FAITH: Substantial Evidence or Blind Obedience?

"In every change, He faithful will remain"

(Be Still My Soul, a familiar Christian hymn)

Life as a believer has become increasingly demanding as the morale of the world changes. What was once expected as common decency is largely considered old-fashioned. What was once right and true is now considered relative or even wrong (an irony of its own). In a strange turn of history, Christianity, which found its strongest roots in the Western European and American world, is now hardly welcome at home.

Holding onto one's faith is becoming increasingly difficult, but the God of Heaven is not an absentee landlord. The narrow path of discipleship is not easy, "[b]ut they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

Persecution: The Test of Faith

I am a Mormon—a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My people have a hard history of persecution. Some of my not-so-distant ancestors were abused and driven out of their homes—even while calling upon the United States government for Constitutional protection and redress which was never granted. Though Latter-day Saints have enjoyed some tranquil years, we know persecutions will continue (and even increase) until the Savior returns.

But Mormons are not the only people to suffer persecutions. Jews—the Lord's ancient covenant people—have possible suffered more for their faith and heritage than any other people. Muslims also have a rough heritage. And there are many more. Virtually all believers have suffered to some degree at one time or another.

Living one's faith may not be difficult when it is consistent with popular belief. But when society's standards begin to slip, it can make life uneasy for the believer. This is no surprise, however. It was not convenient for the only One who lived a perfect life either (for a wonderful analysis of inconvenient discipleship, see Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Inconvenient Messiah," from a 1982 speech at BYU).

One question faced by many believers is this: if the world is telling me I am wrong, how do I know I am following the right path? How do I know God's laws are true and still relevant? And, for me as a Latter-day Saint, how did I know this Church is still true?

I hope my explanation will resolve some of these questions. Specifically I will discuss the concept of "blind obedience" in contrast to what I think it means to walk by the light of faith.

Now, please remember that I am just another member of the Church. I do not speak on behalf of the Church. However, I have tried to highlight and hyperlink true sources which cut to the core of the issues of faith, truth, and revelation. This post is motivated by reactions to LDS Church teachings, doctrines, policy and procedure.

Let's start with a definition.

Faith: Substantial Evidence or Blind Obedience?

What is faith? Is it a feeling? A belief? A person's religious views? Or is it an assurance? Or even actual knowledge? Though I used "faith" above in reference to religious heritage or belief, I am now focusing on faith as a principle of action and power.

The Apostle Paul described faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrew 11:1). Substance? Evidence? These sound like concrete words. But where is the concreteness in things that are merely "hoped for" and "not seen"? Where is the evidence if we cannot see it? And where is the substance if we cannot hold it, touch it, or taste it?

The truth is we do have real evidence—which I will touch on in a moment. But these types of questions assume that knowledge and truth are limited to the sensual—touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. There is so much more, and it is just as real as what we can discern with the common five senses (for an excellent and thorough discussion on truth, see "What is Truth?," Dieter F. Uchtdorf).

The Lord Jesus Christ performed miracles, but condemned those who sought after 'signs of the flesh.' His miracles did not produce faith (if they did, then all who saw them would have had faith in Him). But to those who believed He gave substantial physical evidence as a foundation for belief in His spiritual power.

My favorite example of this pattern is found in Mark 2, in which Jesus heals a man sick with palsy. After being criticized for saying he forgave the sins of the palsied man, Jesus asks this question: "Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?" (v. 9). And then He followed the question with evidence:

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. (vv. 10-12)

(here is a link if you want to watch the Bible Video or read the verses yourself)

To the faithful His miracles confirmed and increased their faith and allowed them to believe Him when he spoke of "heavenly things" that were sometimes hard to hear (see John 3:1-36 in which Jesus teaches Nicodemus of spiritual rebirth using the example of physical birth; or John 6:25-71 in which Jesus teaches the people of the Bread of Life--Himself--after feeding them loafs of real bread).

To each of us, the Lord compassionately provides enough substantial evidence to move forward, but wisely withholds the complete picture. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7).

So is faith blind? Consider the following from a prophet I admire:

     When men obey commands of a creator, it is not blind obedience. How different is the cowering of a subject to his totalitarian monarch and the dignified, willing obedience one gives to his God. The dictator is ambitious, selfish, and has ulterior motives. God’s every command is righteous, every directive purposeful, and all for the good of the governed. The first may be blind obedience, but the latter is certainly faith obedience. …
     Is it blind obedience when one regards the sign “High Voltage—Keep Away” or is it the obedience of faith in the judgment of experts who know the hazard?
Is it blind obedience when the air traveler fastens his seat belt as that sign flashes or is it confidence in the experience and wisdom of those who know more of hazards and dangers?
     Is it blind obedience when the little child gleefully jumps from the table into the strong arms of its smiling father, or is this implicit trust in a loving parent who feels sure of his catch and who loves the child better than life itself? …
     Is it then blind obedience when we, with our limited vision, elementary knowledge, selfish desires, ulterior motives, and carnal urges, accept and follow the guidance and obey the commands of our loving Father who … created a world for us, loves us, and has planned a constructive program for us, wholly without ulterior motive, whose greatest joy and glory is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life” of all his children? [See Moses 1:39.]
     It is not blind obedience, even without total understanding, to follow a Father who has proved himself. (from Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball)

I know Him and love Him, and I will follow Him in faith.



Related posts: Walking by Faith with Both Feet (parts 1-2)