Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian Theology
Category 5: Spiritual vs. Physical Realities
1. Introduction
Christianity presents a radical call: to live not by what is visible and measurable, but by faith in what is unseen. As Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” This is paradoxical in a world that prizes tangible proof and sensory verification. To “walk” by faith means to conduct one’s entire life based on the promises, presence, and person of God—even when He cannot be seen or His purposes fully understood.
2. Scriptural Foundations
2.1 Faith Over Sight
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
- Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
- Romans 8:24 – “Hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”
2.2 Biblical Examples of Faith
- Abraham – “He went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8).
- Moses – “He endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27).
- Thomas – Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
3. Theological Meaning
- Faith is not blindness, but a spiritual orientation grounded in the trustworthiness of God,
- Sight can deceive; faith discerns divine reality beyond appearances,
- To walk by faith is to entrust one’s path to God’s word, promises, and character—even in uncertainty.
4. Paradox Explained
| Sight | Faith |
|---|---|
| Relies on senses and visible outcomes | Relies on God’s word and unseen realities |
| Requires evidence before action | Takes action because of spiritual conviction |
| Focuses on present and temporal things | Fixes eyes on eternal, future hope (2 Cor. 4:18) |
| Often leads to fear or doubt | Anchors the soul in assurance and peace (Heb. 6:19) |
5. Christ as the Object of Faith
- Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
- Though not seen physically now, Christ is the central focus of the believer’s vision,
- Faith in Christ transforms how one interprets suffering, success, purpose, and future.
6. Daily Walking by Faith
- Faith influences decisions (Proverbs 3:5–6),
- Faith sustains joy in trial (James 1:2–4),
- Faith anchors identity in God’s declaration, not circumstance (Galatians 2:20).
7. Challenges and Perseverance
- Faith walks through mystery, delay, and suffering without abandoning trust (Job 13:15),
- It resists the temptation to reduce reality to what is “seen” or immediate,
- The journey requires spiritual vision sharpened by the Word and guided by the Spirit.
8. The Eschatological Dimension
- One day, faith will become sight (1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 22:4),
- Until then, faith enables believers to anticipate and live for the invisible kingdom (Colossians 3:2–4),
- Walking by faith is a foretaste of the life to come, grounded in the resurrection of Christ.
9. Summary Table
| Christian Life by Sight | Christian Life by Faith |
|---|---|
| Seeks control and proof | Trusts in divine sovereignty |
| Requires full understanding to act | Obeys despite uncertainty |
| Anchored in circumstances | Anchored in God’s promises |
| Sees only the present moment | Anticipates future glory |
10. Conclusion
The Christian walk is not fuelled by physical evidence but by spiritual conviction, not by the seen but by the Sure and Invisible One. This paradox liberates believers from fear and short-termism. Walking by faith means being guided by eternal truths, even when temporal realities appear uncertain or dark. It is the essence of trust in a faithful God who sees the whole path—even when the traveller sees only the next step.
References
- The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)
- Calvin, J. Commentary on 2 Corinthians
- Augustine. On Faith and the Creed
- Bonhoeffer, D. Discipleship
- Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity
- Packer, J.I. Faithfulness and Holiness