Week One

If I truly have faith, why do I have doubts? Is it ok to question?

[Thomas] could not be sure that the print of the nails, which the apostles told him they had seen, would admit the putting of his finger into it, or the wound in his side the thrusting in of his hand; nor was it fit to deal so roughly with a living body; yet Thomas ties up his faith to this evidence. . . . The open avowal of this in the presence of the disciples was an offence and discouragement to them. It was not only a sin, but a scandal. As one coward makes many, so does one believer, one sceptic, making his brethren's heart to faint like his heart, Deu. 20:8. Had he only thought this evil, and then laid his hand upon his mouth, to suppress it, his error had remained with himself; but his proclaiming his infidelity, and that so peremptorily, might be of ill consequence to the rest, who were as yet but weak and wavering.

-Matthew Henry Commentary on John 20:19-25

Growing up in the church, many of us know the story – and stigma – associated with “doubting Thomas.” So it seemed appropriate to start a “tough questions” small group with the issue of doubt itself. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on John, seems to take a disapproving view of doubt on the part of Christians; even more so when they express those doubts to others. But is doubt really such a problem? Does it depend, in part, on the nature or origin of the doubt? When we have doubts, how should we respond?

Possible readings:

Michael Gleghorn, Dealing With Doubt.

Mark Buchanan, The Benefit of the Doubt.

Camerin Courtney, The Gift of Doubt.

C.S. Lewis, The Joyful Christian, Belief; Belief and Disbelief; Faith, p. 128-35 (Simon and Schuster 1996)

Lee Strobel, The Case for Faith, Objection #8 – I Still Have Doubts, So I Can’t Be a Christian