In my understanding (and the understanding of several prominent theologians) of what "faith" means in Christianity, there is really no need for an absolute certitude (i.e. "I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am correct in saying 'Christianity is true.'"), there is only the need for (a) a knowledge (Notitia) of the Gospel, (b) an assent (Assensus) that the Gospel is true and (c) an act of faithfulness (Fiducia) to that assent.
For example, I do not have to have an absolute certitude that my office chair will hold me up when I sit on it. I could even watch as person after person sits in that chair, the chair holding them up, yet still I cannot be absolutely certain that the chair will hold me up. Perhaps there is a screw that has been about to fall out the whole time the others sit, but when I sit that screw will finally give and collapse under me. It is possible. There is always a first time. But should that lack of *complete* certitude keep me from sitting? No. That would be absurd and irrational to let such a slight possibility keep me from sitting down. In fact, I wouldn't even stop to consider such a possibility unless I was forced to stop and think about it--it's just not something that you do. It's silly. So I don't dwell on that. Rather, I believe it will hold me up, based on that belief I sit. In that act of sitting, I have acted out my complete faith and confidence in the chair that it will hold me up.
As I said, there is always the possibility (however unlikely) that the chair will break when I sit on it. However, my faith in the chair is not negated by my realization of that. I could be mistaken to place my faith in that chair because (a) I do not have an exhaustive knowledge of the chair (i.e. of the chairs engineering and if everything in the chair's engineering is in the right place and unbroken) and (b) I cannot see into the future of what will happen if I sit in the chair. But my faith is demonstrated and completed in the act of sitting. There is no need for absolute certitude; there is only the need for a confidence (assensus) that the chair will hold me up (noetitia) that provokes an act of faith (fiducia).
I think it is the same way with our faith in Christ. I am not omniscient, thus I cannot know with absolute certitude that the Gospel of Christ is true. However, based on my experience with the Spirit of Christ and from what I have learned in history and logic, the only proper response for me is to have a faith in Christ and the claims of His Gospel. Placing my confidence in Him, I aim to trust Him with my heart and my obedience. I have yet to be disappointed in my decision to place my faith in Christ, however that doesn't mean that I am not wrong to do so. The one and only way we can know for sure is when we die and are/are not resurrected. But in the meantime, what matters is not that I have an absolute certitude that Christianity is true. What matters is that I have the kind of confidence (assensus) in Christ that provokes act of Faith (fiducia).
I could be wrong, but it seems to me that any claim of "absolute certainty" would be roughly equivilent to the claim of being God--a claim of omniscience. This admittance of lack of absolute certainty is, I think, an appropriate recognition of humility before an infinite God.
...still pondering...
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