Faith as existential engagement

Abstract

This work is a theoretical dissertation on the nature of faith, in which it is argued that faith is existential engagement. Existential engagement involves interpersonal encounter and participatory personal concern with the issues of existence. As such, faith is relational, being characterised by trust, commitment. Traditionally, faith has usually been defined in terms of religion. In sharp contrast to this view, religion is here defined in terms of faith. Because of this, faith can not be confined to any or all of the various "recognisable religious traditions". In fact, it is asserted in this thesis that faith is, and always has been, a human universal. This thesis is comprised of four chapters. The first chapter is entitled "Relation And Existence", Here, the nature and significance of relation is explained and it is shown that existence arises out of, and is sustained by, relation. A special theory of human existence is developed in this chapter, which emphasises the fundamental place and importance of faith for the human condition. The second chapter is entitled "The Two Modes Of Faith: Immanent Engagement And Engagement With Transcendence". In this chapter, the writer, following Paul Tillich, defines faith in terms of ultimate concern. However, instead of deriving ultimate concern from Deuteronomy 6.5, as Tillich does, the present writer derives ultimate concern from Jesus' two-fold commandment of love. It is therefore maintained in this thesis, that faith has two interdependent modes. In the mode designated "immanent engagement", there is unmediated relation with other existents in the manner of Martin Buber's I-Thou relation. In the mode designated "engagement with transcendence", relation with transcendence is mediated and facilitated by a primary symbol. The understanding of symbol developed in this chapter, in the main follows the work of Paul Tillich. The third chapter is entitled "Faith And Knowledge". Here, there is an analysis of the English words "faith" and "belief", and it is shown that faith is not belief, as this word is understood today. Because faith is relational, the knowledge which arises out of relation is a co-subjective knowledge that must be distinguished from objective knowledge, which has detachment as its ideal. The fourth chapter is entitled "Stages In Faith". In this chapter, a schema of faith stage development, on both an individual and corporate scale, is given. This schema draws upon the classifications of heteronomy, autonomy and theonomy, utilised by Paul Tillich, and integrates these with other classifications peculiar to this thesis, which arise in the chapter, "Relation And Existence".