I’m not sure why I feel compelled to respond to this post, but I do. As a lifelong Christian who has no real experience of fundamentalist/evangelical Christianity I am always amazed at how far apart we can be in the understanding of what it means to be Christian.

I agree that faith is a tough concept. I don’t purport to understand it, and I’m not sure how much of it I have… it seems to have varied throughout my lifetime… but I’ve never seen it weaponized. I’ve never heard anyone’s faith questioned.

When I read your post, the definition of faith that St. Paul gives in Hebrews jumped into my mind. This is the St. Paul who is probably not St. Paul, but a more eloquent and poetic writer who’s letter was attributed to Paul. He or she writes:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

That’s from the RSV translation. I find that formulation of faith comforting and hopeful. I see no recrimination in it, though there is plenty in Paul.

Thanks for writing. You have put my mind to God, which happens sometimes.