Francis Bacon, a former Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain once remarked: If we begin with certainties, we shall end in doubts; but if we begin with doubts, and are patient in them, we shall end in certainties. Proverbs 3:5-8 confirms: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Doubt is defined as a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. It happens from time to time in everybody’s life. When we incur doubt, we may feel unsure about the facts presented, we may feel insecure and may even suffer fear. However, doubt can arise in two separate forms, believing and unbelieving. Believing doubt has a valid place in society, it is not a negative response that can be brushed off simply as hesitation or indecision. It is doubt from which one can learn. It can have value, assurity and show conviction. It includes firm faith and may even lead to growth. Unbelieving doubt is personal and challenges, it is not from God. Hebrews 11:1 confirms: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Under English criminal law, there is a statutory obligation that the prosecution counsel in a court case has a legal responsibility to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the defendant is actually guilty of the crime charged. This is called the “Burden of Proof.” Unless this is satisfied beyond question, then in justice, the accused must be found not guilty. Those serving on a jury also have a commitment to follow the same rule. The evidence presented must confer that no other possibility is reasonably viable, given the stipulated facts of the case. This can relate to both guilt and innocence.
John 20:19-29 reminds us: On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
This passage relates to the first appearance of Jesus to His disciples after His resurrection. A Joyous experience indeed for the select few in attendance. Glad tidings were in abundance at that small gathering. However, Thomas with the assumed doubt of his fellow disciple’s words has perhaps been unfairly branded as “Doubting Thomas” for his skepticism and even possibly accused of lacking faith. But, was it a lack of faith or perhaps the more acceptable response of just caution?
Distrust or suspicion are other factors that may enter the equation. Should we always believe what others tell us without question, or should we sometimes undertake our own investigation to confirm or deny the given facts? In reality, although Thomas has been cynically named “Doubting Thomas” for his considered disbelief, was that such a good judgment? Sometimes, for the sake of truth, it is prudent to ask for verification that something is genuine and not fake. That can apply to many situations in life and may just save one from a wrong or misguided decision or direction.
If a person is searching for an antique to add and adorn their possessions, the knowledge that the item found is genuine and not a fake is of significant importance and creates much pleasure. Verification can’t be considered as doubt, it is a separate entity that can often safeguard or protect.
It implies the significance of considering the possibility that further information or guidance needs to be sought to establish genuineness or truth. John 16:13 reminds us: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
Faith sometimes has to be blind. Of certain things in life there can be no actual guarantee. Evidence may not be forthcoming with sufficient authentication to prove beyond doubt that something exists or is genuine. However, without faith we have nothing. For many things, faith has to be encouraged. But, while this is important, an element of caution is also sometimes worthwhile.
If someone accepts everything they are told without question, then occasionally problems may occur as a result. Some have suggested that the doubt of Thomas was an actual loss of faith in the resurrection. However, nowhere in the Bible is that actually stated. He was a loyal and trusting disciple who loved Jesus.
The other disciples believed because they had seen for themselves Jesus before them with the appropriate proof, creating no doubt in their minds. But, Thomas had not seen this for himself. He didn’t say “I don’t believe” but rather “I won’t believe until I have seen for myself.” His words may have been misinterpreted. All he may have wished for was to verify for himself the wonderment of Christ’s resurrection. Is that such a bad thing?
In conclusion, it has been said that doubt is a mental state in which the mind remains suspended between two or more contradictory propositions, unable to be certain of any of them. Doubt on an emotional level is indecision between belief and disbelief. Perhaps, in this particular case, caution, not doubt, might have been a more benevolent word? Ephesians 5:15 reminds us: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.”
Amen.
