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Let’s do a thread about “faith.”
The word “faith” has several uses in Christianity.
The word “faith” has several uses in Christianity.
Faith can refer to that wonderful, beautiful, simple trust in Jesus— ‘saving faith.’ The faith that produces good works. The ‘faith that believes.’
Or in the Latin term it’s had for centuries, the “fides qua.”
Or in the Latin term it’s had for centuries, the “fides qua.”
Faith can also mean the teachings of the church— the ‘Christian faith.’ The faith we preach, teach and confess. Our doctrine. The ‘faith that is believed.’
Or, as it’s also been called for centuries, “fides quae.”
Or, as it’s also been called for centuries, “fides quae.”
Fides qua.
Fides quae.
There’s just one letter different between those two Latin phrases. But it’s a big difference. Quite literally, it can mean the difference between Heaven and Hell.
Fides quae.
There’s just one letter different between those two Latin phrases. But it’s a big difference. Quite literally, it can mean the difference between Heaven and Hell.
See, if the distinction between the fides qua and the fides quae gets minimized or blurred, we mess up what faith is, from Whom it comes, and worst of all—we risk putting faith in something other than Jesus.
Here’s how things can turn bad if “qua” and “quae” get confused:
Here’s how things can turn bad if “qua” and “quae” get confused:
First, we risk losing the rational foundation of the fides quae. If faith is just “qua,” then doctrinal differences seem arbitrary or even “mean.” If faith in Jesus is all that matters, then why bother reading Scripture or seeking truth?
But God gave man a brain; it is to be used. We use it both to confirm what God has revealed in Scripture, and to bound our exploration of the creation over which God has granted us dominion. If we ignore what God has revealed about himself, what “Jesus” do we have faith in?
Second, and likewise dangerously, we risk reducing the fides qua to a series of intellectual (or even anti-intellectual) legalisms. Christianity becomes little more than a cultural identity. “Faith” becomes my own work, that I do through my own study or feelings.
It’s easy to see how this leads one away from the orthodox, catholic faith—away from Jesus—and into heterodoxy:
“Don’t worry about doctrine; Rome will do that for you.”
“Faith comes when you’ve learned the perfect doctrine of Geneva; believe harder.”
“Don’t worry about doctrine; Rome will do that for you.”
“Faith comes when you’ve learned the perfect doctrine of Geneva; believe harder.”
Lest anyone mistake that last tweet as anti-Catholic or anti-Reformed, those places can be substituted for one another—or even Wittenberg!
The temptation to make the fides qua our own work is far from confined to any one denomination!
The temptation to make the fides qua our own work is far from confined to any one denomination!
Don’t let yourself fall off either side of the horse.
Profess the fides quae faith you have been taught by living and believing with the fides qua faith in Christ that was gifted to you by the Holy Spirit:
Profess the fides quae faith you have been taught by living and believing with the fides qua faith in Christ that was gifted to you by the Holy Spirit:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
