By faith alone?

Well, Jeff asked for it, so here it comes!

What is faith? I think we can all agree that it roughly amounts to believing in something greater than ourselves, and ideally something greater than human understanding can truly grasp, without sufficient evidence.

What is the role of faith? I honestly believe that morality in part stems from faith - believing in something greater than us, and in the interconnectedness we all share through that, seems to promote more righteous behavior. Beyond that, I also believe it leads to inner fulfillment and self actualization.

Faith does not, however, solve problems by itself. Believing in something doesn't make it happen. Likewise, prayer, wishes, and trust in God alone doesn't get anything done. This brings me to the quagmire of today's posting, as scripture does not wholly support my point of view. Allow me to make a few sample arguments on each side, adapted from Judeo-Christian scripture:

Faith alone:

• "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength..." [Jeremiah 17:5 NIV]
• "He who trusts in himself is a fool..." [Proverbs 28:26, NIV]

"God helps those who help themselves" (anon.):

• "...faith without deeds is dead..." [James 2:26, NIV]
• "...walk in his ways..." [Deuteronomy 28:9, NIV]
• "My legs were praying." (Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel)

Please add more examples, especially from other scriptural and learned sources!
To be fair, James was speaking about acts of righteousness and lovingkindness specifically, as outwardly manifestations of faith, and the Deuteronomy passage is referring specifically to following God's commandments. However, allow me some rabbinic license, if you will. First off, the message is clear - have faith in God. However, also clear is the message that we must ACT in a ways consistent with God's law and teachings. God teaches that we must not stand idle, that we must help our neighbor, and that we must go out and be righteous. If we are to imitate God as one of the highest commandments, then in fact we MUST act, as prayer to God for action would then require emulation by ourselves.

As a second argument, allow me to cite that all-powerful entities, in the form of God, collective human consciousness, etc., exist in part through humanity. As such, when we act, we are doing God's work!

Finally, I cite one of the most powerful arguments I feel is at my disposal - reality. If you don't get up and do something for yourself, it is very rare that it gets done for you, and almost never does it happen by miraculous intervention.