Hey Christian, what do you do when questions begin to mushroom into doubt? Is this a cause to starting running? Certainly, but not in the direction that you may think!
Read these words from “the Cardiologist” who provides some direction for today’s “doubting Thomas.”
A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it. People who blithely go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic. A person’s faith can collapse almost overnight if she has failed over the years to listen patiently to her own doubts, which should only be discarded after long reflection.
Believers should acknowledge and wrestle with doubts – not only their own but their friends’ and neighbours’. It is no longer sufficient to hold beliefs just because you inherited them. Only if you struggle long and hard with objections to your faith will you be able to provide grounds for your beliefs to skeptics, including yourself, that are plausible rather than ridiculous or offensive. And, just as important for our current situation, such a process will lead, even after you come to a position of strong faith, to respect and understand those who doubt.
Isn’t it true that very often we view doubt as something akin to the swine flu, which we want to keep as far away from as possible!
However, as Keller affirms, these times of challenge should be viewed of as compelling occasions for us to grow in the grace and knowledge of God.
Buy Keller’s, The Reason for God, and read more about more answered doubts in our cultural context that will help to grow and strengthen your faith, as you doubt your doubts!
Until Next Time
I am Jonny King
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