Luke 7:18-20 WEB The disciples of John told him about all these things. 19 John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” 20 When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”
Sometimes we doubt
B1 If we are a Christian
B2 If Jesus existed
B3 If Jesus is whom He said He was
B4 If God exists
B5 If Christianity is true (stemming from hard questions like the problem of evil)
Some doubters in the Bible
B1 John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-20)
B2 Thomas the Apostle (John 20:24-29)
Doubt arises from
B1 Hard questions (people ask questions that have no easy answer or an answer that is different than expected, for example, the problem of evil).
B2 Hard experiences (for example, suffering)
B3 Wrong expectations (for example, Christians are always happy)
B4 Reminders of the past (for example, Was Paul’s thorn in the flesh satan’s reminding Paul of his evil past? See Acts 26:9-11 and 2 Corinthians 12:7)
B5 Ignorance or misunderstanding of Scriptures (for example, Eve in Genesis 3:1-6)
B6 Misunderstanding about prayer (for example praying for something and it doesn’t happen, so we think God doesn’t love me or God is not powerful enough)
Help
B1 Doubt is not a sin.
B2 Doubt is common.
B3 Christianity is a reasonable faith.
B4 Questions are welcomed (or at least they are supposed to be, for I have read of many who left the faith because their parents or pastor could not (or would not) answer even simple questions)
B4 Search for answers
C1 Many questions are not new questions and most likely you can find one answered online.
C2 Some sources:
D4 Be Thinking
D7 Creation Ministries International (frequently asked questions page)
D9 Lighthouse Trails Research (see side bar at the right for topics)
D10 Ariel Ministries (frequently asked questions page)
D11 And many others.
B5 Not understanding some topics
C1 Truth (Is There Objective Truth?)
C2 Worldview (How to Know Truth and Evaluate Competing Worldviews)
C3 Evil and Free Will (The Problem of Evil and Free Will)
B6 Proper Bible interpretation
C1 Regular definitions, not redefined words
C2 The Bible as the highest authority, instead of theology, philosophy, some teacher, etc. We have a reasonable faith regarding the inspiration of the Scriptures (see here and here).
C3 Resources:
D1 Bible Interpretation by Cooper Abrams III (long form, short form)
D3 Approach to Bible Prophecy by Precept Austin
D5 An example of handling a supposed contradiction: Bible Contradiction? Did Jesus ask God to save him from crucifixion?
B7 Praying and understanding prayer
C1 Prayer is simply talking with God.
C2 Prayer is fellowship with God (1 Corinthians 1:9, John 14:7,
C3 Prayer is seriously seeking fellowship with God (Psalm 42:1-2)
C4 Prayer is not
D1 Being united with God (being in one with God)
D2 Experiencing His presence
D3 Hearing His voice
D4 Manipulating God is some way
D5 Saying some formula that guarantees God’s answer
D6 Expecting answers and blessings in prayer when living the lifestyle of the flesh (the sinful desires of the flesh being followed) See James 4:1-4.
C3 Resources
Doubts
B1 We need to believe God. Belief is not an experience. It is not a feeling. We can have a rotten, depressive day when nothing goes well, but we can still know God loves us. Don’t we consider our friends and family still love us when we have a bad day? (Hebrews 3:12-13, Hebrews 2:1)
B2 Many of the Psalms deal with doubt. It is good to read them. God is a wonderful counselor. He wants to hear our complaint. (See Psalm 13, Psalm 38, Psalm 69, etc.).
B3 God is an encourager. (Romans 15:4)
B4 God does not forsake or abandon us. (Isaiah 41:10). Even in temptation He does not leave us (1 Corinthians 10:13).
B5 The Christian life sometimes is discouraging. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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