There have been a number of times in my Christian life when I have struggled with doubt. I sometimes have dark moments when it occurs to me that none of it is true and that actually, there is no God at all - that we really are just meaningless collections of atoms.
What interests me is my reaction to that thought. Most often, I react with horror (isn't it an unpleasant thought?) and remind myself of things that have been proven to me about reality - the solid foundations of scripture, the questions that only belief in an almighty God answers and so on.
But sometimes, I react differently. Sometimes I give the thought a little more time at the table. I make it tea and have a nice long chat. I tell myself I'm just being honest about my doubts, and trying to work through those doubts. But actually, that's not what is happening at all.
I already know how to deal with the doubts. The actual motivating factor in my dalliance with doubt is that I am quite interested in the opportunity to indulge the sins that tempt me. Because, of course, once there is no God, there is no sin.
Which is precisely why any wholly committed atheist clings to his unbelief for dear life, because he knows that once there is an almighty creator God, there are claims to be answered. I know it too, and so does every post-modern Christian who makes doubt a virtue.
It's not, you know. It's just a cover for sin, and therefore a sin itself. Like other sins, it's not unforgivable or insurmountable, but it will not do to let it have more time being indulged because it happens to be a fashionable sin.
12/11/2007
The deception of doubt.
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9 comments:
For a Catholic, to 'counsel the doubtful' is one of the Spiritual works of mercy :¬)
I think doubt is to be acknowledged, but not entertained.
AR xx
I think we need another word to bring increasingly clarity to this topic.
I agree that doubt is difficult, and I think we would agree that serious doubt, particually arising from difficult circumstances needs to be worked through appropriatly, in the contact of a benevolent God. A fine balance between trusting blindly, and seeking a theology which accuratly helps us to understand God and the world where possible.
I wonder though whether part of what you mean when you talk about fashionable/pomo doubt, is about 'considered' faith.
I would certainly say you have a considered faith, I hope that I do too, even where it differs. Can we use this word to say that people are seeking a considered faith, and as part of that they are considering some of the doctrines of the church, including those which are held dear, but perhaps havn't always been.
I've always found these lead to strong faith, but feel different to me than the doubts you name, which I agree lead through a self-focused tunnel, rather than standing in the light of God.
Make any sense to you?
Steve
ps - Happy Christmas
Some good things to consider about doubt. Thanks for sharing.
Seems this side of heaven it ain't never going away.
May the Lord help ua all grow strong in our faith, so that we have less doubt to repent of. Amen.
There are lots of doubts that I struggle with. Like you said, the doubt that God exists is quite easily a sin, and does not need to be entertained. It's also fairly easy to beat, because I can go outside and look at the trees and know that I'm more than a collection of dust and atoms.
But there are other doubts that are more difficult to calm. Doubts about the inerrancy of Scripture, or about Reformed theology, or how far is too far when it comes to certain sins, or if I am really a Christian at all. I have little to do in those doubts but to seek counsel in the Scriptures themselves, and ask for the support of my Christian brothers and sisters.
To use Steve's terminology - considering our faith - making sure of what we believe, this is just wisdom.
If I have based my faith on just assenting to something someone else says, and the storms come and it gets severely wobbled, being unsure of my foundations is a good sign that I need to make my foundations sure!
In that specific sense, doubt can be a useful signpost to where we need to be shored up.
It's not a place to stop, and it would be wrong to suggest that it was a reason not to expect a conclusive answer, which is where I think the pomo gets this a little awry.
Realizing that I can't articulate why I believe in the inerrancy of scripture and therefore having a reason to doubt it, for example - this is a good thing to realize and act upon.
But the doubting the existence of God thing - I'm speaking from experience that when I entertain that doubt, it's sin, through and through, and there really isn't any suger-coating it, however much I might be able to argue that my reasons are plausible. And when it happens I certainly do, at which point I usually need a great big spiritual slap.
Sorry Libbie - seems I can comment!!
Love
Scotty
x
As regards "giving it table time", just letting any temptation be savoured for a little while is always all too easy and always all too attractive - but "Satan presents the bait , and hides the hook" (R. Brooks)
On a completely different matter, thanks so much for (a) Eden's lovely insights recently (Matt 21:16) - and the lovely "Custard moment" thing the other day. Think of it every time I make custard!
David
Ahhh, doubt. That troubling thing that plagues all of us from time to time. My biggest struggle with doubt is believing in the goodness of God.
Whew! It's a potent one when it pops us. (Thankfully, this happens less and less as I mature in Christ.) I have never doubted that He exists.
I have a list of scripture that I go through every time I face this doubt. It really does refocus me on what is truth, and what is my own flawed and incomplete human perspective.
Also, I have found it helps me to remember what I am actually doing--making accusations against God. I really don't want to be doing that!
Thankyou Hadassah, those are some really practical suggestions!
I've doubted His goodness before now. I recall saying, after losing a child, that if this was God's idea of good, I wasn't sure what the word meant anymore. Hard stuff.
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