Ned Anzers: Isn’t faith a psychological crutch?

To answer this question we must answer a series of questions:

What is faith?

Faith is the believing in the unknown. Heb.11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We all show faith each day in things that are unknowable. You have put faith in your car that it will get you from point A to B. You have faith that George Washington was really the first President of the USA. You put faith in the fact that the very chair you are sitting in will hold you up.

What is our basis of faith?

The Bible was written that we might have faith. John 20:30-31 says, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Faith has a source, which is His Word: the Bible. The Bible never encourages us to have faith in someone or something we can know nothing about. Rather it does the opposite, it asks us to have faith in One we can know. The Bible helps us know and examine the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Why do I need faith?

Faith fills what is lacking in my life. Jesus says inMatt. 9:12, “But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” I am spiritually sick and faith is for the weak. When you look at the world can you honestly say everything is alright. A person that believes that is more blind that a person who has faith in God.

Since I am sick I need spiritual help. In Matt. 11:28-29 Jesus meets this need by saying, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

So isn’t faith for the weak?

Faith calls you to die to yourself. Now Jesus gives a unique challenge in Luke 9:23-24: “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” God calls a person of faith to a radical life. He doesn’t promise that faith in Him is an easy-cheesy life, rather it will be difficult. Imagine what the image of the cross brought to mind of a person in Jesus day. It would be like a noose or electric chair to us today. Yikes. [Note: The example of Paul (2 Cor.11:24-27), no he is not insane (Acts 26:24-29).]

Faith in Christianity is not blind faith at all. In fact, it is faith in the knowable and personable Jesus Christ that was a real historical figure, really written about and really is who He says He is. Faith is not a psychological crutch. Faith is for the weak and the doubter, the skeptics and the atheist.