In the story of “Doubting Thomas,” we famously investigate belief. Which we so often chalk up to something we do. Or more specifically, something we agree to.

This, of course, undersells Thomas and belief.

In Christian tradition, the word belief does double duty. It is a verb and a noun. It is something you do and the thing to which you assent.

So a belief is often comparable to something. And to what someone else believes. We are given a set of beliefs by tradition, and the act of going along with them often defines what it means to believe.

Thomas gives us a different image, however. And one that is far more useful. He believes, not what the well-worn path of tradition has offered him, but what he sees. And he leaps. In an act of incalculable boldness. Which is something only he can do.