We must survey how Jesus understood the nature of faith through his interactions with different people and his own declarations about belief and unbelief. Much more can be said theologically about each interaction, but I just want to make some observations relevant to our subject. I want to glean information regarding the meaning, source, dynamic, and efficacy of faith as affirmed by Jesus himself and see if these comport with the Calvinist’s claims about faith. I recommend reading the passages in full.
Mt. 8:5-13; Lu. 7:1-9 (CSB) – As to the Gentile Centurion who requested Jesus heal his servant by his word because he felt unworthy for Jesus to come under his roof, the text tells us that, “Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith.” After his chastisement of the comparative faithlessness of his own people Israel, we read, “Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that very moment.” Here we have Jesus’ acknowledgment of the centurion’s “so great a faith.” Jesus’ chastisement of Israel indicates that equally great faith, if not greater faith, should have been found in Israel because of God’s work in and for them throughout their history. Again, Jesus is looking for a response of faith. And yet, in general, the very “people of God” no longer truly believed their God. That was evidenced by their rejection of Jesus.
Mt. 6:26-34 (CSB) – Here in the “sermon on the mount” Jesus teaches the people that their heavenly Father cares for them and how this knowledge should relieve them of their worries and anxious cares of this life – what to eat, what to drink, what to wear, etc. And since their heavenly Father feeds the birds and clothes the lilies of the field, and those gathered there listening are of more value to God than these, Jesus asks the rhetorical question, “Won’t he do much more for you?” (v. 30) And here Jesus immediately adds, “O you of little faith?” He identifies anxious worry as a deficiency in trust and confidence in God – their heavenly Father. Jesus also assures them “your heavenly Father knows that you need [these things].” (v. 32) Jesus links worry and anxiety over all these things that the “Gentiles eagerly seek” to “little faith.” (v. 30) [Note the emphasis on the Israelites to be people of faith by the mention of “the Gentiles.” Jesus wants, expects the “chosen people” or the elect to believe.] Again, faith, or the lack thereof, takes expression in what we anxiously seek after. Hence, Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (v. 33) Faith here is that confidence in the provision of God for our fundamental needs so that we may seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Luke 17:11-19 – Jesus heals ten lepers and only one comes back, falling at Jesus’ feet to thank him. To this one Jesus says, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (ESV) Jesus had already healed this man and yet his faith was expressed by his worship and thankfulness to Jesus. Jesus declares therefore “your faith has made you well.” The CSB has “Your faith has saved you.” Perhaps Jesus was making a pronouncement that refers to more than merely the physical healing of this one who came back to thank him? But note again, as in many of Jesus’ interactions, this is also a lesson on the contrast of the paltry faith response of the Jews to Jesus because the text clearly emphasizes “Now he was a Samaritan” (v. 16) and the Jews looked down upon the Samaritans and thought themselves superior to them. But where was their faith in the work of God and in Jesus? The implication is that the others, especially the Jews, should also have returned to thank Jesus and recognize who he was – their Messiah.
Mt 9:20-22; Mk. 5:25-32 (CSB) – A woman who suffers bleeding for twelve years says to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I’ll be made well.” The text then says, “Jesus turned and saw her. “Have courage, daughter,” he said. “Your faith has saved you.” And the woman was made well from that moment.” A beautifully simple example of what faith looks like in both sentiment and action. She believed correctly about who Jesus was and what he could do for her. Jesus responded to her faith.
Mt 9:27-30 (CSB) – Two blind men cry out to Jesus “Have mercy on us Son of David!” Notice now how Jesus raises the issue of faith. The text continues, “Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened.” The text is clear that it is the faith of these men that is at work here and that the focus of their faith is the “Lord.” Faith doesn’t accomplish the healing on its own. It is faith in Jesus that opened their eyes. Yet, Jesus confirms, acknowledges, and acts in response to their faith. The account teaches that the faith spoken about here is their own faith and that Jesus, by his act of gracious healing, affirms their faith in him. (cf. Mk 10:46-52)
Mk. 9:14-29 (CSB) – A man brings his son who is demon possessed from childhood to Jesus. The man asks Jesus “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” (v. 22) The text continues, “Jesus said to him, “‘If you can? Everything is possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” Jesus then commands the unclean spirit to come out of the boy and the boy is restored. Note that Jesus takes up on the man’s doubting phrase “if you can” and brings the whole matter back to the issue of his faith. The matter is one, not of Jesus’ reluctance or lack of compassion, but the man’s faith! This is astounding! Jesus probes the man’s disposition of faith (or unbelief) with the statement that “Everything is possible for the one who believes.” That is to say, “Faith is required for you to have your son freed from this unclean spirit.” The man affirms what is most important – faith in Jesus! “Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” That is all Jesus needed to hear. Faith was present. The quantity did not matter. It was the object of whatever faith he had that counted. He confessed that his faith was mixed with unbelief, but his confession of faith in Jesus was an acknowledgement of who Jesus was, therefore his faith was rightly directed and effective for the restoration of his son.
Mk. 6:1-6 (CSB) – Jesus comes into Nazareth, his hometown. He teaches in the synagogue and the people who heard him were astonished. The text reads, “Where did this man get these things?” they said. “What is this wisdom that has been given to him, and how are these miracles performed by his hands? Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” Now note the conclusion they draw from what they obviously heard and seen. “So they were offended by him.” Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his household.” And then Mark records for us the following in vss. 5 and 6. He was not able to do a miracle there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.” The people’s unbelief was their unbelief. The fact that Jesus expected faith but found unbelief tells us that faith or unbelief is not predetermined by God or Jesus. In fact, given the evidences put before them, it amazed Jesus that they did not believe. This revealed their stubborn, unbelieving hearts. Indeed, as Jesus responds positively to faith, he also responds to and is hindered by unbelief. “He was not able to do a miracle there.”
Contrast this with verses 53-56 in this same chapter. Leaving Nazareth, “When they had crossed over, they came to shore at Gennesaret and anchored there. As they got out of the boat, people immediately recognized him. They hurried throughout that region and began to carry the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went, into villages, towns, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch just the end of his robe. And everyone who touched it was healed.” Here is the example of vibrant faith in Jesus to heal their sicknesses that comes from humble, open hearts. This was faith in action.
I would like to examine several other passages that refute the Calvinist view on faith as something God causes only in those he has chosen to save. The first involve several references in the epistle of James and passages in 1 Corinthians 15 and 16:13, Galatians, and Acts 16:30-31.
James (CSB) – We could go on and on providing examples of faith. But no treatment on the subject would be complete without at least a brief survey of the book of James. The major emphasis in James is on faith in action. James makes the following points about faith. a) Trials test faith and produce endurance and maturity. (1:2-4) b) If you need wisdom, ask in faith without doubting, for doubters should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (1:5-7) c) In 2:1 the objective content of the faith is referenced. “My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.” d) God chose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him. (2:5) e) True saving faith is evidenced by works. And we are back to Abraham, the paradigm of faith. James asks, “Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.” (2:21-23)
1 Cor. 15:1-2 (CSB) – The text reads, “Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” It appears that Paul understands faith as the reception of the gospel, taking a stand on that gospel by which they are being saved, with the caveat “if you hold to the message I preached to you.” The implication here is that if they do not hold to that message then their faith can be “in vain.” (vss. 1,2) They are being saved by the gospel as long as they continue in faith. Paul goes on to say that if Christ is not raised from the dead Paul’s proclamation is in vain and their faith is in vain (1:14) In 1 Cor. 16:13 we read “Be alert, stand firm in the faith…” Even though “the faith” here refers to the content of Christianity, “stand firm” contains the idea of “keep on believing.” The point to note in these verses is the contingent nature of faith in contrast to the Calvinist’s deterministic understanding of faith.
The Truth of the Gospel 