Faith in the New Testament

Abstract

The method adopted is to begin with the Pauline literature, and to work forward and backward from that point. In Paul nivtis represents the way to salvation and the life in Christ. John has an equally dynamic conception, demonstrated in his use of the verbal form, with its characteristic object into ( a’s ) Him'. Both these usages point to a dynamism introduced earlier into the term. Acts deepens this impression, and represents a bridge between 'faith' as used in the Synoptics and as understood later in Catfeiolic theology. Hebrews is unique in pointing to Jesus as the pattern believer. Its Platonlsm lights up the conception of faith as the link with the eternal realm. James carries two views concerning faith (1) as 'belief’ and (2) as connecting dynamically with t he power of God, an emphasis which points again to 'faith' as depicted in the ministry of Jesus. The rest of the N.T. books reveal divergent strains, but witness to a deterioration, shown especially in the Pastorals in the equation with 'belief in sound doctrine' and the use of the objective expression, the faith'. This process is continued, in the main, in the Apostolic Fathers. For the origin, of the dynamic use of nivtis, examination is made of its philology and its O.T. background, and of the possible influence of the religious movements of the Graeco-Roman world. Finally the stream is traced to its fountain source in Jesus, in the emphasis He gave to it, and the dynamic use He made of it. Set against the background of the 'Kingdom', it is seen, in the Synoptics - where its results are often super-normal – to provide the channel for the Power and Grace of God to enter human life and redeem it, on all levels.