What is Faith?

“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6), for “whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Rom 14:23). As these verses indicate, it would be difficult to overestimate the importance of faith in the Christian worldview. And yet, there seems to be profound and systemic confusion about what faith is. Some say it’s contrary to reason and is irrational. Others say it’s reasonable and based on evidence. Some say it is blind and like taking a leap in the dark. Others say they walk by the light of faith. Some say faith is the opposite of doubt. Others say they have faith despite doubts. Few words have been the subject of so much attention, so much study, so much articulation, and yet remained so nebulas in popular imagination. So, what is faith? Why is it so central to the Christian faith? And how exactly does it “save” us from, well, just about everything (sin, death, deception, despair, etc.) Philosopher C. A. McIntosh (PhD, Cornell University) subjects “faith” to the rigors of philosophy and theology, providing a truly insightful synthesis.