Doubt and Belief
Christians have just celebrated the events of Easter - the death of Jesus and his rising again to new life. One person said to me after Easter, “I can’t be a Christian. I‘d like to believe, but what you claim is impossible.” My reply was that every Christian, if they’re honest, has doubts at some point. But doubts don’t preclude faith.
Doubt is an intellectual problem. Doubt comes from unanswered questions or unresolved problems. Jesus never condemned anyone for doubting. What he did condemn was unbelief. Unbelief is a spiritual rather than an intellectual problem. Unbelief is that attitude that says, “I refuse to believe. Even if you could answer all my questions to my complete satisfaction, I still wouldn’t believe.” Doubt is the sign of mind that is looking for answers and open to considering new possibilities. Unbelief is the sign of a closed mind.
One of Jesus’ disciples is often referred to, in a derogatory way, as “Doubting Thomas.” Jesus never condemned Thomas for having doubts. In fact, if doubts lead us to seek answers to difficult spiritual questions, as they did for Thomas, that is a good thing. When Thomas was struggling to get his mind around the impossibility of Jesus rising from the dead, Jesus responded to his doubts by saying, “‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ He offered Thomas an answer to his intellectual problem and Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:27-28). His questioning ultimately led to his declaration of faith.
Do you have unanswered spiritual questions? Why not get in touch? We’d love to help you find the answers.
Neil Percival
Doubt is an intellectual problem. Doubt comes from unanswered questions or unresolved problems. Jesus never condemned anyone for doubting. What he did condemn was unbelief. Unbelief is a spiritual rather than an intellectual problem. Unbelief is that attitude that says, “I refuse to believe. Even if you could answer all my questions to my complete satisfaction, I still wouldn’t believe.” Doubt is the sign of mind that is looking for answers and open to considering new possibilities. Unbelief is the sign of a closed mind.
One of Jesus’ disciples is often referred to, in a derogatory way, as “Doubting Thomas.” Jesus never condemned Thomas for having doubts. In fact, if doubts lead us to seek answers to difficult spiritual questions, as they did for Thomas, that is a good thing. When Thomas was struggling to get his mind around the impossibility of Jesus rising from the dead, Jesus responded to his doubts by saying, “‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ He offered Thomas an answer to his intellectual problem and Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:27-28). His questioning ultimately led to his declaration of faith.
Do you have unanswered spiritual questions? Why not get in touch? We’d love to help you find the answers.
Neil Percival