Faith but not blind faith

 The Bible encourages faith, but not blind or unquestioning faith. It values seeking understanding and discerning truth, as seen in passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:21, which urges believers to "test everything, hold on to what is good". 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Faith as Trust, Not Blind Acceptance:

The Bible emphasizes faith as trust in God based on His character and promises, not simply accepting something without question. 

Seeking Understanding:

The Bible encourages believers to seek knowledge and understanding of God's Word and ways. 

Testing and Discernment:

Passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and 1 John 4:1 encourage believers to "test everything" and to discern between truth and falsehood. 

Examples in the Bible:

Thomas's Doubt: The story of Thomas, who initially doubted Jesus' resurrection, highlights the importance of seeking evidence and not blindly accepting everything. 

Paul's Defense: Paul, in 1 Peter 3:15, encourages believers to be prepared to defend their faith and explain the hope they have in Christ. 

Passages to Consider:

1 Thessalonians 5:21: "Test everything; hold on to what is good." 

1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." 

Proverbs 3:13: "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for it is better to seek wisdom than to seek silver, and to get understanding rather than gold."