Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Faith and Doubt

I am a Christian, but I am open to the possibility that God does not exist. This is not at all a paradox: I find that doubt and belief go hand-in-hand:

  • Intellectually, I have not seen a good proof of God's existence. Ergo doubt. But at the same time, I find the Christian story to be both credible and compelling. It answers deep philosophical questions within me.
  • Emotionally, I find the prospect of a morally relative world filled with selfish beasts to be horrifying. I am appalled by injustice. I am troubled by my own inadequacy and mortality. I find the Christian story of justice, mercy and love more than just comforting, I find it joyful.
  • Volitionally, I have decided to walk with Jesus. I have decided to try to do his will, even when I doubt, or am sad, or am angry. I pray to him, I read his words, I commune with his people. And in return for my decision, he has blessed me with assurance and joy.

So I am not 100% sure that God exists, but I have found that he rewards my obedience and search for him. I have found this verse to be true:
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:13

3 comments:

  1. God bless you. See you on Quora!

    I had to comment as "Anonymous", because I don't have any of those other profiles. This is Chad Fisher from Quora.

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  2. I followed you here from Quora. Well expressed indeed!

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  3. I too believe that the words of Jesus as recorded in the gospels inspire us to live a better life and build a better world. I find them convincing on an intellectual, emotional,practical and spiritual level. I think it's enough to accept that God's spirit was with him, without needing to go further and assent to the definition of Chalcedon. It might be right but I don't feel compelled to accept it. "Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?". "Then feed my sheep."

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