Faith and Doubt

 

I’ve encountered a theology built on the need for doubt in order to grow faith. It is an interesting concept; one with which my conservative-trained mind had a very difficult time. I am not yet convinced of the validity of the whole “Four Stages of Spiritual Development” concept, but I find aspects of it rather intriguing.

Many years ago, I heard this statement: “The opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear.” Consider what Jesus said in Mark 4:40; “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Doubt is not the enemy of faith. Faith is the enemy of fear.

Let’s take a look at the scientific process. 

1. Make an observation.

2. Ask a question.

3. Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation.

4. Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.

5. Test the prediction.

6. Iterate: use the results to make new hypotheses or predictions.

This has led to numerous advances in medicine, engineering, business; literally every aspect of human existence. Someone evaluates the current status of any area of interests. They research the existing “faith” in the knowledge currently available, dream about possibilities which may exist beyond that faith, and begin to “doubt” its validity.

This process is used every day in most every aspect of fabric of society, with one major exception: religion. There is no room in a community of faith for doubt. Those who guard the sacred tenets instill fear in those who would even dare question the faith. I do not believe that is what Jesus came to give mankind. His purpose was to draw men back to the Father. What has happened to His message since then is disheartening. In the exact same way the religious leaders in the four hundred years preceding Jesus Christ, many of the current religious leaders have built systems of laws (we now call them tenets, but it’s the same thing) to protect their institutions; to insure the continued existence and influence over humanity.

Jesus came saying things like, “Up until now you thought it was this way, but it’s actually another way.” He called on them to doubt their current beliefs in order to make room for a new set of truth. He didn’t instill fear by threatening them if they did not conform, but invited to drink and eat of Himself so that they might have life, and that life, more abundantly.

You don’t have to destroy faith in order to introduce doubt. They can actually coexist. The disciples even made the request of Jesus by saying, “We believe. Help our unbelief.” In other words, we have faith, but help us where we have doubt. Faith and doubt existing hand in hand.

It is sad that the one place where we should be able to express our doubts or questions regarding elements of the Christian faith should be in the church (little c). In my experience, if you show any sign of anything less than enthusiastic support for the tenets of the local body or denomination, you are immediately viewed as an infidel, and are encouraged to “get saved” because you must not have gotten it the first time.

The analogy of a growing child is employed by the writers of the New Testament. Speaking of being childlike in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but then growing up into a mature person. Humans allow children to have questions. They do not immediately cast a child out of the house if they show some kind of doubt about a closely-held belief of the family. Churches, however, do just that. How can someone truly grow up if they are not allowed to ask questions; yes, even hard questions that kick at the underpinning of our faith? If the foundation upon which we are attempting to build our lives is that fragile, maybe there is a need for questions.

I already hear the comments some of you are thinking. I’ve had the same ones. In a utopian world (even Christian) we have to leave room for doubt. Otherwise, we could end up with a faith built on presumption, or worse, falsehoods.

One of my favorite things to do during a conversation among people I know is to take an opposing view on whatever topic is being discussed. It can get ugly pretty quick until I assure them I’m only trying to provoke them to think about their responses instead of parroting some ideology they’ve been taught. We need to have conviction in what we believe, especially if we are attempting to convince others to join our movement. If we only have conversations with like-minded people we will never grow beyond where we find ourselves.

True spiritual maturity comes from doubt. Questioning our faith is not a sign of weakness, but an attempt to strengthen our foundation in what we believe. Finding faith in the beginning comes from the realization that there is something more than what I have experienced up to this point. In other words, you begin to doubt your current state. You either entertain new information you’ve heard, or you seek out new information to determine if your current understanding is valid.