• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection The core of doubt

The core of doubt

Posted on August 8, 2013 Written by Mark McIntyre 7 Comments


DoubtIn the story of Peter walking on the water, Matthew records Jesus’ response when Peter became frightened and started to sink. Jesus said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)

This phrase has often been interpreted as a rebuke of all doubt. The understanding is that Jesus is telling Peter that it was wrong to doubt, the inference being that all doubt is wrong. When this passage is preached in this way, the implication is that we should have complete control over our thought process and that all doubt can and should be removed from our minds. I have heard some preachers say that all doubt is sin.

Scripture does not support this assertion. I wonder if the preachers who make these claims have ever read the Psalms. David and the other psalmists ask lots of hard questions and reveal their doubts about God and frustrations with God. They are brutally honest about their struggles.

I also point to Jesus response to Thomas’ doubt. Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for his doubt; rather than a rebuke, Jesus offered evidence to Thomas (John 20:27). Jesus offered his battle scars to Thomas as proof of his identity.

If Jesus’ words to Peter are not a rebuke of all doubt, then what is the point of the question?

Perhaps we should understand the functional word to be “why.” Understood this way, Jesus is asking “what is at the core of doubt?” What is behind your doubt?

In defense of Peter, the fact that prior to that moment, no-one had ever walked on water would have been significant. The physical properties of water and the human body support the doubt. On the other hand, at this point in Jesus’ ministry, Peter had been exposed to previous suspensions of the laws of nature to know that Jesus was not limited by them.

Why did Peter doubt? The most obvious answer to this is that Peter focused on the seeming impossibility rather than upon the command of Jesus to come to him.

The efficacy of faith is determined by the reliability of the object of faith. Would it be unreasonable to supply the word “me” in Jesus’ question to Peter? Could the meaning of that question be properly interpreted as “why did you doubt me given the fact that you had seen me do so many incredible things before and I asked you to do this?”

In some cases doubt is driven by a desire for more evidence (as in the case of Thomas). The proper response to this form of doubt is to do additional investigation. But there is a point in our investigation of the facts about Jesus where we have to make a choice. The why question gets behind the evidence to expose what is at the core of how we interpret the evidence. We have to act on the evidence that is available, even as we continue our search for truth.

The why question that Jesus poses does not allow us to be content to remain in doubt. Agnosticism may be a legitimate layover point, but it is not a legitimate destination. As Geddy Lee points out, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”

“Why” is the functional question.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

On the importance of fellowship

Lately, I have run into a number of Christians who have dropped out of the habit of regular church attendance. Most of them have done so as a result of COVID-19 and churches being closed for “in-person” worship. It is so easy to do a live-stream service from the recliner with a cup of coffee […]

Divided Church

Play nicely with your fellow citizens

Too often I have experienced situations, even in good churches, where people lose sight of the fact that the person in the next pew is a fellow citizen, with the same access to God.

Moses

Moses as Leader – Do the right thing even when it’s not appreciated

Looking at Moses as Leader, it is clear that Moses did the right thing for his people. What is the application for leaders today?

Scrabble word Quality

Quantity versus Quality

My guess is that most Christians would agree that reading Scripture is a good thing. The fact that the Bible is a perennial best seller lends credence to this.

But what is the best way to read it? Should I keep to a reading schedule or take a little bit at a time. Do I want to focus on the quantity or the quality of my reading?

Bulletin

PA Atheist Files Complaint Against Restaurant Over Church Bulletin Discount

Reaction to an article in the Christian Post about an atheist who complained about a restaurant offering a “church bulletin discount.”

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
September 2023
SMTWTFS
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
« Jun    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in