Shawn discusses the distinction between good and bad faith, emphasizing that while some equate faith in Jesus with belief in Santa Claus, good faith is based on evidence and reasonable belief in a creator, unlike the fictional narrative of Santa. He encourages embracing a life of faith with confidence, even in the face of criticism, and highlights that atheists also practice faith, albeit in the absence of a creator.
Understanding Faith in a Modern Context
As we approach the Christmas holiday, I've noticed an interesting trend. People often liken faith in Jesus or God to belief in Santa Claus. Have you ever encountered this idea? You might hear, "Oh well, Santa Claus is real too." Today, I want to delve into the concept of good faith versus bad faith, a topic that's gaining attention on social media. It's an important discussion.
The Distinction Between Good Faith and Bad Faith
Recently, I engaged in a conversation with some atheists about faith. As a Christian, I've decided to put my faith in certain truths. But what's the difference between good faith and bad faith? Within the Christian community, there are those who label themselves as Christians but may have misplaced faith. Take, for example, the followers of David Koresh in Waco, Texas. They put their faith in him, but it was, in fact, bad faith because he was providing misleading information.
Exploring Faith in Different Communities
Here in Utah, where we broadcast, there's a church with many good people, possibly Christians or even saved individuals. Yet, their faith can appear sketchy. They believe in things such as their founder's name being found in the Book of Genesis, despite him being born in the early 1800s. They also believe in the story of gold plates and the Book of Mormon. To me, these tales border on what I call "Santa Claus faith."
The Santa Claus Comparison
Let's examine the Santa Claus analogy. How does he travel the world in one night, slide down every chimney, and deliver all the toys? Comparing God to Santa Claus might seem clever, but it's not a fair comparison. When you observe a rose, a grand oak tree, a pod of dolphins swimming, or the majestic Rocky Mountains, you see the cosmos at its finest. Some might attribute these wonders to a creator, while others may deny it.
Evidence and Faith
The atheist might argue there's no creative being behind this, while I see evidence of a creator, which supports good faith. It's not like Santa Claus slipping in toys overnight; it's observable phenomena in our world. We choose to place our faith based on this evidence. Some may dismiss it as bad faith, but as a Christian, I find sufficient evidence to believe in a creator.
Embracing a Life of Faith
Not everything within the Christian community represents good faith; there are indeed questionable stories. The crux of today's message is to encourage you, if you're contemplating a life of faith, to recognize that while you might not have all the answers, there's enough reasonable evidence before you. Trust that there is a God and that afterlife promises will be fulfilled.
Never be ashamed of embracing reasonable good faith. In a world where living by faith might seem out of place, it's essential to stand confidently in what you believe.
Faith in Today's World
In our world today, there's a lot of criticism directed at faith. However, in reality, atheists express as much faith as I do in a creator. Their belief is that there is no creator.
Atheism and Faith
Atheists look at the evidence and put their faith in the absence of a creator. It's a negative faith, but still an expression of belief, just in a different direction than mine.
Embracing Your Faith
I'm suggesting that when it comes to your good and reasonable faith, which you base your Christian walk on, you should never be embarrassed or ashamed of it.
