Doubt and questions about Christian faith are not found only among new believers. They are not limited to young or immature believers. Believers of any age and any spiritual maturity may suddenly or slowly find doubts and questions arising.
Sometimes these need to be dealt with by reading good Christian books, doing online research or getting solid answers from someone who has done the research. Serious intellectual questions need serious intelligent responses. Sometimes the period of doubt lasts for only a brief time: it may have come because of weariness - physical, emotional or spiritual. Sometimes all that is needed besides rest is a time in prayer and Bible reading.
However these three blogs are outlining four perspectives that help our attitude when suddenly faced with doubt or questions. If this is a new experience some people immediately feel "their world is falling apart" or may feel overwhelmed. They may fear that this "crisis of faith" is the beginning of a total loss of faith. So to a group of teens I offered these four guidelines for thinking, or four helpful perspectives.
1. You are not the first. 2. Stay honest with God. 3. Stay centered on Jesus.
4. Remain realistic about the choices.
This fourth perspective has helped me when moments of doubt have occured. I find myself suddenly wondering (as a pastor and teacher), what if this is not true? What if I have taught all these years something that is a fabricated religion? What if Jesus is not real?
I have seldom wrestled with thoughts like this for long. A major reason is because I have identified with Peter as I have meditated on John 6.
I am not a student of world religions. However I know enough and have seen enough to make a fairly informed evaluation of "competing" religions. I have read the most popular books that argue for atheism. I am not impressed.
On the other hand I have intensely studied the life of Jesus and have read the Gospels at least 40 times. I have sought to live as a follower of Jesus for about 5 decades. Whenever assailed by doubts, my mind goes quickly to Peter's astute answer to Jesus question. Peter has watched as other disciples have walked away, choosing to no longer follow Jesus. To paraphrase his question: "If we don't follow you Jesus, who or what shall we follow? If we don't believe you have the meaning of life, where will we look for that meaning?"
Each of us by being human has to believe something about life and death. Whether we articulate it or not; whether we give it much thought or not, we must live by some kind of belief. We believe in no god or some god. We believe in no life meaning or some life meaning. We believe that there is no existence after death or some kind of after death existence. Each of us must deal with a world of suffering and try to make some sense of it. We must live; and by the choices we make, the life we live, we affirm or at least reveal our world view, our belief system or our non- belief system.
When I look at the choices, there is no contest. No belief system, no world view can compete with what is found in Jesus. To the deepest questions of life and death, no one offers answers like Jesus does. As I try to realistically evaluate the choices, Jesus makes so much more sense; life makes so much more sense. Jesus is so much more believable; Jesus offers so much more.
When I pause to think about this, my doubts quite quickly disappear. I hope this helps you.
Sometimes these need to be dealt with by reading good Christian books, doing online research or getting solid answers from someone who has done the research. Serious intellectual questions need serious intelligent responses. Sometimes the period of doubt lasts for only a brief time: it may have come because of weariness - physical, emotional or spiritual. Sometimes all that is needed besides rest is a time in prayer and Bible reading.
However these three blogs are outlining four perspectives that help our attitude when suddenly faced with doubt or questions. If this is a new experience some people immediately feel "their world is falling apart" or may feel overwhelmed. They may fear that this "crisis of faith" is the beginning of a total loss of faith. So to a group of teens I offered these four guidelines for thinking, or four helpful perspectives.
1. You are not the first. 2. Stay honest with God. 3. Stay centered on Jesus.
4. Remain realistic about the choices.
This fourth perspective has helped me when moments of doubt have occured. I find myself suddenly wondering (as a pastor and teacher), what if this is not true? What if I have taught all these years something that is a fabricated religion? What if Jesus is not real?
I have seldom wrestled with thoughts like this for long. A major reason is because I have identified with Peter as I have meditated on John 6.
"Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked,“Are you also going to leave?”
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:67 - 69
I am not a student of world religions. However I know enough and have seen enough to make a fairly informed evaluation of "competing" religions. I have read the most popular books that argue for atheism. I am not impressed.
On the other hand I have intensely studied the life of Jesus and have read the Gospels at least 40 times. I have sought to live as a follower of Jesus for about 5 decades. Whenever assailed by doubts, my mind goes quickly to Peter's astute answer to Jesus question. Peter has watched as other disciples have walked away, choosing to no longer follow Jesus. To paraphrase his question: "If we don't follow you Jesus, who or what shall we follow? If we don't believe you have the meaning of life, where will we look for that meaning?"
Each of us by being human has to believe something about life and death. Whether we articulate it or not; whether we give it much thought or not, we must live by some kind of belief. We believe in no god or some god. We believe in no life meaning or some life meaning. We believe that there is no existence after death or some kind of after death existence. Each of us must deal with a world of suffering and try to make some sense of it. We must live; and by the choices we make, the life we live, we affirm or at least reveal our world view, our belief system or our non- belief system.
When I look at the choices, there is no contest. No belief system, no world view can compete with what is found in Jesus. To the deepest questions of life and death, no one offers answers like Jesus does. As I try to realistically evaluate the choices, Jesus makes so much more sense; life makes so much more sense. Jesus is so much more believable; Jesus offers so much more.
When I pause to think about this, my doubts quite quickly disappear. I hope this helps you.
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