Faith is believing without evidence — that’s just gullibility.
The Devotional Answer
The devotional answer is that biblical faith is fundamentally trust built on relationship, not a blind leap into the dark. Think of the difference between trusting a stranger and trusting a loving parent.
You trust your parent not because you lack evidence, but because their history of love, protection, and faithfulness is the strongest evidence you possess.
Similarly, Christian faith is trusting the character of God based on what He has already demonstrated: creation (Question 65), prophecy, miracles, and supremely, the historical event of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Question 49).
To call this gullibility is to dismiss the vast, tangible evidence God has presented throughout history and in your own life. Faith is the moment you act on that evidence and commit yourself fully to the God who is true.
The Simple Answer
Biblical faith is the combination of evidence, assent, and trust (or reliance). It is not "believing things you know aren't true."
The definition often quoted in the Bible actually includes the concept of evidence:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” — Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Assurance (Greek: hypostasis) means a "substance," "foundation," or "title deed." It implies a legal, concrete reality.
Biblical Faith (Trust): Relying on the integrity of a person who has already proven themselves trustworthy. We trust God because the evidence—the Bible, history, and the changed lives of Christians—is compelling.
Gullibility (Blind Faith): Believing something purely on wishful thinking, without reason, supporting facts, or a reliable source. This is what the Christian faith rejects.
The Deeper Dive
The Christian faith is the most reasonable thing you can do, as it is based on the following forms of evidence:
1. Historical Evidence
The foundation of Christian faith rests on the historical life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Question 49). The Apostles preached that if the Resurrection did not happen, our faith is "useless" (1 Corinthians 15:14). This proves that Christianity demands historical fact, not mere mythological belief.
Scholars dedicate their lives to examining the historical, archaeological, and textual evidence for the New Testament, treating it as a legitimate historical claim.
2. Evidential Faith vs. Sight
When the Bible uses phrases like "seeing is believing," it is usually setting up a contrast with "walking by faith" (2 Corinthians 5:7). This contrast is not between evidence and no evidence, but between:
Sight: Believing something you can physically see right now (e.g., Jesus walking on water).
Faith: Believing what God has promised will come true, based on His proven track record, even though you cannot see the fulfillment yet (e.g., the resurrection of the dead).
The evidence is there; faith is the response of trust and commitment to that evidence.
3. Personal (Experiential) Evidence
For the new Christian, the most powerful evidence is often the one critics cannot deny: transformation (Question 81). The internal witness of the Holy Spirit (Question 66), the new life (Question 79), and the freedom from the power of sin (Question 22) are all powerful pieces of personal evidence that sustain faith, even when intellectual doubt arises.
God's Assurance
God assures you that seeking evidence for your faith is good and necessary, for He wants you to believe with both your mind and your heart.
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." — 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
You are assured that your faith is a well-founded hope that you can confidently share with others because God himself has provided the reasons.
Your Takeaway Thought
Do not let the world define your faith as "gullibility." Instead, define your faith as conviction and commitment based on the objective and historical reliability of Jesus Christ. Keep searching for evidence, keep asking questions (Question 85), and most importantly, keep walking in trust with the God who has already proven He is worthy of your reliance.
