtues, in simple acts of kindness, generosity, grace and mercy. It is to this will that faith demands fidelity. It demands complete and total commitment, loyalty and devotion. The Jesus ethic is a way of life that reflects God's will for humankind. The Christ archetype is a way of life that witnesses to God's will. The Heavenly virtues are concrete ways of life that articulate a spiritual reality that is over and above the physical and material realm. People of faith are asked to exhibit complete commitment to these ways of life.

Faith, then, is the practice of the will of God as a way of life. Faith, we concluded, is less about belief and more about actions. It is more a verb and less a noun. We do not possess or lack faith. We either do acts of faith or we fail to do them. We either live out of our complete and utter fidelity to God's will or we fall short.
Faith is fidelity to God's will.

This definition of faith is contrary in some important ways from several more traditional alternative definitions. Faith has often been tied to belief systems, to orthodoxies, and they form "isms" or "anities." Post-Reformation denominationalism is the result of this definition of faith. Schism and division result from sometimes minuscule differences of interpretation and tradition. People are divided into "belief camps" by how they were taught about a myriad of aspects of right practice.

Particular definitions of faith have also been used as litmus tests for inclusion. As a Pastor, I have been asked many times whether or not I believe in things like God's six-day Creation, or Jesus' virgin birth, or whether or not Jesus walked on water. If I say I do, I am patted on the back and welcomed into the old buddy club of church tradition. If I say I do not, then I am branded a heretic and ushered out.

Faith as fidelity to God's will rests only on these beliefs: 1. That Jesus Christ reveals God's will and 2. People of faith may dedicate their time, energy, talent and enthusiasm to that which Christ Jesus reflects. Perhaps this seems simplistic. Maybe it seems obvious. Yet, religious groups seem to want to spend a great deal of time and energy on considering aspects of orthodoxy and metaphysics that lead the church away from the practice of God's will, as revealed in Christ and others.

Shiloh's Bible studies are held on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel and are open to anyone. Upon occasion, specialized studies are held at Boston's Bistro and Pub, in a program that Shiloh calls "Bible @ Boston's." Again, everyone is welcome. Join us as we work toward an even deeper understanding of faith as fidelity to God's will.