(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better…and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see how)
Focus Question:
When is doubt okay?
Intro:
Is there anything in life where we have 100% certainty? Philosophers love to get words all twisted around on this, but for the sake of argument, let’s say that there is not. You can be reeeeeally confident a plane is going to take off and land safely, but you don’t have 100% certainty about it. Or that your house will still be standing tomorrow. Or many things.
Today, as we’ll see in Matthew 11, doubt is experienced by the most surprising of characters. And even though doubt has not been part of my journey, I actually think that many, if not most, people have doubt from time to time. And that’s today’s focus question — is that doubt ever okay?
New Testament segment:
Passage: Matthew 11
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 30
Words: ~634
What does Jesus do when John the Baptizer experiences doubt? He gives him evidence. He did the same for Doubting Thomas. And the guy in Mark 9 who said, “Help me with my unbelief.”
Doubt is not unbelief, but it can lead to unbelief. Doubt a matter of mind, unbelief is matter of will.
Disappointment is part of living in a fallen and flawed world. Don’t let disappointment destroy or define you.
~ Brent Strawsburg
William Lane Craig draws the contrast nicely in terms of "knowing" that one's faith is true, grounded in the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit, and "showing" that one's faith is reasonable, which involves giving the evidences of natural theology and apologetics.(1)
In short, doubt is a natural part of the Christian walk for a lot of people. And it’s not incurable. Besides running to Jesus, it would be useful to share your doubt with someone who can be part of your journey, including looking at the evidence. Oh, one other idea from Brent Strawsburg…tackle your questions one at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed, but don’t leave questions unanswered.
Finally, in Amos…
Old Testament segment:
Passage: Amos 7-9
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 46
Words: ~1275
7:1–9:15 Visions of Judgment. In the final section of the book, the prophet turns from speech to sight. He now tells of visions he has received from God that leave no doubt of the deadly peril in which the nation stands. The first is a vision of inescapable judgment (7:1–9), a vision frighteningly confirmed by the prophet’s experience with the priest of Bethel (7:10–17). The second vision is of Israel’s terrible end (8:1–14). The last is of the Lord standing at the altar of sacrifice (9:1–15). But this vision has two parts, the first of which continues the theme of judgment (9:1–10), whereas the second sounds a note of hope (9:11–15).(2)
Wisdom segment:
Passage: Proverbs 12:4-6
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 3
Words: ~48
The bottom line:
Ooh great Proverb reminding us that a significant other of noble character builds up the other. I once experienced that and would love to again. I hope you experience that in your life!
Love you!
Roger
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) Garrett J. DeWeese. Doing Philosophy as a Christian (Christian Worldview Integration Series) (Kindle Locations 790-792). Kindle Edition.
(2) Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1671.