Where does Paul's statement that we are to believe God as Abraham did lead us in Scripture?
Paul's statement that believers are to believe God as Abraham did directs us first to Romans chapter 4, then all the way back to Genesis. This progression shows Scripture is a progressive revelation: Old Testament truth is not discarded but built upon, and the earlier foundation is reconstructed from the top down.
Les explains the difference between believing in God and believing God. To believe in God is what the multitudes around the world do; if it is not the true God, they are believing in some God. But to believe God is faith, because when we believe God, we take Him at His Word and exercise faith, which is what He is looking for. When Paul says in Galatians that we are to believe God as Abraham did, that sends us back first to Romans chapter 4, and then all the way back to Genesis to see how all of this has been building. Les teaches that the Bible is a progressive revelation: what was built in the Old Testament has not been thrown aside, but built upon. They will reconstruct that from the top down instead of from the bottom up, starting at Romans chapter 4 verse 1, comparing Scripture with Scripture.