Faith & Doubt

Another Talk.

-------

I’m going to be a little sporadic when it comes to our scripture during this talk, but bear with me, I’ll only make us go through a few… and I think it’ll make sense.

Tonight I want to talk to you about a topic that is very dear to me.

It is dear to me because I think it is something that we as humans have to really take seriously.

Not only as human beings alone, but also as Christians.

This is an issue that many of my friends and I do not see eye to eye on.

And this is something that I personally have wrestled with immensely.

The topic is that of Faith & Doubt.

Now, many of you know that I studied theology in college, which just means that I spent a whole bunch of money to read the Bible, but hear me when I say that I am no the expert on this topic

So when I’m out and about and people learn that I majored in theology I usually get some very interesting responses.

Some people react with interest, or intrigue because they know a little about the issue or want to hear from someone who’s studied it for a while.

Some react with awkwardness or apathy, because they are not really sure what to say.

While others respond with anger or accusations, as if I was the reason for all the problems around religion or the church.

Now I may be the problem, but that’s not the point… just joking.

But I have heard it said that the two topics one should never bring up in public are politics and religion.

And I think this is because they are touchy issues, which many people have strong opinions about.

But I also believe that these two topics make an individual really take a look at where they personally stand concerning them.

And many people don’t want to share that part of his or herself, or they may don’t want to share because in the past they have been burnt when they’ve tried.

The thing is that wherever you find yourself, you will have to deal with politics of some kind and with spiritual matter of some kind, in school, your house or a job.

Now, there are some issues that my family tends to shy away from, but I know that whenever politics or religion arise it tends to heighten emotions.

But, these are hard issues and they are hard issues, I think, because they are public and hard to escape… if not impossible to escape.

Anyways, this topic of Faith and Doubt is a touchy issue for me because I have many friends who once confessed a faith in Jesus, but now left the faith for whatever reason.

It doesn’t feel good to watch friends go that direction and I know that at least a few of you have similar friends.

Some of my friends left their faith behind because they have grown up in very stifling family or school situations.

They have told me that religion or Christianity was shoved down their throat.

Some have left because they just don’t like Christian culture as it has developed around them.

Some because they have wrestled personally with some really hard circumstances, including rape or the death of a father.

And still others have walked away because they have chosen not to believe that there is actually a God.

But this is personally a tough issue for me because I myself have wrestled with it.

I shared once before that my middle school and high school experience was really hard for me

I witnessed my mom almost die about 5 times, and even though my mom is doing well now, during that time the part of the bible that I least agreed with was Jeremiah 29:11

It says... For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

Now, I just didn’t believe this for a long time, and I fell into a depression in which I would get home from school and ponder how I could escape the crap in life.

Thankfully I had a great community around me at that time that loved me well but ultimately God delivered me from it.

Community is a great gift to each of us in times of trouble and for sure it is something that we should strive for and continue to cultivate.

But I am definitely grateful for the fact that God actually open my eyes to the truth that He did have a hope and a future for me, and still does.

All that to say; I have many friends who are in a deep time of doubt and I have been there too and it can be hard to be around

But that is exactly what they need—the presence of a friend, even if its just your presence.

But I think in the Christian community there is a large stigma against the concept of doubt

There are multitudes of songs, movies, even personalities that I’ve met that are crafted around the destruction of faith by the mighty power of doubt.

As if they were two separate and mutually exclusive entities

If you have a little bit of one then you can’t possibly have anything to do with the other.

But I don’t believe it is that black and white.

And I think scripture has examples of God giving us the freedom to wrestle Him and question Him.

I think of Jacob’s night where he wrestles with God Himself in Genesis 32:28

Or, the all the prophets of old who stood between Israel and God… and at times questioned Him about his plan for His nation Israel.

Or, Job where he basically attacks God for letting such a horrible thing happen to his family

Or Doubting Thomas: Who wanted to know it for Himself whether the rumors of Jesus’ resurrection were true.

Or John the Baptist: Who while in Jail sent his followers to Jesus to clarify whether or not Jesus is the messiah or whether world should still be waiting.

Or even 1 Thes. 5:21 – That says: ‘but test everything; hold fast what is good’

I think this concept of Doubt is not that easy to get around but I do think that it has been misunderstood.

It seems that when any certain word is vilified in culture that everything that has anything to do with it is evil too.

But I think doubt at its best is more for inquisitive sake.

Through doubt one can search for clarity, and maybe more importantly when you find yourself doubting…

It is an assurance that you are awake, that you are present… and not taking something hook, line and sinker.

In fact it has been through my most doubting times in life that I have found the most clarity in faith. Something, which I can only attribute to Jesus

It is as if the way to the Promised Land is through the Wilderness.

Hmmm.

We are called to have a child-like faith…

And if any of you have been around any children, my host family has two that this is definitely true for; then you know that they ask a million questions… one right after another.

God has called us into a child-like faith… not a child-ish faith

The thing is: It’s OK to struggle… and it’s OK to wrestle with God.

He can take it, and He wants that more than for you to be apathetic towards Him.

But I do think that Doubt at its worst is a deep well of depression.

Many of my friends have found themselves sunk under the weight

And whether it’s because of arrogance that they believe they know the ‘truth’ or comfort in a familiar depressing place, many of then don’t look for help to rise out of it and continue in their self-destructive habits.

But one of the beauties of God is the fact that God allows us to doubt.

It is as if He really understands us human beings.

Knowing that all of us little stubborn people are only willing to come to Him if we are not forced.

Because it is in the freedom not to believe that we are free to believe.

I know personally that when someone tries to force me into something… I will try to do anything not to comply.

And that is the great thing about our Lord – He doesn’t force us… he stands at the door waiting for the knock

But even if you find yourself in the deepest darkest dungeon, He comes after you to rescue you.

We have the freedom for faith, but also and God who is Faithful.

But… I may be wrong but I think we as Christians we tend to speak about faith like something we can collect, maybe like artist cd’s or books

Both of these I can be horribly addicted to buying at times.

Maybe you are like me sometimes when…

I can start think: if only I have one more cd, I’ll find the best artist that will have the most timeless record that fits into every experience that I’ll ever have and I wont ever need to buy another one again.

But music can fade. And where one artist is perfect for me at one time, inevitably I start the search anew.

Or I can think at times: if only I get some more books I’ll have the best library a 23-year-old has ever had.

But I haven’t even read all of the books I own yet, and I’m sure there is a more intelligent 23-year-old out there who has more money than me and has already won that race.

Now I know that I have at times and maybe you too, considered faith in the same way…

Maybe if I get faith like that person, I’ll have made it.

Maybe if I read enough Christian books, I’ll have the knowledge to get me through.

Or maybe sometimes we think of faith like a bucket.

Where I can collect 2 points today, because it has been a really good day or flattered someone. And lose 4 points tomorrow, because I stubbed my toe or told a lie.

But when Jesus was talking about the Faith as small as a Mustard seed he wasn’t saying that if you had a million mustard seeds of faith that you’d be better off.

He was just making the point that even the smallest faith blooms into a giant tree.

But, I think we as Christians have a tendency to collect things we believe like a ‘to do’ list.

If we don’t believe in ‘a’ ‘b’ ‘c’ or ‘d’ then there might be something wrong with us.

Or if we don’t have faith in this or that doctrine, issue, social concern, or whatever… then we must not be Christians.

I’ve heard it from many people that they aren’t religious or Christians because there are just too many rules.

Which is funny to say because on a side note there are less rules in the law of the Old Testament then there are in Pro Football.

Now, I don’t really care about sports unless I’m at the game, so shoot me.

But I think that is an interesting thought.

I mean, what are some things that are expected of a Christian to believe?

We should …

Go to church on Sunday

Be concerned about the poor

Be nice to everyone

Not gamble, drink, smoke, or whatever.

Now those may be good for you, guidelines to keep you from doing certain things that may be destructive

Or, to keep you doing things that are good.

But as a Christian this is not what defines you.

These things may even define a good moral atheist… well maybe not so much the going to church on Sunday, but you get the point.

This isn’t what makes us Christians… So what does?

I think the Biblical and true response and maybe the word for you tonight is Jesus.

There is a difference between a ‘Belief in’ and a ‘Belief that’

We can fall into a faith that believes that I should do this or that… ‘a’ b’ ‘c’ or ‘d’

Or, that I should have a faith like Jenn’s or JoAnne’s or even my own.

But God doesn’t want you to have the faith of someone else, He wants you to have yours

Which leads me to the other option.

If a ‘Belief that’ can lead to an inappropriate checklist or ultimately a faith in a friend, family member, or leader, what is there to believe?

What kind of Faith does God want?

I believe that God wants us, our own individual selves, to have a faith IN Him Himself.

Jesus’ question to you tonight may be like his in Caesarea Philippi to his disciples: ‘Who do you say that I am?’

And that is a daily question… for each one of us.

It’s a question that when we wake up, we will answer… whether we neglect the question or not… we answer it—and we have to answer it for ourselves.

Faith is kind of like the manna from heaven.

Manna (Which means ‘what is it’)

Could not be stored up (Because it would spoil)

It was from God Himself (It was not from their own creation)

And it was new every morning (It was something that the people of Israel had to depend on God for)

The thing is: You can’t necessarily have Jesus, I mean not even the crowds in the gospels could capture Him—But, Jesus has you.

And that’s it: We have someone who we can believe in.

Who is greater than us and the problems around around.

Who became man, died for us, and brought New life

So that we can live truly in this world and love those around us.

Who is faithful and worthy of trust.

God is who he says He is.

And He is one that we can truly believe in.

God is For us.

So, when you find yourself doubting or wrestling with the hard things in life… Take Heart.

You are not alone, and you are not a pagan.

There is one who has overcome the world and overcome our sin.

And you can look to Jesus, and ask Him if He is the messiah or if we should be looking for another.

For surely He will respond like He does to John’s disciples: Matthew 11:4-5

And you can take that as response Jesus’ response to you.

He heals the Blind, Deaf and Dumb

But not only is He the messiah.

He can do this work in your life as well.

Jesus can open your eyes.

He can unclog your ears.

And He can give you a word to speak.

God is who He says He is.

And the great thing is that He has given us a great resource for learning about Him.

It’s the Bible.

It’s kind of a good tool. *wink

I had a professor while I was in college at Whitworth up in Spokane, Washington.

His name’s Adam Neder… He’s the man.

He was one of my theology teachers, and my favorite professor, because he and I could talk about whatever. Movies, music, life, and whatever piqued out fancy.

But he also understood who Jesus was and is and that Jesus knows each one of us intimately

Anyways, during a lecture about why one could or should study theology he once told our class:

‘You know, God has never been apathetic when dealing with us Humans.’

And then he got all squinty eyed, like he does when he gets sarcastic and at the same time really serious

‘I mean God did everything He could do; He became man and died for each one of us. The least we can do is attempt to speak about Him in the most appropriate way.

Now, I think what Adam was getting at is the fact that we should really start to become students of this thing called the Bible, but even more of God Himself.

So, my challenge to each one of you, and myself is: go Home…whenever you do… and check the Bible to see if what I’m saying is true… and dive in.

Let’s Pray: Lord I believe, help my unbelief.