You’re caught in a blinding blizzard and you reach the edge of a cliff. The way back is death. The way forward is unknowable. And so you leap, hoping—without evidence—that you will land on something, rather than plunge into the abyss.
To many people, this is what the term “leap of faith,” coined by Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, means. And it’s why many apologists (defenders of rational faith) dislike the term. Nevertheless, I find myself returning to it again and again. Not only because it viscerally describes my original “leap,” but because, as a hysterical skeptic prone to bouts of emotional disbelief, fearing that what I believe is simply too wonderful to be true, I frequently leap again.
But is it rational? The influential 20th century theologian Francis Schaeffer disliked the term. And yet his very reason for disliking it, I believe, redeems it. The rational believer, Schaeffer argues, makes a leap that looks more like this:
Caught in a blizzard, you reach the edge of a cliff. But while the way forward is un-seeable, it is not unknowable. Because through the dense fog a seasoned Mountaineer calls out to you, assuring you that a ledge is within reach. If you jump, he says, you will be saved. You trust him because he offers evidence that he is who he says he is. Thus your leap is rational, and the way back is, after all, death–so you leap.
There are two kinds of evidence: the first is empirical, that which can be observed with the senses; the second is testimony, i.e. witnesses, the type of evidence the legal system depends upon. The more witnesses, the better. But of even greater importance is the quality of the witnesses. Forty-eight years ago, I began reading the New Testament and found within in its pages witnesses (Peter, Paul, James, John, et al) of great character. Their wisdom and humility were profound. And yet each of them deferred to an even greater witness, the Mountaineer who’d called them to leap. The Mountaineer’s own words and character burned a hole in my skeptical heart, causing his light and life to pour in.
And so I leaped.
I have never regretted it. Because it wasn’t just a leap of faith, it was a leap of life, a leap away from the death that lay behind — and forward toward the life of hope, purpose, and love…
That lay ahead.
Oh my goodness! Thank you for sharing this beautiful perspective. I’ve recently felt the need to focus on what Jesus actually did, said, taught. I needed this reminder as to why. ☺️
I’m so glad it spoke to you, Kelley.
I’m so thankful his words and character burned that hole in your skeptical heart!
Me too, dear friend!
I love this depiction. It explains so much of what I’ve experienced in my life. I took a similar leap at the urging of my late husband and of God, I’m convinced. He put Dan in my life at a particularly volatile time, following a failed marriage and subsequent abusive relationship. When I realized there was a greater force at work, I took the leap and returned to my faith. I could not have survived Dan’s illness and passing, if not for my faith.
God knows what He’s doing.
He does indeed, Sandy. I loved reading (here and in your Beta Reader comments) about the way God has worked in your life.
Beautiful!
It sounds like you are drawing a distinction between a “Leap of trust” (becuase of Whom you believe) versus a “Leap of desperation” (because you have no better alternative).
Good way to put it, Ernie.
Inspiring, stirring, thoughtul and full of Truth, Mitch.
Thanks, Bob. It’s a journey I know you too have taken.
Yes I relate, thank you for your encouragement.
My privilege, Morag.
I’ve always been a fan of the leap of faith.
Loved it!
Mitch- Thank you for sharing this. You might recall that I’m working on a project about people’s personal testimonies. This is as good as anyone I’ve read in a a long time.
Blessings on you and yours, my Brother!
Thank you, and likewise, brother. Unfortunately, WordPress identifies you as Anonymous.
Love reading it, especially the last lines💕👍
Leap of faith would describe our life. We have served in two countries, not back in the states. Moved several times each a step of faith. People ask us all the time what made you decide to do this or that. Was you afraid with each leap…my answer is yes but it does get easier after a couple times. If I believed there is only one place to leap to serve the Lord it might make a difference but God is so gracious that He would use us anywhere. Our last leap was way up north in northern Mn…short summers, beautiful falls and brutal winter. Sometime in the middle of being shut in from icy roads and snow falling we so question if we did the right t hing. We had several choices…but this is where our daughter lives with her family and she will be our care given as we age and they redid an old hunters cabin for us. Being next door to our daughter has made that leap of faith delightful and we are not regretting it. Our big leap of faith is coming closer then we like to think about, age is happening faster then we want but soon and very soon we are going to meet the King. Great post.
Thank you, my friend.
Love this article Mitch!
Like you I’ve taken many leaps of faith. Some leaps were unknown and heck, I didn’t even think of what the consequences could of been. I just leaped…lol!
Paul faced some challenging things however he wasn’t alone
I thank God every day that He is with me.
Keep on leaping in faith friend, I believe you will discover amazing things.
Thank you. Unfortunately, WordPress has labelled you here as Anonymous.
Those amazing things will include things that God put in you that you may not have discovered yet.
On one level, I didn’t like “leap” of faith because I was certain that Jesus was calling me, so it wasn’t a blind leap. I knew Who was calling. However, it’s not enough to just know He’s there, you have to respond. At first, I thought maybe we should call it a step of faith, but the magnitude of the change calls for the stronger term. For me, it wasn’t a leap into the unknown of hoping He’s there (although maybe a little), it was a recognition that this would profoundly change everything. The unknown for me was not the Who, but what happens next. I leaped away from everything I knew into something completely new because of Him. At some point, at many points, you have to just let go and throw yourself into it.
I so appreciate your perspective, my friend (WordPress labels you Anonymous).
I didn’t mean to be anonymous. I didn’t fill something out right. But since I’m responding again:
Something else about leaps of faith just occurred to me. Faith builds on itself. If you keep stepping off into the the unknown out of trust in God, you keep getting rewarded, Then, your steps or leaps of faith become easier because all of the past ones were such good experiences. Sometimes you don’t see them as leaps at all because it is a way of life.
Allen
I wholeheartedly agree, Allen (as in Weingartner?).
Yes, Weingartner. Hi
A strong and memorable analogy, Mitch. I too took the leap of LIFE years ago and have never regretted it. Without the Mountaineer, I’d never have made it over the challenging peaks and through the dark valleys of life. He has been my reliable source of wisdom, guidance, strength, peace, and more!
And it shows, Nancy.
My New Testament professor in seminary used to say, “Faith is taking the leap and finding God catching you.” Always, I’ve been caught.
Love the quote, Shirley.
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For me it was not a leap but a reconigtion. I grew up with a grandmpother whosse faith was evident to me every day. So early on I stepped in with her. I still occasionally freak out and think ti can’t be true but deep within me I know that it is. I wish I never slipped away but at 83 it sill happens. I actually need the times that things are troubling because I turn to God and I can feel myself being held in love.
I have loved the Indiana Jones movie where he steps out in faith to discover there is a walk there.
‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.’ I love that scene too!
Truly beautiful perspective! Thanks for sharing, touches the heart!
My privilege, Peggy.