Robbing the Doubter of Faith

In a recent conversation--one of those precious rare conversations that go late into the night--someone asked us, "How is a person who doesn’t believe in God somehow considered worse in God’s eyes than, say, a murderer?" He was referring to the scripture Matthew 12:31, “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” He had come to understand that to "blaspheme God" meant to doubt or disbelieve. And thus he thought disbelief was the unforgiveable sin. He couldn't accept the idea that the Christian who beats his wife is better in God's eyes than the Atheist who treats his wife with love... and rightly so...

This man was made to feel evil for questioning his faith. He was made to believe that doubt was unforgiveable. And because of this, he was prevented from asking the questions which would help him find answers to dispel his doubts. And because he doubted, he believed he was disqualified from salvation. And that is the real tragedy in my eyes. He was robbed of his faith by fellow believers.

Too often, in the church setting, when someone has a question—one that challenges why we believe what we do—the response is to shut it down. When we don't know the answers, at best we patronize them. At worst we take offense. Or if we are dogmatic, we label them rebel or dissenter and exclude them from our social groups. We might even gossip about them and discredit their statements to others. We communicate with our actions that asking tough questions leads to rejection.

Why is that? Is it because we were taught not to question our pastors? Is it because we ourselves don't know the answer and we're too prideful to admit it? Are we afraid because the questions threaten our own faith?

We've been prevented from questioning, so we've had to simply accept what is fed to us from the pulpit. And sure, a lot of good comes from the pulpit. But if my faith is built solely on what my pastor says, then what's to stop me from being swayed by a more compelling, more charismatic person? That is a shaky foundation to build faith upon. If I’m not allowed to think critically about my deepest faith, how can I hold on to it when challenged by critical thinkers? 

Why do we think so many young people lose their faith when they go to college? When they are taught how to think critically--a vital component to learning--they start to ask more critical questions about their own faith. At church they're often given inadequate answers. Some, like my friend, don't feel they even have a right or a place to ask questions--because doubt is unforgiveable, right? But if you don’t know why you believe what you do, then you are not, “… prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”? (1 Peter 3:15).

Doubt is not the unforgiveable sin.

Many important characters in the Bible doubted God. Abraham let Sarah talk him into sleeping with her handmaid because she clearly doubted God would give her a child. God still gave them a child. Moses doubted that God could use him, lacking the talent to speak and questioned God. God still used Him to lead. Gideon put out a fleece three times because he doubted that God wanted him to be a leader on the basis that he was terrified. God still led him to save Israel. Thomas told his fellow disciples that he wouldn't believe Jesus had been raised from the dead unless he could touch the wounds on his body. And what did Jesus do? He walked straight up to Thomas and let him touch those wounds. God did not shun these people for doubting. He gladly and patiently answered their questions. He didn't say, "how dare you question me!" and abandon them. No! He remained faithful, and for each he took every opportunity to address and deal with their doubt. Sure, there are examples of God being frustrated by peoples' lack of faith, but their doubt was clearly and easily forgivable.

The strongest faith is one that has been confronted, questioned, wrestled with, and sought out. How can you love someone if you can't search them out and get to know them? How can you trust God if his people shut you down for asking questions? Without the ability to question your faith, you cannot build it well. You end up building your house on sand. That kind of house doesn't last. It crumbles in the storms of life.

A grounded person is one who can entertain and wrestle with the deep questions.

Lets give our fellow believers the tools to build their foundations strong.  Here's hoping that more of us will tackle those questions head-on.

(See Part 2 of my series, "Robbing the Giver of Joy")