Faith is helpful, but is faith in Jesus better? Look at the evidence

This year staff and students have been considering “Faith; the better story.” As a central part of the BPL Framework, we have been consciously discussing and considering ‘faith in God.’ What faith is, the impact on every person who develops faith, how faith changes a person’s perception of their circumstances and how faith can affect our decision making.

The book of Hebrews in the Bible was one of the letters written to new Christians after Jesus had been on Earth. The writer lists a series of people from across centuries who lived by faith. This year I’ve investigated each of them and shared their stories at Primary Assemblies. Some of the people are easily recognisable and most would be familiar with their name and some of the high points of their life. While other names I didn’t recognise at all and had to go looking to see what they’d achieved as they lived “by faith.” Some would be regarded as “giants” (maybe “superstars”) of faith for what God did through them. However, reassuringly many are less well known and during their life definitely made mistakes. I encourage you to investigate these people for yourself and if you have any confusion or questions, feel free to get in touch with me or any of the College staff.

The most noticeable feature is that these people didn’t look at their circumstances in the way that most people would when facing the same situation. Most people would feel defeated or overwhelmed at facing an enormous challenge. However, these “heroes” respond differently, with confident faith, they took action and achieved memorable things. Faith in the one true God changed them and how they approached their circumstances. There are things we can learn from the “heroes of faith” about the big challenges we will face, but faith in God also impacts on everyday things.

On further research of the impact of faith, the conclusion of a paper titled ‘Effects of Religion and Faith on Mental Health’ (available through sciencedirect.com), shows that “religion is a significant factor in human’s Mental Health and overall well-being.”

There were positive impacts of religion or spirituality on emotions and happiness. Specifically for hope, optimism, meaning and purpose, self-esteem, and positive character traits. The paper also showed evidence that an absence of faith impacts negatively on depression, suicide, anxiety, as well as other social and relational aspects.

Positive impacts of faith
• Hope
• Optimism
• Meaning and purpose
• Self-esteem

Negative impacts of no faith
• Depression
• Suicide
• Anxiety

The studies that shaped this paper were mostly conducted in the US in Christian populations. Therefore it seems that:
“a. the kind of religion (based on love or on fear);
b. the image of God we hold (i.e. as a loving person vs. a punishing force) and
c. Several kinds of myths, symbols, pseudoscientific ideologies, pseudo-beliefs and magical rites and practices, interrelated and integrated to authentic religion beliefs (e.g. when ritualism replaces real faith, or symbols take the place of truly sacraments) 
seem to explain to a great [extent] the positive or negative influences of religion on mental health.”

Knowing that Jesus lived on Earth and defeated sin by dying for us before he rose again, should change how we view our circumstances. It does for me. We would love for each member of our College community to grow in faith in Jesus and we are ready to support each of you in discovering how to do it and what that can mean for you.

Colin Wood
Deputy principal