from the perspective of ancient philosophy, particularly plato's, pistis is classified in the realm of the cave (unenlightenment) to signify belief in mere opinion (doxa). while episteme (knowledge) refers to first-hand encounter of the object -- from shadows of actual objects to their reflections on water to the object itself, i.e., the SUN!
in theology, pistis is more important and higher than episteme. jesus said, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (pisteusantes = (yet) having believed, cf: biblehub.com)."
now, here's the compromise. through my exposure to protestant christians (particularly, evangelicals) and the infusion of pentecostal beliefs and practices in the catholic church through the charismatic movement, i saw how faith (pistis) becomes personal knowledge (episteme) in the personal testimonies of believers.
this was my prayer-challenge to the lord after i left the seminary. and he answered me definitively 9 years later through a charismatic catholic healer who healed me of my ankle pain on july 4, 1997, feast of st thomas the doubter / the twin to show me in concrete that he is god the healer (exodus 15:26).
then, pistis and episteme became one.
here's a quote from carl jung that reflects this (thanks to my friend-colleage choncho sanchez who first pointed this quote out to me):
"i only believe (pistis) what i know (episteme)."
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