THE VALUE OF DOUBT

Many of us struggle with doubt even though we have faith and want to believe. For many people doubt is difficult because of the damage done them in childhood or in the trauma of life. Doubt may have its roots in our basic temperament, or our particular stage in life. Doubt and faith co-exist for many. Yet that may be more normal than you imagine. In fact, there may be a value in experiencing doubt.

Gary E. Parker has written about this in his book, The Gift of Doubt: From crisis to authentic faith. He claims that doubt can do us good, that doubt is not always evil, and that doubt can help us to have a stronger faith. “If we maintain an openness to new truth …we might find that uncertainty can actually enliven and strengthen our faith. Dr. Clark Pinnock proposes, ‘There is also a good side to this sort of uncertainty… Doubt can spur deeper reflection and further discovery…. Doubting may lead to greater certainty.’”

First of all, doubt can test the truth of faith. Thomas Gutherie wrote, “Are not many damned just because they never doubt? They go on, satisfied with themselves; not doubting but that they are on the right course, when every step they take leads them further and further astray.” An unexamined faith may be a false faith.

Second, doubt destroys faith that doesn’t deserve our continued allegiance. A naïve trust in something or someone who doesn’t deserve it is destructive. People learn that too much faith in corrupt political leaders, or unfaithful spouses, or fair-weather friends leads to disappointment. Thinking the best of someone, who continually lets you down and doesn’t follow through on promises, is unhealthy. To continue to believe in something that has proved itself unworthy of our faith shows our credulity rather than our common sense.

Third, doubt enhances a faith that proves itself worthy of commitment. Doubt takes faith and exercises it so that it cannot help but grow stronger. If faith never encounters doubt, if truth never struggles with error, if good never battles with evil, how can faith know its own power? How can it enhance its power if it never exercises its perception? A faith that struggles with doubt becomes strong through that struggle.

Rufus Jones (1863-1948), the Quaker pastor and teacher in Maine once wrote,

“A twice-born faith, a rebuilt faith, is superior to an inherited faith that has never stood the strain of a great testing storm. If you have not clung to a broken piece of your old ship in the dark night of the soul, your faith may not have the sustaining power to carry you through to the end of the journey.”

Fourth, doubt forces us to find reasons for our faith. Many deny that doubt has any value. This attitude flies in the face of the biblical approach where the apostles argued, debated, and discussed, with people of many faiths, in order to prove the validity of their claims. We cannot expect people to listen to our beliefs if we cannot explain the reasons for our faith. Doubt forces us to express our belief in coherent and rational statements. Doubt makes us deal honestly with the troublesome issues of life. Faith does not require us to bury our heads in the sand lest we be disturbed. True faith will enable us to look difficulties in the eye, and respond with integrity to the truth we know. If you struggle with misgivings and uncertainties, do not be forced by a false sense of Christian piety to hide your doubts. Faithful men and women in history have struggled greatly with the fire of doubt burning within them.

Like a fire that burns away the underbrush so new trees can reach new heights, our doubts can help us achieve a faith that grows stronger and reigns supreme in spite of the uncertainties we often face. I don’t believe everything people tell me. The world is filled with people trying to sell me something that will benefit them rather than me. Too many people are ripped off by con artists. If something is too good to be true it usually is. Doubt in these cases is very valuable. It may prevent you from losing your shirt. It is healthy to question the claims of others.

(Ted Schroder, Buried Treasure, 22-26, Soul Food, Volume 1, 159-162)