How do “real” Christians deal with doubt? – Christina
The gateway drug was “Velvet Elvis”, Rob Bell‘s first book that anybody had ever heard of, and it was amazing! I read through it in a matter of hours over the course of two days and afterwards I pretty much devoured anything he wrote or anything he said online via his messages. I could not get enough of what Bell had to say, and it begun to have a serious influence in my life. One book/video after another he began to break down the systematic theology I believed until I all of a sudden, it became easy to ask myself, “Is this ‘Jesus dying and rising from the dead’ thing just like all of the other things I broke down?” And I was a pastor!
If you think about it, 2000 years removed from Jesus actual death, burial, and resurrection, armed with a ton of information about the world, the way it works, and what others around it think, via the internet, having a Christian faith and not doubting in any way pretty much makes someone a liar instead of a Super Christian. “I am a believer, and I have supernaturally put away my thoughts and opinions about life because what…?” Because of what I was told as a child, or because of some kind people who took care of me and loved on me when I was going through some hard circumstances?
One becomes a believer, Scripture is clear, when they are confronted, not by information, but by the Spirit-driven realization that Jesus is Lord, and that through His death, burial, and resurrection, everything has been set right, and now we can live in freedom by placing ourselves under his control.
But this is no small feat.
Many adults today who grew up in the latter part of the 20th century believe they are Christians because they were told something that they literally believed could be true, like believing John F Kennedy was shot or that the earth is round. Unfortunately that belief never translated to the aforementioned description of how one becomes a believer. So they get hit hard with doubt, and the truth is, they should. Many of them were told as children to believe something, or made the decision because at one point they were emotional and nervous that they’d end up in hell, which is not an evangelism tool of the Spirit if ones believes in the New Testament. Eventually though they are faced with the question of belief and what that means.
Many “Christians” in the wilderness who find themselves there because of a church split or because of anger or bitterness in their lives, or maybe just because things went that way, come to a point where they doubt. Even extremely healthy people have doubt. But how does one deal with that doubt? Here are some ways I have:
1. Stay in tune instead of just staying busy
Part of Christianity in the last 100 years has been Christians staying busy doing Christiany things. If it’s not a Christmas play, it’s an Easter cantata. If it’s not Sunday morning worship, it’s cleaning the house for Wednesday night small group. The Christian who stays busy is “makin it happen for Jesus”. This of course is not true, but as soon as you stop and slow down or are forced to do that in many situations, it becomes easy to ask yourself, “What the hell was I doing, anyways?” Then you are confronted with doubt.
You don’t have to live in chaos however just because you need to feel busy for Jesus. You do need to be tuned in to the power of God. That requires prayer and meditation, instead of just to do lists and calendars. You don’t need a calendar to make a call and spend time with a Christian friend. You don’t need a to do list to serve someone who needs some love. But you do need to be in tune with the Holy Spirit to maintain your desire to follow after Jesus as He calls.
2. Read theologians and not just practitioners
My problem with Bell didn’t end up being that he wasn’t a great writer. Far from it, and I don’t have as many problems with him as many of my evangelical friends do. A healthy dose of Christian practice books however, need to be balanced out by reading Christian theologians, even if they can be academic.
Substance is important when it comes to the Christian walk, and though I really like Bell, Donald Miller, Jen Hatmaker, Brian MClaren, and the scores of other postmodern thinkers writing for Christianity, their deepness and knowledge of certain subjects only goes so far, to the point where they end up asking more questions than making a statement. Hear me out. I’m not saying that is bad, but what I am saying is that also needs to be counteracted with statements focusing on what Christianity is, and Academics do far more study and research on the Bible than pastors do.
N.T Wright planted a huge catalyst of Christian wisdom in my brain at the same time as Bell was asking important questions of his faith. That doesn’t mean I stay away from Bell’s thoughts. It means just because I read them doesn’t mean he’s right no matter how creative he is in his books.
3. Don’t let go of what called you to Jesus in the first place
There may have been a time you gave your life to Christ! I love that, and beg you to keep that fire hot, constantly following after Him and His commands through the power of the Spirit of God. You are called. You are chosen. You are redeemed. You are a part of His bride. In Revelation, John writes a few short comments to the churches in Asia, and to one in Ephesus he says, “You have forsaken the love you had at first. ” This is not an uncommon trait for a Christian staying busy and living a “good life” devoid of the power of God.
There is a purpose and a calling that God has for you, and don’t be suckered into living someone else’s calling. You be you. Figure out why God called you and what He wants you to do. Stay strong against the torrent of doubt that filters through the air of the 21st century. You don’t have to know it all like the previous century, but you can know the one who does know it all, and trust in Him to work and guide through you.
How has doubt come in and out of your life? What are things that God used to show Himself to you? I’d love to get some conversation about this topic going here on the Holman Report!
#doubt #faith #holmanreport #church #gospel
Written by Marty Holman
Sit at the feet of Jesus – in prayer, fellowship with the Holy Spirit, being in the Word is what helps strengthen me. Staying focused on the basics of who I am in Christ and what His desire is for me, and who He is. Being intentional about getting into the Word, and not just reading for volume or feeding on what others say – I mean getting first hand knowledge what God says, thinking about what you read – meditating on even a single verse helps plant it in your heart and then you get revelation from the Holy Spirit that nothing can shake. He makes it real, He brings spiritual wisdom and understanding, and as I walk out the word, believing it and putting my actions towards it, then I get to really “know” (experience) Christ. And no one can take away the foundation these things establish. Recognizing the tactics of the enemy is important, too. He will try to separate you from truth, so knowing the truth is key. Hold every thought captive against the knowledge of God. We can do that, and it makes room for God to work in us and through us. And you are absolutely right, Marty – be you. You have to be ok with who He’s created you to be in Him. Not someone else, not meeting someone else’s expectation or calling, but living to the standard of the Word as you are able, continually growing in it, and being ok with that.
Thanks so much Kim! You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for your input here and for your constant encouragement and fellowship in Him. Love what God has done in your life.