Most of you have seen the posts and firestorm regarding some notable Christian figures that have expressed their doubts; some going as far as to say their faith has been deconstructed. It's unsettling. It's painful, not only to watch someone you respect renounce their faith, but also to see the damage it does to those already weak in faith. It's one thing to take the exit ramp. It's another thing to try and get someone to follow you when you're not even sure where you're headed.
In Luke 24, Peter hears as the women recount their visit to the empty tomb. According to Luke, the "words seemed to them like nonsense." They "did not believe the women." (Luke 24:11) But Peter still ran to the tomb, saw the clothes and departed, "wondering to himself what had happened." His faith was weak and his doubts were many. But he investigated and he wondered.
Doubts are real and because we haven't seen some realities first-hand we may have a lot of them. Suffering, the problem of evil, and mysteries of the Bible are unsettling. Doubts may strengthen and faith may weaken. But does that mean this can't be reversed?
Doubt and faith aren't mutually exclusive. When I deposit a check into my account at the bank, my faith is strong in that bank. But is there a hint of doubt? There may be 1% doubt that a certain payer may or may not be good for the check. Even in this, I may need reassurance sometimes. I may call and ask, "Did it clear?" That doesn't mean my faith has disappeared. It's just the creeping of doubt.
Timothy Keller is often quoted saying, "Learn to doubt your doubts." I think what he's saying is that doubt can rise or fall. Have you been shaken by reading Richard Dawkins or Sam Harris? Counter those doubts by reading the gospels along with the writings of William Lane Craig, Rebecca McLaughlin, Timothy Keller, C.S. Lewis. Those bright minds have walked through valleys of doubt and came out the other side with weaker doubts and stronger faith. You can too.
When doubt begins to dismantle your faith, don't just stand and watch. Don't roll over. Investigate. Wonder. Go to the tomb.
Prayer: Lord, I've heard the gospel. I hear the testimony of others. Sometimes my faith is weak. Help me. Forgive me. Although I wonder, may I be amazed and strengthened as I investigate.
