<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder A blessed morning to all. Today is the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost. We're halfway through the non-festival part of the Church's calendar, since this year has twenty-six Sundays between Pentecost and the First Sunday in Advent. I think that most of us here in East Texas are praying that we are more than halfway through our hot, dry summer. Q: Thank you for your comments on virtue. Could you talk a bit more about faith? It seems as I read your column from week to week that you are using more than one meaning for the word. A: I am using two basic meanings. Normally, when I write, I follow the lead of other Christian writers in the English language and talk of a "Big F" Faith and a "little f" faith. What we distinguish may also be called objective and subjective faith. The "Big F" deals with the Object of our beliefs - with what is believed - which is ultimately Jesus Christ. Often, I will write "The (Christian) Faith" when dealing with this definition. We might call this, "The Faith which is believed." The other definition is, "The faith which believes." I have faith. You have faith. Everyone has faith ... of some sort. We all believe certain things to be true; we all trust in one thing or another. The faith of atheists is that they or chance or a random universe is in ultimate control of their destiny. The faith of most religious people around the world is that they will receive some reward by doing certain things. The reward varies. The deeds might be more intense belief, more fervent prayer, greater acts of kindness or sacrifice, or other good works (as their religion defines good). Christian faith is different because the Faith speaks differently to Christians. It tells us that our actions can never please God. Our best is not as good as his worst. "All our righteousness is as filthy rags," the prophet says. The faith of the Christian responds by confessing sin and asking forgiveness. Why? Because the Faith also tells us of a Father's love that was so great that he sent his perfect Son who knew no sin to be sin for us. Our faith clings to the promise of forgiveness and salvation that the Lord has made in the inspired words of Scripture. These promises have been echoed in the Creeds and confessions of the Christian Church for almost two thousand years. It is this word of promise, this one, true Faith which the Church confesses, which the Holy Spirit uses to create faith in the hearts of believers. True faith is not the invention of the believer. It is God's handiwork. As the Bible tells us, "By grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works." The Faith is the package of love, healing, salvation, and forgiveness which God has created to redeem and restore fallen humanity. Our faith is the Spirit-inspired response to these beautiful promises. As I said, the Faith is ultimately an expression of Jesus Christ. One of the Church's most simple and beautiful expressions of this Faith is in the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed. These words show how our faith focuses on the Faith, speaking its truth to the world: "And [I believe] in Jesus Christ, [God's] only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead." These words tell us what the Faith is all about. When we add our personal "I believe," we join with countless Christians who have been given confidence in their salvation through the work of Christ Jesus. I know that my Redeemer lives, and that because he lives, I will live also. Thus, Faith speaks to faith, and faith answers with joy. I serve because I have been served. I pray because Jesus has already prayed and continues to pray for me. I love because I am loved. My faith is secure because the Faith is true. That finishes another week. Remember to "Ask the Pastor" your questions at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.