“What’s Right With Doubt?” John 20:19-31
Introduction
The sorcerer had fallen out of favor of the court, and the king sentenced him to death. On the day of the planned execution, the sorcerer told the king that if he would allow him to live for one year, the king could become famous around the world—because the sorcerer would make the king’s horse talk. If the sorcerer failed, the king could kill him—and the sorcerer wouldn’t object. The king agreed, and the sorcerer was spared for one year and dispatched to a dungeon. A duke, who was friendly to the sorcerer, sneaked up to the dungeon and said, “You are indeed a fool. I know and you know that you do not have the power to make animals speak. Now you will surely die.” The sorcerer answered, “I have a year. Many things can happen in a year. The king might die. Or I might die. And who knows? In a year perhaps the horse might talk.”
Transition
People deal with doubt differently to be sure. In the case of the sorcerer, though even he was doubtful about his ability to make the horse talk, he dealt with the situation by stalling; buying more time. We all have doubts. When it comes to those doubts that we have with regard to faith in Christ and belief in God, there are some things that we can do to deal with our doubt.
In today’s Scripture reading we see that Thomas was doubtful, skeptical, that the man who stood before him was, in fact, the resurrected Jesus. While Thomas is often chided for his apparent lack of faith, I wonder how many of us would have seen Jesus raised and immediately believed. I’d like to think that there is no way that I would not have immediately fallen in worship of Christ; but perhaps not.
Consider the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in the 24th chapter of Luke’s gospel. These two men walked and talked with the resurrected Jesus, even talking about what had happened to Jesus. After they realized who it was with whom they had walked, talked, and even broken bread, they were astonished, saying, “did our hearts not burn within us while we were with him!”
If we are going to deal with our doubt in any way that is effective, we are going to have to be honest in admitting that inside each one of us, at least at times, lives a doubting Thomas. This morning I will seek to identify the types of doubt that confront each one of us and then offer some insight into to dealing with doubt but asking the question, “What’s right with doubt?”
Types of Doubt
Factual Doubt. Some doubts arise from a lack or misunderstanding of the factual evidence with regard to Christianity. I am compelled to believe that the reason that many Christians are confused and that many unbelievers reject Christ, the Bible, and the Church, are because of a lack of understanding of the facts.
As is the case with so many situations in the modern culture, as a result of having access to so much information by way the internet, television, and other outlets, sometimes it is very difficult to sort out what is true and false, what is real applicable to our situation and what it not.
“(a) Factual foundations: A common form of uncertainty is that which questions the underpinnings of Christianity. Such might frequently occur in the case of new believers who have not thought through many of the main issues yet or even with more mature believers who are not sure of the facts. A common scenario would be the inability to answer critical accusations against Christianity due to one’s lack of knowledge on those subjects. In particular, the major issues here might concern the nature of the gospel or other central beliefs.”
There are many people who have only been told a part of the Gospel or who have received the Good News of Jesus Christ in a very haphazard fashion; free from deep study of the Scriptures or knowledge about the Bible and the Church.
An example of this might be the person who was not raised in Church but is inspired to make a confession of faith while watching Christian television and then never gets plugged into a church and, as a result never grows in their knowledge of the faith. Though they profess Christ, they do not have any depth of understanding with regard to who Christ is.
When difficult circumstances arise, they easily fall into the trap of doubt because they do not have the facts to support their faith. There are examples of such people who, though they possess a form of faith, have little or no foundation of knowledge of the truth to sustain it. These are those who are blown by every wind of doctrine that comes along. Their faith is easily victimized by the antagonism of an increasingly secular society and also by the difficult things that this life brings.
The greatest tool against this kind of doubt is the facts. I am reminded of the famous television police sergeant of old, “Just give me the facts ma’am.” When doubt arises out of a deficit of truth, fill it in with the facts!
“(b) Pseudo problems: This variety of doubt occurs when believers allow themselves to be concerned about issues which not only are not central to the truthfulness of Christianity, but sometimes do not make any substantial difference whichever view is correct. Pinnock notes that such usually occurs when strong positions are taken where Scripture may be noncommittal and where it is therefore legitimate for believers to hold differing views. Examples here might include the date of the earth or specific problems in eschatology.”
A great many within the Church fall victim to the pseudo problem. This is the “rabbit trail” that leads only to entanglement with the underbrush. Many believers fall victim to the doubt that arises from the pseudo problem when they get too hung up on when Christ shall return, the exact nature of Him coming, or the doctrines associated with such a secondary matter.
The questions arise, “Are you a Pre-Trib / Pre-Mil / Dispensationalist? Or are you a Preterist / Covenantist?” I happen to be a Dispensationalist, but that is very much secondary to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. The manner of His return is nor nearly as important as the fact of it!
There are many such secondary doctrines which, when allowed to consume the substance of one’s faith are very likely to lead to doubt. Should we investigate biblical matters? To be sure, we should. BUT, we must allow those things which are central to the Gospel of Christ satisfy our hearts and allow those things which are secondary to be secondary matters.
“(c) Questioning intellect: This form of factual doubt is frequently caused by the type of personality which enjoys problem solving. For some persons, to be constantly studying an issue provides the needed motivation to seek creative answers, thereby leading to intellectual growth. In other words, this type of uncertainty actually spurs some individuals to work out dilemmas which interest them, or to get to the root of practical applications with the intent of finding which solutions actually work.”
Be very careful of the man or woman who is consumed with questioning to the exclusion of ever answering. There are those among us who ask questions incessantly; never satisfied; always questioning even the good answers to our questions. I would further suggest that we are rightly skeptical of the constant skeptic! There are also those people who only ask questions of our faith as a way to distance themselves from the very notion of faith. There are some people for whom no answer will ever be good enough.
Emotional Doubt. On the other side of the coin, there is emotional doubt. Whereas factual doubt tends to stem from the intellect, emotional doubt tends to come from the heart. Matters of emotional doubt are often more difficult to diagnose and treat because they are wrapped up with hurts, joys, and perceptions of the world on an emotional, often non-cognitive level.
Emotional doubts are often more difficult to express in words but I of the impression that it is doubts arising from emotions which are the most systemic with regard to our spiritual health.
“(a) Psychological & Medical causes: We do well not to underestimate the power of the psyche and the body with regard to our state of mind and our emotional well being. There are obvious issues which will come with regard to faith when a person is struggling with clinical depression, anxiety, or other mental troubles.”
There are even physical medical conditions which are very likely to cause confusion, disarray in our thoughts, and affect us in other ways. Even some medications can cause a great deal of side affects in our thoughts. As Christians, I think we should be cautious about seeming overly critical of those who need medications and treatment for physical or mental ailments.
And we do well to recognize the affects that they can have on us with regard to our mental state and our ability to effectively process and deal with doubts. As a Pastor, I have many times said that my role in the life of a parishioner or any Christian or non-Christian in the community is to minister in Spirit, Scripture, and Sacrament. These ought to remain the focus of the church as well.
“(b) Faulty view of God: To have a wrong concept of God can be very instrumental in the formulation of doubt. And, of course, while it could be argued that no believer would have a perfect view of God, some specific patterns of thought are potentially more harmful than others. For instance, to believe that God does not answer prayers, especially during times of stress or that He is morally responsible for pain will frequently lead to constant personal crises. So if, as Guinness states, assurance depends on our view of God and His faithfulness; then this is certainly an area which needs constant cultivation and development.”
O, how many in our culture have an inaccurate or incomplete view of God! Overly ambitious preachers have made the Gospel into a message which is primarily about me and my happiness, rather than the message of reconciliation between God and man that we might be able to ascribe the unsurpassable worth of God in worship!
The Gospel does bring joy, it does bring happiness, and it does bring peace, but more than anything else, it brings humanity into a position of being able to relate rightly to the holy God of the universe that we might rightly worship Him! This live is not primarily about this life. It is about learning total dependence upon God and reflecting the overwhelming beauty of Christ in our lives!
Illustration
There is a painting in a palace in Rome by Reni. It is painted into the ceiling of the dome, over 100 feet high. To stand at floor level and look upward, the painting seems to be surrounded by a fog which leaves its content unclear. But in the center of the great dome room is a huge mirror, which in its reflection picks up the picture. By looking into the mirror you can see the picture with great clarity.
Jesus Christ, born in a manger at Bethlehem, is the mirror of God. In him we see a clear reflection of the Father. Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” No power on earth has done more to tame the hostile forces of humankind, and cause us to beat our swords in tools of useful productivity and our spears into peaceful instruments of creativity than this Child of Bethlehem, who came in weakness to lead us in strength.
That is what this life is primarily about. Reflecting Christ!
“(f) Judging by feelings: A very common problem, especially with Christians who lack assurance of salvation, comes from reactions based on one’s feelings. “Sometimes I don’t feel saved” or “I don’t have the same feeling which I used to” are regular fare for the counselor. In fact, the feeling that Christianity might not be true after all may besiege all believers at some point. Here again, one is reminded of Uncle Screwtape who challenges young demon Wormwood: “But there is a sort of attack on the emotions which can still be tried. It turns on making him feel . . . that all his religion has been a fantasy.”
We have to be very careful, especially in a modern church culture which is at times very driven by emotionalism and excitement, not to judge the level, character, or nature of our faith by emotions. I recall when I first came to Christ being so excited and consumed with enthusiasm for Christ. After the newness wore off I remember thinking that something was wrong or that His spirit had left me.
Indeed, nothing could have been further from the truth! In time enthusiasm changed into lasting passion and excitement into abiding trust and faith.
“(g) Christian hypocrisy: Doubt can sometimes be caused by observing the beliefs and actions of fellow believers. Barth lists religious wars, persecutions, inquisitions and questionable stances on such issues as "slavery, race, war, women’s rights, and social justice" as examples of the potentially offensive beliefs and behaviors of Christians which can, in turn, cause doubts.15 However, while to view what is believed to be unbiblical positions is disheartening, it does not directly deal with the issue of the truthfulness of the Christian world view at all. Perhaps we need to be confronted even more frequently with man’s failures; such could be a reminder of both the sinfulness from which God has rescued us and provide some impetus for further action.”
I knew a man once who told me that he was not a Christian because he knew too many of them to believe in their Gospel of hypocrisy! As a believer, his words stung me sharply. How many a person has been dissuaded from belief because of the careless actions or foolish choices of casual Christians unaware or ignorant of the power of the personal testimony?
Conclusion
The greatest remedy for doubt is to get to know the resurrected Jesus! For Thomas, it took touching the wounds of Christ to believe. While we can not touch Him physically today, we do have the gift of the Holy Spirit within us, testifying to us of the power and reality of our risen savior!
There are two tracks which are needed for a train to run. There are also two primary aspects of dealing with the “Thomas Factor” – doubt. In the courtroom of faith two witnesses testify with regard to the object of our faith. The physical evidence of an empty tomb, five hundred witnesses, the willingness of the disciples to be martyred, stacks up in support of faith.
The emotional evidence stacks up on the other side as the Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirit, as we recall past times and trials that the Lord brought us through, as we rightly encounter the God of all glory and beauty intimately through prayer and worship. The ultimate cure for doubt is to recognize what kind of doubt that it is and then to use that doubt as a springboard for growth in Christ.
Today, allow me to encourage you, God is big enough for our questions, but He is more rightly understood when we allow Him to be big enough for our adoration!
Amen.
(Reference “Dealing With Doubt,” Dr. Gary Habermas)
