new church life: march/april 2016
life by ourselves living with the integrity, the wisdom, the patience and good
judgment and with the devoted care that were embodied and are embodied in
the life of Reade Genzlinger.
You have seen . . . says the Lord, how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought
you to Myself. (Exodus 19:4)
(For another tribute to Reade Genzlinger, see Life Lines, page 198.)
The Rev. Kurt Hyland Asplundh is retired but teaches theology part time in the Bryn
Athyn College Theological School and sixth-grade religion at Bryn Athyn Church School.
He lives with his wife, Jenn (Coffin), in Bryn Athyn. Contact: [email protected]
O U R N E W C H U RC H V O C A B U L A R Y
Part of a continuing series developed by the Rev. W. Cairns Henderson, 1961-1966.
FAITH
Here we have a term to which the Writings give a radically different meaning from
that which it has in Christian theology. Faith, they teach, is neither an intellectual, historical
acceptance of the passion and merits of Christ nor a blind assent to that which transcends the
understanding, and it differs in quality from the commitment (fiducia) which Luther himself
preferred to mere assent.
Faith is an internal acknowledgment and affection: an internal acknowledgment of truth
from sight and understanding of it, and an internal affection of truth from willing the truth
because it is true; and it consists in desiring from the heart to know what is good and true for
the sake of life. It is therefore inseparable from life and is one with the good of charity.
Indeed we are taught the understanding of good is what is principally called the truth
of faith, and that faith is the operation of the Lord alone through the charity in a man. There
are various compounds that should be briefly noted. Thus historical faith is that which rests
upon human authorities; persuasive faith is belief for the sake of selfish or worldly ends; and
spurious faith is that in which falsities are mixed with truths. (See Faith 1; Heavenly Doctrines
112; Arcana Coelestia 36, 1162 2954, 4605, 8034; Doctrine of Life 36; Apocalypse Revealed 655)
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