I’m not into fussing over words, but when a particular word is misused to promote an unscriptural idea it ought to be corrected. The word “now” — as in Hebrews 11:1 — “Now faith is…” does not mean “now” in the present time. The fact that some of the best known preachers in the USA have used it that way doesn’t mean they are right.
“Now” can mean “at this point in time” but it can also be used as a preliminary to more that’s about to be said on the subject. As in: “Now what was said of them could also be said of us.” The present time doesn’t come into it. Hebrews 11:1 is not about time. This is not an English or NT Greek lesson, and I do believe, along with most other Christians, that faith works “in the now” — in the present.
It’s easy to believe that God will do a thing in the future — to expect Him to do it sometime, rather than to believe that He will do it right now. When Jesus said, “This day, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21), he was telling his listeners that a well-known Bible promise had arrived—suddenly and unexpectedly!
“Now, where shall we go?” This question does not refer to time in an immediate sense but a change of subject.
But don’t just accept what I’m saying, but rather look up “now” in your English and NT Greek dictionary! And don’t forget to look up the last few verses in Hebrews 10, in which faith is the writer’s subject. We should all have a “now” expectancy — it’s just that we should not base it on a word that does not refer to the present time but rather a change in thought.
Still friends? I hope so.