The Nature of Doubt

“How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” - Zechariah (Luke 1:18)
“How will this be since I am a virgin?” - Mary (Luke 1:34)

After Gabriel annunced to Zechariah and Mary they could expect a new child in their families, they both responded by asking how this was going to happen.  In Zechariah's case, his question was greeted by apparent anger at his disbelief, and he spent the next nine months unable to speak because of his doubt.  Sixteen verses later we see Mary's reaction to Gabriel's announcement that she would have a child as a virgin.  She was puzzled and asked how this could be.  In her case, the same angel responds with a compassionate answer that seems to satisfy her sense of wonder.  Her doubt was answered with a reasonable explanation.

And so goes the biblical theme of doubt.  There is a sense in which doubt is not only expected, it is a means that prompts people to look more deeply into what they believe.  Other times doubt seems to be interpreted as indicative of a lack of faith.  I suspect that if we could hear the differences in the tone of voice used by Zechariah and Mary we would be able to tell the difference.  It is one thing to face moments of weakness or to wonder by what mechanism God will bring about His purposes.  But it is another to live in a state of disbelief or question whether God will make good on His word.  Granted it is a fine line, but I believe it to be an important one.

I've begun reading The Reason for God by Timothy Keller.  In the introduction and first chapter of the book, he deals with "the sociology of knowledge."  This is the idea that we believe much of what we believe not on the basis of factual evidence, but on cultural approval of certain belief systems.  While these factors certainly play a large role in presenting us with options at different stages in our lives, they are not decisive.  He also encourages us to question our questions.

The fundamental belief systems underlying our doubts often get a pass when it comes to intellectual scrutiny.  We doubt certain things taught by Scripture, but what is the belief system that drives those doubts?  And is that system of thinking as sound as we presume it to be?  Keller writes, "The only way to doubt Christianity rightly and fairly is to discern the alternate belief under each of your doubts and then to ask yourself what reasons you have for believing it."  I strongly suspect this will not be commonly practiced, but it is great counsel.

As a Christian, I regularly question my belief system.  On more difficult days, I lean back on two pieces of evidence I've scrutinized over and over and seem to me to be rock solid.  They are creation, which makes me a theist, and the resurrection, which makes me a Christian specifically.  Moments of questioning and weakness have become pretty infrequent at this point in my journey.  God has proven himself over and over to the point where the preponderance of evidence makes any alternative seem ridiculous most of the time.  But when they come, its nice to have more than feeling in which to place my confidence and faith.