"Honest Doubt"
"Find if you can, beloved, one occasion in which Jesus inculcated doubt or bade men dwell in uncertainty. The apostles of unbelief are everywhere today, and they imagine they are doing God service by spreading what they call “honest doubt.” This is death to all joy! Poison to all peace!
The Savior did not so. He would have them take extraordinary measures to get rid of their doubt. Jesus appeals tenderly saying, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31) He would have you believe in the substantial reality of His religion, and handle Him and see; trust Him largely and simply, as a child trusts its mother and knows no fear."
--Charles Spurgeon
The Savior did not so. He would have them take extraordinary measures to get rid of their doubt. Jesus appeals tenderly saying, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31) He would have you believe in the substantial reality of His religion, and handle Him and see; trust Him largely and simply, as a child trusts its mother and knows no fear."
--Charles Spurgeon
posted by kennyo at 10:35 AM
5 Comments:
To express uncertainty and "honest doubt" is sin. It is disbelief. But today in many churches it is considered virtuous. To many, it gives more credibility. This is irrational and foolish.
What an offense to Jesus, who went through suffering and death to redeem us. What an offense to the Holy Spirit who has been given to us as a deposit and who reveals His truth to us through the Holy Scriptures!
"To express uncertainty and "honest doubt" is sin. It is disbelief."
To "express uncertainty" is a sin? What do you have to support such a statement? I would rather have someone say that they are struggling with their faith, than to put up a facade, act strong and courageous on the outside, and give up on the inside. Saying you believe, while actually having deep doubt - isn't that lying? It is lying to your own soul.
Who are we kidding? All our thoughts are naked before God - there is nothing to hide behind - including doubt. We all go through periods of doubt, as well as depression.
Maybe I don't understand the context of the statement - help me out here...
"Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief."
This doesn't suggest that we deny our struggles - but that we take them honestly and openly to the Lord.
I take Spurgeon to mean that we shall not "dwell" in the doubt for longer than necessary. Some do this because they are asking "how". Some want answers to every mystery. Yet, if they will simply ask "why", they will find comfort in the Scripture (such as John 3:16) and faith for the journey.
Dennis,
I don't disagree with what you have said above.
To clarify my statement let me say; to doubt the things that God has clearly said and revealed in the scriptures is a sin.
There are pastors who are admired for expressing doubt, for avoiding a solid position on issues that are black and white in the Bible. For example:
Tony Campolo is wishy-washy on the doctrine of salvation through Christ alone. So is Billy Graham (lately). Rob Bell and McLaren are both uncertian about hell. They are admired for this. Their unwillingness to stand on scriptually reveal truth is a sin. They are not loving God with all of their mind.
Okay, I understand better now. I thought we were talking about "Honest Doubt" regarding the faith within us - not doubt about the power and the Word of God.
Salvation is through Christ alone - agreed.
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