Is intellectual faith not sufficient?

[Travail]

Does it matter why a person believes? A minister wanted to tell me that faith based on intellectual insights is not worth anything because the "carnal" mind cannot love or obey God.If this is true then a scientist who explores science and sees God in this and comes to faith because of this does not even have real faith.
Why do christians make everything so complicated? Why do they do as if the mind was inferior? Why do they even separate intellectual faith from other faith?

[TForce]

Because not everyone is worthy enough to deliver God's word, simply put. It is a very big, complicated book, but the general message throughout it is pretty much the same.

[Leafy Green Vegetables]

[ QUOTE ]
Does it matter why a person believes? A minister wanted to tell me that faith based on intellectual insights is not worth anything because the "carnal" mind cannot love or obey God.If this is true then a scientist who explores science and sees God in this and comes to faith because of this does not even have real faith.
Why do christians make everything so complicated? Why do they do as if the mind was inferior? Why do they even separate intellectual faith from other faith?

[/ QUOTE ]

I dont think it matters how you come to have faith, as long as you get there! If scientist uses science as means to have faith in God, than yeah, I could see where someone might have issue with that.

Like I have said in another post, a death of a family member is what brought me to have faith, but it is by no means what is keeping me here.

[tarheelsykes]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Does it matter why a person believes? A minister wanted to tell me that faith based on intellectual insights is not worth anything because the "carnal" mind cannot love or obey God.If this is true then a scientist who explores science and sees God in this and comes to faith because of this does not even have real faith.
Why do christians make everything so complicated? Why do they do as if the mind was inferior? Why do they even separate intellectual faith from other faith?

[/ QUOTE ]

I dont think it matters how you come to have faith, as long as you get there! If scientist uses science as means to have faith in God, than yeah, I could see where someone might have issue with that.

Like I have said in another post, a death of a family member is what brought me to have faith, but it is by no means what is keeping me here.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree totally, it doesn't matter what makes you realize that there is a God, and Jesus is his son who died for you. All that matters is that after you have come to faith, that you alter your life to mirror your faith,you live your life for God.

[Travail]

I'm glad you don't have the same opinion as this minister.
I don't understand why christians make everything so complicated. Why do they even distinguish between different kinds of faith? What is this good for? This only confuses people or makes them feel inferior.

[tarheelsykes]

when you say distinquish between faiths, what do you mean?

[Travail]

They say there is intellectual faith believing in your head and there is also believing in your heart. But what does heart even mean in hebrew?

[tarheelsykes]

well, if some one logically believes in God, but does not live his life for God, that to me would be only in the head, and that is not sufficient. you must love the Lord, giving him your everything.

[TForce]

also, intellectual faith could be construed as not needing God, being superior, left to his own devices, without regard for higher callings, being consumed by selfishness, in essence

[Travail]

No, I mean when you believe in God because of intellectual insights for example science or prophecies. When you for example study the bible and see prophecies fulfilled and this is the reason why you believe then this is basically an intellectual insight, right? But why do christians do as if this is inferior?

[Scottyman]

I think if you read James you'll understand that there is a difference between intellectual assent and true saving faith.
Here's a good read: http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5719

Remember--The demons believe in God and they tremble in fear. What kind of belief do they have?? /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[AllenAyres]

I think Hebrews chapter 11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=65&chapter=11) explains it better what faith is about - "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Intellectual reasoning is probably a good confirmation of our faith, but faith in and of itself is belief in something we can't prove in the here and now - if we could prove it, it wouldn't need faith /forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif They're almost mutually exclusive...

[Travail]

Okay but if we cannot prove it then why do we even have apologetic ministries? If we simply need to have faith then you also don't need answers.