The blog concerned a letter from "Jacob," a 23-year-old struggling with his faith. Although he has been a Christian for 8 years, he finds himself questioning the very tenets of his belief. (You can find this blog here.)
How do you understand doubt? I think most of us would argue that doubt is not the absence of faith, but rather the necessary by-product of faith growing and changing. When we encounter something new or questionable, it must cause us to examine our faith. For instance...
- The earthquake in Haiti leaves us with questions of theodicy. If God is good, then why do people suffer? Pat Robertson argues that the earthquake was the result of God's judgment on the Haitian people (and their 18th century pact with the devil.) But are the answers so easy? Maybe it is judgment; maybe it is just the way the world works. Chaos won't be reigned in until God returns and sets things right. (By the way, look to tomorrow's blog for more information on Haiti.)
- The suffering of children
- Miracles in the Bible vs. a Scientific Worldview
- Building friendships with those of other religions
- Etc.
Socrates argued "The unexamined life isn't worth living." I would argue that unexamined faith isn't worth having. Paul puts it this way: "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." (1 Cor. 13:9-12).
Indeed, the people of Israel constantly had to wrestle with these questions (and others.) The very name, Israel, denotes "One who wrestles with God." Our lives should be the same.
So, the question remains: How do you understand doubt? Is doubt a bad thing? How does doubt help you grow?
2 comments:
Just a few scriptures on doubting, each with somewhat different contexts, but each of which need to be taken into consideration:
James 1:6-8 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Romans 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
Jude 1:22 And have mercy on those who are doubting
Thanks for more verses on the subject, Danny. I have never done a word study of the thought, but I have a few more to add:
Matthew 28:16-17 -- "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted..."
Mark 9:23-24 -- "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
Just food for thought. But I think doubts don't make us bad Christians, just honest ones.
I think of Mother Teresa, who seemed to spend years in darkness and doubt. Her diaries reflect her honesty, wondering why God felt so far away. Doubt is a natural part of faith, and should be embraced for the growth it brings...
By the way, Danny... How are you guys?
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