Eight Foundations
- Brad Irons
- Nov 13, 2022
- 4 min read
What materials are we using to build our lives on the solid rock of Christ Jesus?
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:8-10 (English Standard Version)
Rock and Roll
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" - Psalm 11:4
Crash!
The water rushed in as the walls caved all around him. The mahogany coffee table floated past the soaking wet brown leather couch, where Martin perched, trying to avoid the flood tearing through his new home.
As liquid seeped through exterior brick and stained the interior sheetrock, he couldn't help but remember the childhood story of the three little pigs. Like the smartest of the swine, Martin had invested in strong wall materials to protect him from the wind. He had even installed strong storm windows to watch for hungry wolves safely.
However, once the ground began shifting and the wind started howling, Martin realized he had made a fatal miscalculation.
He had forgotten to focus on the foundations.
He had built his solid house on a sandy floor. When the storm rolled in, it undermined the structural integrity and left him clinging to floating furniture.
He only had a few moments to ponder his predicament before the entire structure rocked and rolled into the sea. Martin could only watch helplessly as the ceiling suddenly slammed into the floor.
A Place To Stand
In this world of shifting sand and moral relativity, belief seems unbelievable.
Belief in God and the Bible may seem unbelievable in this world of shifting sand and moral relativity.
Modern "new atheists" like Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens attack the reasonableness of faith and religion. Hitchens once said, “Faith is the surrender of the mind, it's the surrender of reason, it's the surrender of the only thing that makes us different from other animals..."
And maybe that's what you think as well. Blind faith doesn't need to see to believe.
However, faith is not blind. Believing with our eyes closed is like building a house on sand. It will shift with the wind and not stand the storms of doubt and discouragement.
Throughout history, Christianity has had its detractors. However, many defenders have reminded us that true faith stands on a solid foundation. Even in this generation, God has men like Lee Strobel, Timothy Keller, and Gary Habermas ready to defend the Scriptures and the Christian faith on the front lines.
So, What's the Problem?
"Is Christianity dying? Yes, but will that be the end of Christianity? No, simply because death and resurrection are our Lord’s specialty!" - Michael F. Bird, Word from the Bird
In 2019, research from George Barna, founder of the Barna Group, which specializes in analyzing religious beliefs and behaviors in America, showed that only 10% have "resilient faith."
"Resilient disciples are Christians who (1) attend church at least monthly and engage with their church more than just attending worship services; (2) trust firmly in the authority of the Bible; (3) are committed to Jesus personally and affirm he was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death; and (4) express desire to transform the broader society as an outcome of their faith."
How can a generation of believers surrounded by a glut of faith defenders offline and well-produced podcasts by online influencers like Mike Winger and Red Pen Logic have such a low level of belief?
Why are some people walking away from their faith and embracing modern deconstructionism, rethinking their faith, rejecting their religious heritage, and refusing to identify with Christianity in any form?
How can people of faith have so little faith?
Paul writes, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." – Romans 10:17
At Foundations of the Faith, we believe that some modern Christians may not truly understand their faith: the what or why of their belief.
Like the man in the story above, some religious institutions and individuals focus on solidifying the external walls (such as social justice, music, physical structures, and public persona). At the same time, solid doctrine and training foundations are left untended, unexplained, and even ignored.
Messages about faith may forget to focus on the Author and Finisher of that faith (Heb. 12:2). We have built our houses of faith on the sands of experience and emotionalism rather than the solid rock of Christ and His word.
Foundations of the Faith wants to provide online resources that communicate fundamental biblical doctrines and strengthen a believer's sound doctrine from the word of God.
Eight Foundational Beliefs
Over the next few weeks, I will publish a few short blogs covering eight foundational doctrines using Ephesians 2:8-10 as my key verse. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:8-10). As listed on the website (www.foundationsofthefaith.com), they are:
Grace: "For by Grace…"
Salvation: “…you have been saved….”
Faith: “…through faith….”
Justified: "And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Jesus/God: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus..."
The Church: "for good works…."
The Scripture: "...which God prepared beforehand…."
Christian Living: "...that we should walk in them."
Join me over the next eight weeks as we tackle and clarify each of these concepts, allowing you to grasp the truth behind them and strengthen the foundation of your faith!
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