In Search of a Confident Faith.

Book Review.

Moreland, J,P. Issler, Klaus. In Search of a Confident Faith. Inter-Varsity Press. 2008.
JPM- PhD, professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology.
KI- PhD, professor of Christian Education, Talbot School of Theology.

Comment. Henry
This book is presented in two sections. The first has to do with challenges to our faith in God. It reflects a fairly strong academic (theological) approach. Very sound evangelical teaching. The second section focuses on Expanding Expectations for our faith in God. Topics such as answers to prayer, the silence(s) of God, miracles, personal divine guidance, etc. are dealt with. The authors become very relevant and amazingly broadminded evangelicals.

We live in a culture that has a gross misunderstanding of what faith is. To help understand the word ‘faith’ three synonyms are introduced, “confidence, trust, and reliance”. (17) Faith and reason are often portrayed as polar opposites. Faith involves “knowledge, assent, and commitment”. (19) It comes in degrees. Regarding confidence we must recognize the difference between “confidence in, and confidence that”. (24) Beliefs that can change are an aspect of faith. There is ample knowledge of God’s existence; however, there is a ‘hiddenness’ about his presence. Faith and/or trust are fundamental to life and its activities.

There are influences in our culture (media, intellectuals, etc.) that consistently portray Christians (especially evangelicals) as intellectually inferior. This is a myth and not a valid reason for intellectual doubt. An eight-step approach is laid out on how to deal with valid intellectual doubts. Matters of the heart, positive and negative desires that are a part of our past can become serious distractions for us.
Jesus’ promises relate to themes about God-confidence (faith). He promises answers to prayer. How we determine what we believe depends on our “plausibility structures”. (102) Our God-confidence (faith) is strengthened through glimpses of heaven in scripture. It is normal to expect and experience growth in our God-confidence.

The greatest source of doubt about God is “God’s apparent inactivity, indifference or impotence in the face of tragedy and suffering”. Christian Smith. Christians in our Western culture are hesitant to give public testimony to obvious miracles lest they be viewed as ‘weird’ by the skeptics. There seems to be a ‘risk’ in praying for miracles, (healings) they may or may not happen. Both authors give witness to numerous miracles (healings) that they have seen in recent times.

God’s will is presented as functioning in two categories. One is a very broad plan overarching history and the other is a personal plan impacting a lifestyle that pleases God. The theological terms ‘providence and the permissive will of God’ are applied to God’s personal plan. To learn about God’s will for our lives through Bible reading should involve “analytical and meditative” (181) reading. This is a discipline. Be open to the Spirit’s guidance through “inner words”. (186) God speaks through dreams.