Dr Paul Allen

The opening words of Hebrews 11, “now faith is the substance of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen ,” sometimes perplexes Bible students who are accustomed to the classical Reformed description of faith as consisting of knowledge, assent, and trust. These biblical words seem to be giving a rather different definition. What is the explanation? It is a relatively simple one: the author of Hebrews is not analyzing faith into its component parts; rather, he is telling us how faith operates. Faith is the substance, that is, the assurance, the steady confidence of mind, even the “title deed” (as one Greek grammar suggests) of what we hope for. Here, of course, “hope” (“things hoped for”) is not wishful thinking, but something that is certain but not yet fully realized in our present experience. It is the hope of which Paul speaks in Romans 5:5 where he says that the hope of glory will not let us down because we have already tasted the love of God in our hearts through

English: This detail from a 16th century Mogul miniature gives a Moslem interpretation of Noah and the Flood. Notice how the cat calmly sits aloof from the rest of the passengers on the ark and seems unconcerned about the activity around her. century, Noah and the Flood (detail), Mogul, miniature http://www.­netserves.com/­gallery/catsart2.htm (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) "By faith Noah , being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." ( Hebrews 11:7 ) The little phrase "things not seen" is used three times in the New Testament , and interestingly enough, these refer to the past, present, and future works of God with respect to the things that are seen. At the beginning of the "faith chapter" of Hebrews occur these remarkable words: "Now faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen . . . . T

Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber to be an example of a charismatic religious leader. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ." ( Hebrews 11:1 ) The marvelous "faith chapter," Hebrews 11 , is an amazing chapter. Here, faith is defined not as some intangible wishfulness, but as "substance" and "evidence." Let us look closely. First of all, faith must have a legitimate object, nothing less than the mighty Creator by whom "the worlds were framed" ( v. 3 ) out of nothing but His omnipotent Word. Beyond this, faith is further defined, not by what it is, but by what it does! The man of faith comes to God by "a more excellent sacrifice," like that of Abel ( v. 4 ), typifying the sacrifice of Christ . Faith will, like Enoch, live to please God ( v. 5 ), and will, like Noah , prepare an Ark (i.e., do whatever necessary out of obedience to God) &qu

Image via Wikipedia "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ." ( Hebrews 11:1 )   The eleventh chapter of Hebrews, known as the great Hall of Fame of Faith reciting the faith and resulting action of many Old Testament heroes, begins with a description of what faith is.   First, we see that it is the "substance of things hoped for." Biblically, we know that the Christian "hope" is a hope so real it has substance in the present. None of the people of faith recited in this chapter actually saw the promises made to them come to fruition, but they so believed in them that they lived in the present as if the future were reality.   The word "substance" occurs only two other times in Hebrews. It is used to speak of Christ as the exact representation of God 's essence and nature, "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person |i.e., substance|" ( Hebrews 1:3 ). It is a

Image via Wikipedia "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ." ( Hebrews 11:1 )   The eleventh chapter of Hebrews, known as the great Hall of Fame of Faith reciting the faith and resulting action of many Old Testament heroes, begins with a description of what faith is.   First, we see that it is the "substance of things hoped for." Biblically, we know that the Christian "hope" is a hope so real it has substance in the present. None of the people of faith recited in this chapter actually saw the promises made to them come to fruition, but they so believed in them that they lived in the present as if the future were reality.   The word "substance" occurs only two other times in Hebrews. It is used to speak of Christ as the exact representation of God 's essence and nature, "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person |i.e., substance|" ( Hebrews 1:3 ). It is a

Image via Wikipedia The author of Hebrews defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ” (Heb. 11:1).  Faith fills the vacuum of hope. Hope , when coupled with faith, has substance, and substance is something rather than nothing. Faith also provides evidence for that which is not visible.  Faith is not blind. Indeed far from being blind, it is both far-sighted and sharp-sighted. Its evidence rests not on speculation but on confidence in a God who sees what we cannot see. It rests on trust in the reliability of every promise that is uttered by God. It is one thing to believe in God. It is quite another to believe God. Abraham believed God when He said He would show him a better country. He believed God again later when God dramatized His covenant promise in Genesis 15, and by this faith Abraham was counted righteous. He was justified by his faith.  That Abraham’s faith was genuine is seen in that he obeyed God by faith. True faith is