Faith and Doubt

Book Review.

Ortberg, John. Faith & Doubt. Zondervan. 2008.

Comment. Henry.

Here is the sequel to ‘Water Walking”. John has addressed the topics of doubt and uncertainty in a way that will be (is) very helpful. In as much that all of us struggle or at least are challenged by these two issues, this book has a very wide appeal. This is apologetics on a very practical level.

“I must have truth, therefore I doubt. I must have hope, therefore I believe.” (16) A newborn stimulates faith. A death of such a newborn stimulates doubt. We all deal with doubt and faith. To claim one of these without the other is arrogance. “The wounds of all humanity are an unanswered question.” Nicolas Walterstorff, Yale philosopher.

It is important that we have deeply held beliefs. When we define these beliefs we define ourselves. We need to answer the question; “What do I really believe?” (41) Answers to that question may be based on public convictions, private convictions, and/or the convictions of Jesus. All those who say they trust in Jesus do not display the same convictions.

There is something about life in this universe that leaves us with a strong feeling that we are not at home, yet. This is brought home by the words of Jesus in John 14; 1&2. Faith has some interesting beginnings in people’s lives. They are often ‘mountain top’ experiences. Hence the term, ‘leap of faith’. It suggests risk with commitment based on reason. For philosopher Mortimer Adler this was “a leap from assent to devotion”. (74) We all come off the mountain and return to the valley where we deal with ongoing life with all its ‘ifs’.

We all hope. “Hope is faith waiting for tomorrow.” (85) Faith must have an object. Ortberg identifies three areas where he experiences doubt and explains how this impacts his faith. He struggles with the lack of proof regarding the truth that God is. He struggles with the actions of some Christians. He struggles with the issue of pain. It is very difficult to deal with God’s silences. Realizing the silence of a universe with no God might be a place to start to understand God’s silences.

Doubt can have good and/or bad outcomes. It can rob us of confidence and hope. It often results in double-mindedness. When doubt is motivated by hope the results are positive. Doubt however, can lead to cynicism and rebellion.

Uncertainty creates an environment where trust (faith) can be developed and flourish. It can produce character (humility). A search for truth which results in growth can be launched by doubt. Believing does not happen apart from doing.

Ortberg gives a number of reasons why he believes there is a God. These reasons are not doubt-free. “To demand doubt-free proof carries too high a price.” (153) “There is simply no one more worth trusting than Jesus” (166 and he said there is a God.

The ‘leap of faith’ is illustrated with the analogy of the flying trapeze. Such a performance involves three parts; “letting go, waiting, being caught”. (169) Absolute trust and the relinquishing of control must happen. Because of the prevalence of doubt it could be said that, “The Christian faith is bi-polar” Frederick Dale Bruner. “Jesus believed there is a Catcher, and he does not have sweaty hands”. (177)