Compare and Contrast (Greek-Faith vs. Hebrew-Emunah)

The Scriptures that we have were written by Israelites in an Israelite culture for their primary audience-Israelites.  When we read the scriptures it is easy for us to read them from a Western/Greek perspective.  As with any cross cultural and language exchange, a lot gets lost in translation or grossly misinterpreted. As a result our western minds create mystical and fantastic doctrines that in reality are light years removed from the authors original intent.

FAITH - EMUNAH

If I were the Adversary and I wanted to keep people walking in this awful veil of unbelief then I would go to great lengths to keep people from understanding and exercising faith in God (YHVH).   One prominent device used over and over again by the adversary is to change the definition of a word so that we lose its’ proper understanding and application.  The word faith in our modern society has taken on many different meanings. 

To have faith like the ancients requires that we understand the meaning of faith embraced by the ancients.  What did faith mean to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? What did the word mean do Daniel or Habakkuk when he said, “The just shall live by faith”?   What did this word mean to Alma, Mormon, and Moroni?

 In our religious culture Faith is usually perceived as a mental belief.  We hear phrases such as "you have to have faith" or "believe more" which leaves the believer almost dumbfounded as they try to figure out, "How do I believe more?"  The Hebrew word emunah is an action oriented word. To an Israelite having faith in God does not mean mentally believing that he exists or just acknowledging Jesus, but rather it is that the one with faith (emunah) will act with firmness, trust, and loyalty to God like a subject to a King or a Wife to her Husband.  

So with this in mind we can spin our wheels all day trying to figure out how to believe more in which case a hypnotist might do the job 

- OR-

We can view faith from an Israelite mindset and act in loyalty and firmness to God by carrying out his commandments and like the firmness of a pillar--steadfast and immovable-- that he is our King and our Savior.

Shalom