Genesis Vol 3.pdf - College Press

GENESIS
is “unto the saving of the soul.” The subject-matter
which follows, in ch. 11, is an analysis of that kind of
faith, what it is, whence it is obtained, and how it operates
unto salvation, as exemplified in the lives of many illus-
trious believers of olden times. The writer proves to be
an excellent sermonizer, as we might expect in view of
his having been inspired by the Spirit of God. He states
his text in v. 1, and then proceeds to develop it with
appropriate illustrations drawn from Old Testament ’ his-
tory. His concluding exhortation follows, in ch. 12, vs.
1-2. We shall attempt here to evaluate the teaching of
this great chapter on the nature (i.e., the original and
essential characteristics) of faith,
Let me repeat that the kind of faith under considera-
tion here is the faith that works “unto the saving of the
By some this has been called “saving faith..” Not
that faith of itself will save any one, because it will not;
but that the right kind of faith will motivate the believer
to such intelligent and” sincere cooperation with God, on
God’s terms and according to His plan, that He may
save the one who so believes. It is who
saves, but ,always through Jesus Christ (John
sidering the $excellence of
portant that we know what fai
T am profoundly thankful that the H
regarding this eise
finite minds to formulate ’a definition.
We are not’,compelled to go either to philosophy or to
theology fdr‘ a definiti
he essential characteristics of faith?
This huestion is fully answered in the words of our text,
as follows:
,
Faith is “assurance . . .” “Assurance” is defined
as Stconfidence inspired or expressed,” “that which pro-
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