What is faith?

The answer to this question might seem obvious: believing in the existence of God. A better response, however, is more multidimensional and personal.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI emphasized the importance of faith, calling out "the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ." Now, you are invited to rediscover the power of our Christian faith with Scripture expert Fr. Felix Just, SJ.

For Christians, faith involves both what one believes and whom one believes (God the Father and Jesus Christ, in whom we place our trust). Thus, faith is not only something we can learn and teach but, more importantly, something that we must put into practice and action-in worship, ethical living, charity, and prayer.

We will begin by considering the various meanings of faith and believing. After exploring the biblical foundations of faith, we will survey how the church further defined and lived the Christian faith over the past 2,000 years, especially in its councils, creeds, and catechisms. Finally, we will consider how growing in faith is a lifelong process, both in continued learning about our faith and in ever deepening our trusting relationship with God.

Embark on this remarkable journey through our Christian faith, and grow stronger in your relationship with God today.

Cover art: "Celebration", by John August Swanson. Copyright ©1997. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

This course is part of the Learn25 collection and includes a free PDF study guide.