Faith of Our Fathers: Biblical Faith by Howard Hendricks

WDAC Radio Company | December 12, 2025
Park Street Church

Episode Overview

This episode features the renowned 20th-century teacher and Dallas Theological Seminary professor Howard Hendricks. He explores the nature of biblical faith, using Hebrews 11:7 and the life of Noah as a central text. Hendricks dissects faith into intellectual, emotional, and volitional components, discusses the impact of real faith on the believer’s family, society, and self, and offers memorable illustrations and stories drawn from personal experience and scripture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Biographical Nature of the Bible (01:53–02:46)

• Hendricks opens by highlighting that Scripture is deeply biographical, filled with stories meant to teach spiritual truths in the context of real lives.
  • “It’s quite obvious to an even casual reader…its pages are pervaded with personality. And there’s a reason for that. The Holy Spirit loves to teach truth in terms of life.” (01:55–02:11)
  • He emphasizes that when God communicated with mankind, He “became flesh and pitched his tent among us” (02:41).

2. Hebrews 11: The Westminster Abbey of the New Testament (03:00–03:53)

• The “by faith” formula is repeated with figures like Abel, Enoch, and Noah.
  • Faith worships (Abel)
  • Faith walks (Enoch)
  • Faith works (Noah)

3. A Peephole into Noah’s Faith (04:19–05:24)

• Hendricks likens Hebrews 11:7 to a peephole offering a concentrated view of Noah’s life—a compact but comprehensive demonstration of faith.

The Three Essentials of Biblical Faith

A. Intellectual Component (05:37–11:02)

• Christianity is frequently caricatured as “non-thinking,” but biblical faith is profoundly intellectual:
  • “You don’t have to commit intellectual suicide to be a believer…” (06:47–06:50)
  • Faith includes “an intellectual component. The text says by faith, Noah being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet…” (05:37)
• The mind is the “controlling center of human personality,” linked either with God or Satan (07:19–07:55).
• Faith is grounded in fact—“not simply human fact...it also embraces divine fact” (08:13–08:47).
• Cites Martin Luther: “I cannot, for my mind is captured by Scripture and right reason” (08:53–09:17).
• Reason must bow before revelation (09:39–09:48).
  • Analogy of freedom and law: “True, freedom always has fences. You want to jump out that window, be my guest. But once you're outside, you're no longer free…” (10:23–11:02)

Notable Quote:
“God has spoken and he has not stuttered. And my friend, if you want to go to heaven…you’re going to have to go his way.” (09:57–10:13)

B. Emotional Component (15:53–20:26)

• True faith stirs the heart; “Noah was moved with godly fear.” (15:53)
• Hendricks distinguishes between healthy emotion (God-given) and emotionalism (emotion out of control):
  • “No, my friends, you do not deny emotion. Nor do you rely upon emotion.” (16:44–16:54)
  • “Most people think to be spiritual means to be miserable...Jesus Christ said, I am come that they might have life. I mean really live.” (17:25–18:35)
• Godly fear leads to deeper commitment, not running from God:
  • “Godly fear never produces an individual who runs from God. It produces an individual who throws himself into the hands of God.” (18:54–19:06)

Notable Quote:
“When you know who it is that died and what it is that he did and what it is that you deserve, then you sing from your heart, ‘If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now’...” (20:01–20:10)

C. Volitional/Actional Component (20:26–23:05)

• Faith always acts: “The text says he prepared an ark. He did something. Faith…is never passive. It's always active.” (20:26–21:08)
• Illustration: Knowing about a cure for a disease is worthless unless you submit yourself to the treatment. The same is true for faith in Christ. (21:08–22:20)

Notable Quote:
“God’s not asking you simply to believe a set of intellectual facts...He’s asking you to commit your life to that person, to stretch yourself out on Him.” (22:20–23:05)

The Effects of Genuine Faith

1. Impact on Family (23:32–29:31)

• Noah’s first result: “to the saving of his own household” (wife, sons, and their wives).
  • “You show me a person who has an impact upon his family and I’ll show you a person who has the real disease [of faith].” (24:21–24:48)
• Application to modern Christians: Does your faith make a difference at home?
• Story: Young woman at University of Illinois returns home, her faith transforms her sisters, mother, and (after a family tragedy) her father (25:44–28:45).

Notable Quote:
“I can’t think of anything more tragic than arriving in heaven only to discover that my four children were not there because…they never saw anything different enough in my life to create a hunger and thirst for that reality.” (28:45–29:06)

2. Impact on Society (29:31–31:47)

• Noah “condemned the world” by his consistent life—even if results seem lacking by worldly standards.
  • “God is holding you accountable, my friend, for being a faithful servant, not for being successful. The results are primarily his responsibility.” (30:02–30:11)
• Christians as salt of the earth—are you a “preserving force” in your environment? (30:23–31:18)

3. Impact on Self (31:47–36:19)

• Noah “became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (31:47–32:09)
  • Only God can provide the righteousness He requires.
  • Invitation to the audience: exchange your sinfulness for Christ’s righteousness (32:09–33:49).
• Story: Dallas Cowboy comes to faith not because of words but “the life of a man”—the example of John Niland (34:20–35:47).

Notable Quote:
“Would anybody watching you up real close say, ‘That’s what I gotta have’? That’s reality. That’s, my friend, the name of the game. That’s what faith is all about. To bring you to Christ and give you his righteousness…so that people all around you…may see Him incarnate in you.” (35:47–36:19)

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• Peephole texts and the baseball analogy: (04:19–05:24)
• “You don’t have to commit intellectual suicide…” (06:47–06:50)
• Martin Luther’s stand at the Diet of Worms: (08:47–09:17)
• Freedom and fences analogy from the 12th floor: (10:23–11:20)
• The “cut it out” view of God: (17:25–18:35)
• University of Illinois testimony story: (25:44–28:45)
• Dallas Cowboy story: (34:20–35:47)
• “Would anybody watching you up real close say, ‘That’s what I gotta have’?” (35:47–36:19)

Conclusion & Tone

Howard Hendricks delivers a thoughtful, personal, and practical exploration of biblical faith. He challenges listeners to move from a merely intellectual understanding to an impactful, lived-out faith that shapes family, influences society, and transforms the individual. The tone is both encouraging and convicting, peppered with warm humor, vivid illustrations, and earnest passion for real spiritual transformation.

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening Context and Hebrews 11 Introduction: 00:58–03:47
• Peephole Texts & Faith Components: 04:19–15:00
• Essentials of Faith—Intellectual: 05:37–15:53
• Essentials of Faith—Emotional: 15:53–20:26
• Essentials of Faith—Volitional/Actional: 20:26–23:05
• Effects of Faith: Family: 23:32–29:31
• Effects of Faith: Society: 29:31–31:47
• Effects of Faith: Self: 31:47–36:19
• Closing Prayer: 36:19–38:14

Summary prepared for listeners seeking in-depth understanding and inspiration from Howard Hendricks’ classic preaching on the reality and outworking of biblical faith.