Is Faith Really a Gift If We Have to Choose to Believe?
In this thought-provoking episode, father-daughter duo Lutheran theologians, Paul Hinlicky and Sarah Hinlicky Wilson, tackle a listener’s question about the nature of faith and Gods work in our spiritual lives. They explore how Gods work manifests in gifting us faith while still crediting Abraham’s faith as righteousness, addressing the seeming paradox between divine initiative and human response.
The conversation delves deep into Lutheran theology’s understanding of how Gods work operates through grace, breaking down barriers in our hearts while respecting human dignity. From Augustine’s journey to modern faith crises, the hosts demonstrate how Gods work encompasses both the gift of faith and our authentic human response, showing that doubt itself can be part of Gods work in deepening our trust and understanding.
ORIGINAL QUESTION SUBMITTED BY A LISTENER LIKE YOU:
“I listen to a Lutheran podcast (1517.org) regularly and they state faith is gift of God. Like He ‘faiths’ us and even ‘repents’ us, but my focus here is on faith. Now If faith is a gift, how could ‘faith have been credited to Abraham as righteousness’? If faith is based on human decision to seek him, find him and follow him, how is it that they attribute that all to God? They often say in the podcast that ‘He does all the verbs.’ How so?”
BIBLE REFERENCES:
- Galatians 2:20 – “No longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”
- Genesis – Abraham’s faith credited as righteousness
- John 3:16 – “God so loved the world”
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Queen of the Sciences podcast – Hosted by Paul Hinlicky and Sarah Hinlicky Wilson
- Tokyo Lutheran Church – English-speaking congregation in Japan
- Roanoke College – Where Paul Hinlicky taught
- Luther Seminary
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