Faith Forged in Doubt
Have you ever had doubts? I certainly hope so. Doubt is a good tool that can protect us from harm. When my son was young, a friend told him that he could punch his fist through a glass window and would not get cut. Eight stitches later, he had learned a hard lesson.
Have you ever doubted what you have been told to believe about God and how to be a good Christian? In Brian D. McLaren’s book, Faith After Doubt, he tells story after story of pastors and people seen as having a strong faith, struggle with their beliefs—and a fair amount of guilt about their doubts. Briefly, McLaren cites brain research indicates clearly that thinking is a social act. He states, “Our brains, it seems, are equipped at birth with empty files waiting to be filled with the norms and expectations transmitted by our companions, whose acceptance and approval our brains have evolved to want and need.” [i] In other words, our brains have a three-member committee that functions to inform us: our instinctive brain (gut/survival), the heart brain (intuitive/relational) and the head (intellectual/meaning) brain. We are told what to believe and then held by our social settings in certain boxes of beliefs.
It is difficult for a lot of people to challenge faith beliefs. When I led confirmation classes in a local church, I always began by telling the youth that I was not going to give them pat answers or tell them what “right” things to believe to be “good” Christians. I wanted them to wrestle with their questions, study, listen, and think. I truly believe that for faith to be authentic, people need to wrestle with concepts, ideas, thoughts, and emotions on their own and within community. It’s okay to question. Recently I came across a posting that said churches should add a “Pastor of Doubt” along with the other pastors.[ii] That would be an honest, permission-giving church.
In all honesty, I wish more people would spend some time doubting. Just like Thomas (John 20:24–29) who had to have that personal encounter with Jesus, we all need to ask the questions that lead us to that personal encounter whereby a connection to the risen Christ within lets us know we are on the right track. Okay, I know that takes time and energy and, yes, a faith that the answers will somehow come.
Far too many people want easy answers and for someone else to tell them what to believe. And there are plenty of preachers out there who will give them what they want. Which is a major problem. There is an increasing influence of right-wing white evangelicals who have altered the script to meet their own needs personal and political rather than the gospel of Jesus. More on this later.
Suffice it to say right now, it is a good thing to wrestle with God like Jacob (Genesis 32:22-32). You might walk away with a bit of a limp, but you will walk away blessed with new insights and understanding, and maybe a few more questions.
Blessings,
Donna
[i] Brian D. McLaren, Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It. 2021 St. Martin’s Pub Group..
[ii] https://www.redletterchristians.org/pastor-of-doubt/
Rev. Dr. Donna Patterson serves as Anam Cara Chaplain in Residence for Scarritt Bennett Center and directs the Center’s Soul Work program.