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Wesley's View of Faith (4)

September 18, 2024

John Wesley, and other orthodox leaders know that the matter of faith was an issue to be clear about in the early days of the church. The book of James, a very early book in the New Testament corpus, deals with a view of faith that is shocking.

James tells his readers that devils believe and shudder (James 2:19). This is the verb form of faith and is the same term used throughout the New Testament for belief in Jesus. What then does this mean when James says that even devils believe?

Wesley (and others) know that faith must have notitia (know something) and assensus (agree with what one know) BUT one must also trust oneself to what one knows and agrees: fiducia.

Wesley and other orthodox teachers know that fiducia is an entrusting oneself to the leadership and guidance of the one believed or the truth believed. It could be said that fiducia is a personal responsiveness of obedience to the one believed or the truth believed. This is something that the devils never do.

REFLECT: How would you know if your faith has the feature of fiducia?