Daily Question Jan 28

Throughout our reading, Wilken examines why faith is unavoidable by using evidence from older pieces of writing that demonstrate the desire and need for faith in our lives. Wilken says that faith in unavoidable for humans because humans want an explanation for things, causing them to turn towards God and believe that he has done good in the world. As stated on page 165, humans want “to know the design of those things which we perceive to have been made by God”. This quote shows that humans have a desire for explanations about the origins of things and decide to believe in God to create meaning and explanation. Further, Wilken quotes Isaiah 7:9, “If you believe you will understand” demonstrating to humans that the world will become clearer if we have faith and believe in the power of God. This inner desire causes humans to have some form of faith within them, as faith is connected to understanding and believing. 

Wilken also explores why faith is beneficial to humans. Wilken shares that faith is beneficial to humans because it allows for us to grow in our knowledge. He writes “Faith is not only a matter of trust or confidence: it has to do with the knowledge that draws one deeper into what is known. It is like seeing a light” (184). This quote reveals that by having faith we receive benefits in the form of knowledge. By comparing our experience with faith to seeing a light, we get an idea that faith illuminates many things about our spiritual life and allows us to grow closer to God. Wilken stresses the importance of faith through this quote by showing us how faith is beneficial to individuals.