Faith of a Daredevil

I have always had an affinity for comic books and superheroes. I grew up enjoying Batman, Wolverine, and Spiderman; however, one superhero always peaked my interest.

This superhero is Daredevil [a.k.a “The Man Without Fear].

Daredevil is a lawyer during the day and a vigilante who suffered a chemical eye injury when younger by night. But instead of allowing this ‘disability’ to restrain him, he soon learns it actually enhanced his ability to deliver justice. As a lawyer, he could hear heart beats and clues. Additionally, as a superhero, he had increased agility, abilities, and proprioception.

There is science backing this.

When one sense is lost, the brain rewires in order to enhance other senses so that individuals can still be efficient and thrive. The brain is considered plastic. It is always changing, developing pathways, and improvising. This phenomenon are known as “supersensory.”

Daredevil could not see, but he was far from blind. Perhaps, Christians have much to learn from Daredevil. “Walking by faith, not by sight” does not mean “blind faith/leap of faith.”

Growing up, I was always taught that Christianity is one continuous cycle of ordered “leaps of faith.” You must have, blind faith in spiritual leaders and decisions. In a sense, no better than “name it, claim it” theology.

The term “leap of faith” was originally coined by a Danish philosopher named Soren Kierkegaard, although it was originally titled a “qualitative step of faith.” He defined it as, “to believe in something or someone based on faith rather than evidence; an attempt to achieve something that has little chance of success.”

It traveled fast in Christian circles and the problem is, people began interpreting Scripture off of a human idea, instead of Scripture itself. Another issue is that it was convenient to build churches, press big decisions, and for relationship advice.

But walking by faith, is not blind. If it were blind, we’d be in the right mind to worship any and everything including nature, Buddha, Muhammed, etc. Blind faith is watered down universalism

God has given us ample evidence.

He has given us nature, His Law, mercy, grace, the Bible, and most importantly, His Son incarnate, Jesus Christ.

Lack of sight, does not mean blind. We must depend on more than what we see, and start depending on what the ear has heard. As a matter of fact, “Faith comes by hearing, not by sight.”

Romans 10:14-17 reads,

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Word of God is our evidence. Matter of fact, we are Christians because of the evidence. The Apostles preached by accounts of what they had seen and known to be true. Many Biblical letters began by discussing what was seen (e.g. 1 John 1).

Paul encourages a search for that which is real, according to Scriptural standards of course; “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

In the Bible, accusations were not to be made by “blind faith,” the Bible always require at least 2-3 witnesses before verdicts were passed. Hopefully our court systems functions in the same way.

Deuteronomy 19:15 states, “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”

But Biblical evidence shows that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. We live by evidence of a changed life and faith has evidence (Hebrews 11:1). But it is also evidence; of two things:

The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Both of these things being well evidenced in God’s Word.

So you too can trust what you hear and live with the faith of daredevils.