Life on the West Side
Life on the West Side
A Faith Worthy Of Our Doubt
Doubt is something virtually all of us experience, but we don’t always know what to do with it. Our churches don’t always know what to do with it. I’m shocked and struck with awe at how many people in the Bible expressed their doubt.
Try this exercise. Find a single major argument against God that you’ve heard an atheist use that isn’t already included in the Bible itself. “Life seems meaningless?” You’ll find that in Ecclesiastes. “God can’t be good, or loving, or even there if bad things happen to good people.” That’s Job. “Evil flourishes and nothing gets done about it.” That’s in the Psalms and in Habakkuk. “My soul is crushed; I go looking for comfort from God, and I can’t find him.” Read Lamentations.
God doesn’t turn his back on questioners; he invites questioners! He honors them. He engages with those whose struggle with faith brings them face to face with difficulties. Don't let your doubts be a barrier to the faith community; see it as a sign that you belong with a faith community. See church as a community of questioners crying out "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mk 9:24)
The sermon today is titled "A Faith Worthy Of Our Doubt." It is the final installment in our "Worthy Faith" Series. The Scripture reading is from Mark 9:24 (ESV) and 1 Cor 8:1-3 (MSG). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 13, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Satisfying Faith.
Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):
- Philip Yancey, "Faith and Doubt."
- Ray Pritchard, "If I Believe, Why Do I Doubt?"
- Philip Yancey, Reaching For the Invisible God (Zondervan, 2000), Chapter 3.
- The Papal Condemnation of Galileo (1633)
- Julia Baird, "Doubt as a Sign of Faith," New York Times (Sep 25, 2014).
- William Lane Craig, "Doubt & Certainty."
- Timothy Keller, "Noah & the Reasons of Faith: Faith as Understanding" (Sep 18, 1994).
- St. Anselm, Proslogion.
- Andy Griffith Show Clip, "Opie Needs Help Running Away."
I'd love to connect with you!
- Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
- Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
- Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
