doubt
I visited a couple of good friends in the hospital this week who were there with their babies. One couple has yet to bring their month old home and the other is back in the hospital AGAIN, with their 3 month old. Both of these little ones have been through more, medically speaking, in their 3 months then most will go through in their entire lives. My buddy, and the father of little 3 mo old, questioned “why?” I have the same question, but we can rest knowing that the greatest human (not the God-Man, aka, Jesus) who ever lived had doubts too.If you know the story of John the Baptist, you know that John lept in his mother’s womb when Jesus entered the room while still living inside of His mother. (Luke 1:41) Years later, John preached repentence and the coming of the Christ who John later baptized. Can you imagine baptizing Jesus? (crazy) Anyway, there John was in prison a few years later questioning whether Jesus was the One. (crazy) So, my friends, when you doubt, you are in good company. It is okay to have doubts. It is a part of being human. Just remember, in the end, it is our faith that gets us through.
However, becareful of verbalizing those doubts around other Christians. The response you get may not be helpful, and may even cause more pain, confusion, seperation and doubts.
Sam – first, thanks for the comment. second, i completely agree that some will make others feel unfaithful for doubting. I’m just thankful that the Scriptures provide hope in the midst of doubt. From Abraham to Moses to John the Baptist to Peter….doubt was there. In the end, they stayed trued and they are known for their tremendous faith. press on!
Your implying that questioning God is okay. But what if you doubt the Church or the people of God? We say it is okay to doubt God, but when we question the Church or its leadership then we are accused of being decenters or divisors and even shunned by people in the Church. Do people see the distinction between God and Church? When you doubt the Church and its leadership, that looks like doubting God to many people. After all, isn’t the Church supposed to be God’s instrument for spreading the Gospel. Why does having problems with that institution and its leaders cause more problems than doubting God?
Looking at Church history, isn’t it those who doubt that institution and its leadership who end up being the instrument for needed change (Luther is most obvious)? So why do our Churches look at those sort of people today as decenters, divicive, evil rather than embracing them and listening to them.
Sam – thanks again for the comment. I don’t think it is wrong to have questions for others, including church leaders. often i think that we can get caught up in how to do church and that is what most church “disagreements” are about. Not sure if that is where you are going but I would say that questions posed with Godly motives and with the intention to propel the Body forward are always welcome.
One reminder: ‘our war is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and dark forces….” (Eph 6).
Brian, I do think you are missing my point. I agree, we do get caught up in how to “do church”, and one person or group will be certain that their way of “doing church” is more correct, beneficial, or cool than someone elses. Part of the problem is that we are “doing church” rather than being The Church. I’m sure you would agree with that.
However, what I am talking about is when we question the church. Is it doing what it should be doing? Is it real, authentic, honest? Does it just put on a shiney happy face around a Gospel that should speak to our real lives and tragedy when our lives are messed up and their isn’t easy answers. Are we just selling God to a consumeristic congregation? Are our church leaders real? Are they honest, or are they also putting a shiney happy face? Are we talking about how we are messed up, or are we only talking about the messes we were in that we have now overcome? If we don’t overcome them, does that mean we are failures and we can’t talk about them?
My point is, what if you were to express doubt about your leaders and your church? They aren’t God, they’re men. What would happen if you did that? Is it bad to question those things, doubt those things? So, can we have doubts about God, but not have doubts about our church or its leaders?
Sam – I think I addressed your question but to put it another way: church leaders are human like everyone else so I guess you should “question” or “doubt” a church leader like you should “question” anyone else: with humility, grace and love.
Church leadership is a tremendous calling and resonsiblity. Our leaders need lots of prayer and support because almost all of them are doing their best, seeking God and trying to honor Him with their lives.
Amen Brian. You answered all of those questions with the direction that God gave you: with humility, grace and love. Thank you for all of wonderful readings on Not.U.