Enchanted Faith

Reflections on Intellectual Assent, Living Faith, and Discipleship

Recently, in addition to contemplating The Inklings Option, my current focus revolves around matters of faith and discipleship. I believe that, in certain aspects, it aligns with my thoughts, although I anticipate delving into this connection at a later point. Until then, I will share some of what I have been thinking about with you all now.

Recent weeks have seen me immersed in contemplation regarding the disenchantment of faith. In contemporary contexts, faith often connotes belief in intellectual propositions, a concept traditionally labeled as "assent." For many of us, this manifests through affirmations such as:

• I believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

• I believe that Jesus died for my sins.

• I believe in the Creed.

Even more, in my neck of the woods — the Reformed Camp, we associate faith with knowing a lot of theology. Walk into my library, and you’ll find a whole row of Systematic and Dogmatic Theologies. You’ll find Aquinas, Calvin, Turretin, à Brakel, Bavinck, Berkhof, and even modern works like Horton, Grudem, and others. For a lot of us, coming from where I’m coming from, faith is knowing what you believe and why you believe it.

However, a notable observation I've made is that this intellectual approach doesn't align with the biblical definition of faith. Faith, according to the Scriptures, goes beyond merely knowing what you believe and why. To clarify, acknowledging the importance of understanding one's beliefs and reasons for them, such as affirming the Creed or recognizing Jesus as the Messiah who died for our sins, remains essential.

Yet, the Bible suggests that faith encompasses more than mere intellectual assent. It prompts us to explore a richer and deeper dimension of belief that surpasses a purely cognitive understanding.

^“14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. ²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. ²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” — James 2:14-26

In the Bible, faith is something that is embodied. It’s something that is worked out through deeds. It’s doesn’t just assent to knowing things — that’s the faith of demons, but rather assents and leads to fidelity. That’s the difference between demons and disciples — demons know the truth, but they’re unfaithful. It’s what makes them demons; they rebel against their telos. Disciples know, but by God’s quickening are faithful and submit to Him and are restored to their telos — which is to glorifying Him and to enjoy Him forever.

This same kind of thing is said by Jesus Himself in the Gospels. He says:

²⁴ “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” — Matthew 16:24

It's crucial to grasp that Jesus isn't engaging in word games or using the Law to dissuade people in a manner reminiscent of Ray Comfort. His communication is clear and direct.

To become a disciple of Jesus, one must relinquish their own path and follow Him. Faith in Him is dynamic and alive. A living faith involves repentance, following, and submission to Him as king.

Now, let me clarify, we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone. However, the faith bestowed by Christ is vibrant and vital. It is not a stagnant faith but one that actively follows Him as savior, rabbi, king, priest, and more. It transforms believers into followers, disciples, and apprentices to Him.

This is why the Gospel is termed "The Gospel of the Kingdom" and is paired with the directive to repent and believe (Matt. 4:23; Mark 1:14-15). The Gospel narrates an enchanting story of the Rightful King and His Kingdom breaking into history to mend what was shattered by sin and rebellion. In embodying the role of the Greater Adam, Jesus is fashioning a new humanity that operates in a different manner. By following His way, we are restored and become agents of restoration in the world — and by the Spirit of God, we become lawkeepers instead of lawbreakers.

Some may read this — especially being in the Reformed Camp and begin to shudder. Let me assure you, I am not advocating for “works righteousness” or “merited grace.” We cannot become righteous by our works; nor can grace be earned. What I am advocating for though is what the Bible advocates for, which is the kind of faith that God gives us is a living faith that produces works and makes us disciples that follow Christ. There can be no such thing as someone who is a convert but not a disciple.

I also want to note that this insight isn't new to me. I gleaned it from R.C. Sproul what feels like a lifetime ago, understanding that saving faith comprises three components:

1. Notitia

2. Assensus

3. Fiducia

During the Reformation and in contemporary times, faith has often been portrayed as a casual acceptance of truth. However, the Reformers recognized three fundamental elements of saving faith: notitia, assensus, and fiducia.

Faith inherently has an object — Jesus Christ. To believe in Jesus, one must first acquire knowledge about Him. This knowledge, known as the notitia of faith, is imparted through the teaching ministry of the church (Rom. 10:14–17).

Yet, possessing a body of knowledge is insufficient for saving faith. There must also be an affirmation of the truth within this knowledge. Many may have knowledge about Christianity but lack belief in its truth. Saving faith demands assensus, the conviction that the content of notitia is true.

Moreover, mere acknowledgment of facts and belief in their truth are inadequate to define us as Christians. Demons acknowledge the truth of God's words but do not trust Him (James 2:19). Fiducia—the entrusting of ourselves into the hands of Christ, the Living Truth—must be present for our justification.

Years ago, Dallas Willard said something about our modern moment that I think is very relevant to us now. He said this:

“The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples — students, apprentices, practitioners — of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.”

I couldn’t agree more. The issue of our day is if Christians will embrace the call to an enchanted faith, one that transcends the realm of mere intellectual assent and propels us into discipleship, following the footsteps of Jesus.

This should not be a journey confined to the pages of theology books or the echoes of ancient creeds; rather, it is an invitation to walk alongside the Rightful King in the enchanting narrative of the Gospel of the Kingdom. It beckons us to surrender our own paths, denying self, and taking up the cross, as articulated by Jesus Himself. This enchanted faith is not a passive acknowledgment but a living, breathing commitment that entails repentance, active following, and submission to the divine kingship. It mirrors the transformative journey of the Greater Adam, Jesus, who, through the Gospel, restores the broken and ushers in a new humanity. By embracing this enchanted faith, we become more than mere believers; we become disciples and apprentices, actively participating in the restoration narrative of the Rightful King and His Kingdom, glorifying Him, and finding joy in His eternal presence.

The Journey of discipleship is very much like the song recited by Bilbo in the Lord of the Rings when he leaves the Shire to set off to Rivendell. May we be people who are covered in the dust of our teacher, savior, and king — Jesus.

The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.