Others often see doubt in Christianity as a weakness in a person’s faith. Usually, the accuser will degrade, disregard, and even belittle another for having any doubts. This attitude is turning away people from the Christian faith more than ever.
Within the last decade, 12% of Americans have left Christianity, going from 77% to 65% (Pew Research). The reason behind this drastic departure? According to the Public Religion Research Institute, it’s because “they just stopped believing in its teachings”, a.k.a, they have lost their conviction to believe (Katie Couric Media).
Instead of encouraging those who are struggling with their faith, many Christians are shunning them. Instead of helping, they degrade and diminish their concerns, and tell them to “stop worrying about it and just believe”. But how can one be expected to have faith when that faith hasn’t been ignited within them? We don’t just accept facts without evidence. We accept facts because we’ve seen them proven. We require proof.
If you happen to be among those fortunate individuals who have embraced Christianity without deep contemplation, that’s fantastic! However, it’s important to recognize that not everyone arrives at their faith journey so effortlessly. Some of the most profound Christian thinkers have grappled with their faith, as seen in the struggles of figures like C.S. Lewis in ‘Mere Christianity,’ Mother Teresa in her private correspondence, and Philip Yancey in ‘Disappointment with God.’ I believe that faith and doubt are intertwined, just as Paul Tillich states:
“Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith”.
Doubt is an essential element to help a Christian grow. Doubt is powerful. It can urge Christians forward to help them discover and understand the purpose of life. Doubt can push us beyond our struggles and make us venture outside of our comfort zone.
Christians without doubt are like stagnant water, lacking the currents of questioning and growth that propel them forward in their faith journey.
But wait, isn’t doubt what pushes Christians away? Yes, you’re correct. Doubt can unfortunately be the propeller that pushes Christians away. The difference is what you do with it. In his book ‘Mere Christianity’, C.S. Lewis talks about his struggles with his faith, specifically his atheistic doubts. He states:
“Now Faith, in the sense in which I am here using the word, is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods. For moods will change, whatever view your reason takes. I know that by experince. Now that I am a Christian I do have moods in which the whole thing looks very improbable: but when I was an athiest I had moods in which Christianity looked terribly probable. This rebellion of your moods against your real self is going to come anyway. That is why faith is such as necessary virtue: unless you teach your moods ‘where they get off’, you can never be either a sound Christian or even a sound athiest, but just a creature dithering to and fro, with its beliefs really dependent on the weather and the state of its digestion. Consequently one must train the habit of faith.”
When doubt arises, we must search for the truth. We must not focus on our moods but on our intellect, on things we once accepted. Instead of pushing the doubt away, we must embrace it, seek guidance from God through prayer, and seek knowledge both from the Bible and from strong Christians. We must train our faith constantly. If we don’t, we are likely to fall away from Christ (2 Timothy 2:12).
While you may be struggling right now, remember that doubt, when managed correctly, will help you ultimately grow as a Christian. Don’t seek out answers from unbelievers or those who don’t take your doubts seriously. Surround yourself with those who experience the same struggles, the ones who are fighting for their faith, and who will encourage you to stay strong.
If you hold the belief that doubting individuals are less committed Christians, it’s time to reconsider. Such judgments are unhelpful and can contribute to the erosion of someone’s faith in Christ. Let’s be mindful of our words, recognizing that what we say in such pivotal moments can have a lasting impact. Moreover, it may be worthwhile to reflect more profoundly on your own beliefs, for the Bible reminds us to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15-16).” In conclusion, Christians must reframe doubt as a valuable companion on their faith journey, rather than an adversary. Doubt has the potential to fortify faith, not diminish it. Those who embrace their doubts exemplify true faithfulness, for they demonstrate a deep commitment to exploring life’s profound questions and seeking meaningful answers (Romans 5:3).
