An Extrapolating Faith

Extrapolate (ek-strap'eh-late) v. 1. Mathematics. To estimate for values of the argument not used in the process of estimation; broadly, to infer (a value or values) from known values 2. To infer or estimate (unknown information) by extending or projecting known information.


It occured to me this morning that God calls us to have what I have labeled an "extrapolating faith."

Look back at the Israelites. They were slaves in Egypt. Moses appeared on the scene asking Pharoah to let the people go, and God brought ten different plagues to convince Pharoah that he was up against the supremely powerful God Almighty. In the last plague, God provided a way to ensure that the death angel would pass over Israelite houses, protecting their firstborns.

The Israelites were granted permission to leave (taking all sorts of riches with them) and arrived at the Red Sea where they realized that the Egyptian army was closing in on them. The Red Sea was on one side and the charging war-ready chariots on the other.

We find it easy to criticize the Israelites' lack of faith when they complain to Moses about their plight. We say that they have just seen God's power demonstrated in the plagues. Why weren't they able to faithfully rely on Him now? I think we are being pretty hard on them.

Think about it. The miracles they had seen did not include protection from a vicious group of warriors. They were in a position that required what I am calling "extrapolating faith." They had to remember what God had done in one set of circumstances and infer that He could act in this new circumstance.

The same is true in the new testament. The disciples saw Jesus heal the sick. They knew that He could make bodies well. Then one day when it was time for a meal, they couldn't figure out how to feed thousands of people. We chuckle knowingly at their dimness.

But what about Jesus healing people would cause the disciples to automatically jump to the idea that He would provide food on such a grand scale? I sympathize with them. He was calling them to see His power in healing circumstances and trust that his power would apply in other circumstances.

And isn't that what we are called to do? Each of us knows the Bible accounts of God's action. Each of us can recall the miracles in Biblical history. We are told to remember. To help us remember, God instituted memorials such as Passover, the ebenezer, the Lord's Table.

But we are called to more than remembrance. We are called to a higher faith than just trusting that He will do what He has done before. We are invited to extrapolate. We are encouraged to remember what God has done in those circumstances and infer that He will act in power in our own different circumstances.

It's not an easy leap. It isn't based on logic; it's a matter of faith -- Faith not just that He will do what He's done before, but faith that He will continue to astound us, finding paths where we see none and working solutions we discount as impossible.

We are called to see examples of His specific power and extrapolate an understanding of His unlimited power, examples of His specific acts of grace and extrapolate an understanding of His eternal, unbounded love, examples of His relationship with people in the Bible and extrapolate an expectation of the rich relationship He offers me.

An extrapolating faith.