Seeing is Believing...

[Tone]

Hebrews chapter 11 is known as "the faith chapter". It describes the faith of various biblical characters, from Abel to the prophets. I counted 9 key phrases that involve "seeing" or "looking" and it is a forward looking into the future, e.g.:

verse 10 "...he was looking forward...";

Verse 13 "...saw them and welcomed them from a distance..."

Verse 26 "...he was looking ahead to his reward..."

And many other verses that allude to the future.

So today, I was pondering the nature of faith and the account of the woman who impressed the Messiah with her great faith came to mind:

Matthew 15:22-28

22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.

25 The woman came and knelt before him.“Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith!"

And it seemed to me that these people had vivid imaginations and they were able to image forth a solution to a present problem or dilemma.

So I want to discuss the relationship between faith and imagination...are they the same thing?

 

[eleos1954]

Hebrews chapter 11 is known as "the faith chapter". It describes the faith of various biblical characters, from Abel to the prophets. I counted 9 key phrases that involve "seeing" or "looking" and it is a forward looking into the future, e.g.:

verse 10 "...he was looking forward...";

Verse 13 "...saw them and welcomed them from a distance..."

Verse 26 "...he was looking ahead to his reward..."

And many other verses that allude to the future.

So today, I was pondering the nature of faith and the account of the woman who impressed the Messiah with her great faith came to mind:

Matthew 15:22-28

22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.

25 The woman came and knelt before him.“Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith!"

And it seemed to me that these people had vivid imaginations and they were able to image forth a solution to a present problem or dilemma.

So I want to discuss the relationship between faith and imagination...are they the same thing?

What is your definition of imagination?

 

[Tone]

What is your definition of imagination?

The typical definition...inner vision...or mind's eye...:

"Imagination, not being limited to the acquisition of exact knowledge by the requirements of practical necessity is largely free from objective restraints. The ability to imagine one's self in another person's place is very important to social relations and understanding. Albert Einstein said, "Imagination ... is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
--from Wiki

 

[eleos1954]

The typical definition...inner vision...or mind's eye...:

"Imagination, not being limited to the acquisition of exact knowledge by the requirements of practical necessity is largely free from objective restraints. The ability to imagine one's self in another person's place is very important to social relations and understanding. Albert Einstein said, "Imagination ... is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
--from Wiki

Is imagination true ... or what one "thinks" is true?

 

[Tone]

Is imagination true ... or what one "thinks" is true?

Imagination is a tool that one may use to reach forward despite being in a difficult moment. Of course, like all tools, it can be put to good or bad use. In the case of the caananite woman, she took the Messiah's illustration and put herself in the role of a dog, using her imagination, and was rewarded.

 

[John Bowen]

Yes vision is very important ."When Jesus healed people he asked them " Believest thou I have the power to heal you " if they could imagine their bodies could be healed they were.

 

[1213]

..
So I want to discuss the relationship between faith and imagination...are they the same thing?

I have understood faith is more like trust and loyalty to God. Noah trusted and was loyal (faithful) to God, like many other people who have been counted righteous.

 

[eleos1954]

Imagination is a tool that one may use to reach forward despite being in a difficult moment. Of course, like all tools, it can be put to good or bad use. In the case of the caananite woman, she took the Messiah's illustration and put herself in the role of a dog, using her imagination, and was rewarded.

Did she "image" herself as a dog (in the physical sense? No) ... it was an analogy .. a comparison

 

[Tone]

I think she mustered all her experiential knowledge to understand the situation illustrated by Yahshua and instead of being offended by being compared (as you say) to a dog, she put a positive spin on it. It shows that she had a humble heart...she didn't assume He was speaking about vicious/wild dogs that could threaten the children, but cast herself in the role of a humble family pet...a part of the family.

 

[Tone]

I have understood faith is more like trust and loyalty to God. Noah trusted and was loyal (faithful) to God, like many other people who have been counted righteous.

People give trust and loyalty as a result of having already seen something fulfilled in the future. Noah probably had some vision (mental imagery) of a flooded earth, which moved him to build the ark.

*The fact that no one had ever seen rain before (so I'm told) made it that much more of an accomplishment.