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One Minute Apologist - Doubting Toward FaithSample

One Minute Apologist - Doubting Toward Faith

DAY 6 OF 10

WHAT IS EVIDENTIAL DOUBT?

The evidential doubter collects questions like beachcombers collect seashells. Just like the ocean before him, the questions feel endless and seemingly inexhaustible. Remember, we don’t have to collect every seashell in order to understand seashells.

The person voicing evidential doubt sounds something like this: “Is there enough evidence to believe that Christianity is true? How can I know the evidence hasn’t been tampered with? Let’s unpack some of these doubts.

First, every belief system has its questions. Asking questions is part of the human story. We are rational beings who think, reflect, refine, and wrestle through our existence to better know truth. The real question is, “Which set of beliefs best answers life’s weightiest questions?” This is where Christianity can rise to the challenge for the believer.

Second, it’s obvious that omniscience isn’t achievable for us, so we shouldn’t bother striving for it. That’d be a waste of time and an exercise in futility.

Third, just because we’re not omniscient doesn’t mean we’re doomed to a life of agnosticism. It’s actually okay to be agnostic (ignorant, lacking in knowledge) about some things, but we don’t have to be agnostic about everything. Even the agnostic believes in some things.

Fourth, while Christianity doesn’t answer all of our questions, it does answer the essential ones sufficiently. Questions about the existence of God, the resurrection of Jesus, the rise of the church, and many other pertinent questions about our faith can be answered with reasonable evidence for the faith-seeker.

Fifth, we should refuse to be all or nothing in our approach to truth. One of the dangers with some streams of evangelicalism is a rigidness that leaves no room for mystery, inquisitiveness, ambiguity, and theological tensions. They contend, “The mature Christian is the one who can put all the pieces together,” and they will brand us if we don’t agree with every belief contained inside their doctrinal box.

It’s through thinking that we are able to believe. God never bypasses the mind on His way to the heart. He designed us to think, reason, and search. Based on the evidence He provides, we can confidently believe and DOUBT TOWARD FAITH.

REFLECTION

Spend some time researching the evidence that exists for the Christian faith. Ask God to help you experience Him even though you might not have all the answers.

 

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About this Plan

One Minute Apologist - Doubting Toward Faith

We all have doubts, and those doubts can lead to confusion and hopelessness. But, doubt can also deepen our dependence on God, develop empathy for others, and motivate us to find satisfying answers to life's biggest questions. Don't let doubts erode your faith and lead you into unbelief. Discover today how to use your doubts to keep you headed in the right direction- toward faith.

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Adapted from: DOUBTING TOWARD FAITH Copyright © 2015 Bobby Conway Published by Harvest House Publishers Eugene, Oregon www.harvesthousepublishers.com Used by Permission. For more information, please visit: http://doubtingtowardfaith.com