Faith and Doubt: Doubt in the Bible
Alright everyone, welcome back! In our last post, we talked about how a little bit of uncertainty is just part of the package when it comes to faith. Today, I want to look at some real-life examples – straight from the Bible – of people who walked this journey of faith and had their fair share of doubts along the way. It's pretty encouraging to see that we're not alone in our questions!
Even Jesus' Crew Had Questions: Doubt in the Bible
So, we've established that uncertainty is a normal part of belief. But sometimes, when those doubts creep in, it can feel like we're the only ones struggling. That's why I find it so comforting to look at the Bible and see that even the people closest to Jesus had their moments of questioning. It kind of normalizes the whole experience, doesn't it?
The Story of "Doubting" Thomas
Let's start with a classic: Thomas, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. You probably know him as "Doubting Thomas," but as one article pointed out, that nickname might miss the bigger picture. After Jesus was resurrected, he appeared to the other disciples, but Thomas wasn't there. When they told him, "We've seen the Lord!", Thomas wasn't convinced. He famously said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe"1 [John 20:25].
Think about it from Thomas's perspective. He had witnessed Jesus' crucifixion and burial. The idea of him coming back to life was pretty extraordinary! Thomas wanted tangible proof, something he could see and touch. And what's amazing is how Jesus responded. He didn't get angry or dismiss Thomas's doubts. A week later, Jesus appeared again, and this time Thomas was there. Jesus invited him to touch his wounds, saying, "Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe" [John 20:27]. Thomas's response? A powerful declaration: "My Lord and my God!" [John 20:28].
This story tells us so much. It shows us that honest doubt, when we bring it to Jesus, can actually lead to a deeper faith. Jesus met Thomas exactly where he was, with patience and understanding. And while Jesus did say, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" [John 20:29], he didn't condemn Thomas for needing that physical evidence.
It Wasn't Just Thomas
But Thomas wasn't the only one. If we look through the Gospels, we see other instances where the disciples showed doubt, fear, or just plain didn't understand what was going on. Remember the time they were in a boat during a terrible storm? Even though Jesus was right there with them, they panicked and cried out, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" [Matthew 8:25]. Their fear in that moment suggests they doubted Jesus' ability to protect them, even after seeing him perform miracles.
And how many times did Jesus try to explain to them that he would suffer, die, and then rise again? They just couldn't seem to grasp it [Luke 9:43-45]. This shows a kind of intellectual uncertainty, maybe even doubt about the path Jesus was saying he had to take. Even Peter, who boldly declared Jesus as the Christ, later denied knowing him three times out of fear [Matthew 26:69-75]. That's a pretty significant lapse in faith in a moment of crisis.
What's really striking is that these were Jesus' closest companions, the ones who walked and talked with him daily, who witnessed his incredible miracles firsthand. Yet, they still had moments of doubt and uncertainty. This is so encouraging for us! It reminds us that doubt isn't some kind of spiritual disease that only affects those with weak faith. It's a part of the human experience, even for the most devoted followers.
Doubt in the Old Testament Too? Absolutely!
It's not just a New Testament thing either. If you look back at the Old Testament, you'll find plenty of examples of people wrestling with doubt and questioning God. Think about Abraham, often called the father of faith. When God promised him a son in his old age, Abraham's initial reaction was to laugh – a sign of skepticism [Genesis 17:17].
Then there's Gideon, who God called to deliver Israel. Gideon wasn't exactly brimming with confidence and kept asking for signs to confirm God's call [Judges 6]. Even the Psalms are full of raw and honest expressions of doubt and questioning, where the writers grapple with feelings of abandonment and uncertainty about God's justice and faithfulness.
What Can We Learn From Their Doubts?
Looking at these biblical accounts, a few things really stand out:
Doubt is a normal part of the journey: Even people who had direct encounters with God or Jesus experienced doubt.
God often responds with patience and understanding: Instead of condemnation, we often see God meeting people in their uncertainty, offering reassurance or even evidence.
Doubt doesn't have to be the end of faith: In many of these stories, doubt actually becomes a stepping stone to a stronger and more informed faith.
It's pretty clear that doubt isn't a modern invention or a sign of failure. It's been a part of the human experience of faith for centuries. In our next post, we'll start to explore how this wrestling with doubt can actually lead to something positive in our spiritual lives. Stay tuned!