“…in later years he made a point of quoting Georg Christoph Lichtenberg: ‘There is a great difference between still believing something and believing it again.’ All his beliefs were beliefs again.”
As one who has experienced some severe seasons of doubt about the Christian faith, I definitely resonate with this quote.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2007/dec/06/auden-and-god/?pagination=false
Noted Stanford anthropologist (technically a psychological anthropologist), Tanya Luhrmann, has written a fascinating book. In it, she describes hanging out with various Charismatic Christians to determine whether they are actually hearing God speak or perhaps crazy.
Luhrmann’s account shows the limitations of saying one is a “detached observer.” Yes, she does serious academic work, and yes she seeks to be objective, but let’s face it, this is a decidedly subjective issue.
Luhrmann’s graciousness and even sympathy for those involved in her study moves her own beliefs some. Read and see what I am talking about, but more importantly, whether God is still talking today.
A short time ago I read an article about a former pastor who became a skeptic. The post 9/11 world did not make sense to him. He figured there could be no God in such a world. This is nothing new.
Andrew Delbanco has famously said Americans went from believing in the providence of God prior to the Civil War to believing in luck after it. Too much carnage took place for one to keep believing in a God who is good and in control of all things.
I also struggle to make sense of these realities, yet I am perplexed by those who choose to bail on the Christian faith.
The Bible makes it clear that we are living in a broken world where the most hideous things imaginable will take place. Make sure to digest that important truth. If “delicate women” will boil their own children for food (see Deut. 28:53-57), we know there is the capacity for all kinds of evil.
Further, if God had not made it clear that I will not understand many things this side of heaven, I also would consider bailing on the Christian faith. However, God has made it clear we will only understand very little this side of heaven when it comes to processing evil and suffering. There is quite a bit underscoring this reality in Scripture (for example Deut. 29:29; Job 38-42; Isa. 55:8,9; I Cor. 13:12)
Luther, like the Psalmists (note plural), struggled with the silence of God, even the God who seems to hide Himself at times.
So I wonder what Bible the pastor turned skeptic was reading. I trust you are reading and digesting the entire Bible!
This is my third and final post on Dan’s terrific book. There is much I could say about The Skeptical Believer and the previous two posts will give you a good feel for my enthusiasm about it. If you go to the categories on the right side of the home page and click “doubt” you will easily locate those previous two posts.
I appreciate Dan’s candor with his own struggles to believe, yet he remains hopeful and resolute in clinging to Christ. He speaks with compassion to the doubter, but he is also willing to give a nice kick in the intellectual seat of the pants if it is called for.
If you struggle with doubt, or know someone who does, make sure to add this to your early Christmas list!
Atheism can help us Christians in many ways. Christian philosopher, Merold Westphal, wrote a terrific piece called “Atheism for Lent.” In it, he mentions how Marx, Nietzsche, and even Freud can help us better reflect the humility Scripture so regularly encourages. Even though it is not Lent, these insights are valuable to consider any time of the year!
My friend, Helen Reeves, handed me this article. A poignant reminder of God placing “eternity in our hearts.” (Ecc. 3:11)
http://www.weeklystandard.com/author/diane-scharper#
http://www.amazon.com/The-Skeptical-Believer-Telling-Stories/dp/0970651155/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Again, Dan has some well-chosen quotes to lead off each chapter. Here is one by Samuel Johnson: “The existence of twilight is not an argument against the distinction between night and day.”
Here are a few other things I appreciate from further reading in The Skeptical Believer:
Christianity invites us to a entirely different type of life. Dan does a great job of underscoring the ethical implications of Christianity and how our doubt may involve a whole lot more than just intellectual difficulties.
People who blurb books often say “Chapter 3 is worth the price of the book.” They are obviously wanting to underscore how invaluable that particular section was to them. Well, one of Dan’s chapter titles may be worth the price of the book: “Wanting What You Cannot Have: Certainty as Metaphysical Gluttony.” Noodle on that for a few minutes!
There are some wise reflections on the importance of both story and propositions.
Dan has a wonderful way of taking popular views and turning them on their proverbial head. For example, he argues that it is actually easier to believe when one lives in a skeptical age.
And learn why Satan is our first literary critic!
I am grateful to Scot McKnight for bringing my attention to Daniel Taylor’s wonderful book, The Skeptical Believer.
The title is terrific, but I like the subtitle even better: Telling Stories to Your Inner Atheist.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Skeptical-Believer-Telling-Stories/dp/0970651155/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
There are far too many things I like about Dan’s book to do one post, so I am going to do several in the weeks ahead. Those who know me best understand why I would find so much resonance with The Skeptical Believer. You could say I am a “serial doubter.”
Before we embark on Dan’s terrific book, let me say something about its design. Dan’s son, Matthew, designed the book. It is exquisitely and creatively put together. Even though it is beautifully done and almost 400 pages in length, the cost is only $14.95!
*Many Christians feel the compulsion to act like the life of faith is easy and struggle minimal. Dan provides loads of wisdom and breathing room to be more honest with our nagging questions and doubts. And Dan offers humor throughout his book!
*In his inimitable way, Dan does a great job of describing how the old faith v. reason conundrum is bogus. Others have demonstrated this as well, but Dan the literature professor and gifted writer offers us a fresh perspective.
*The Skeptical Believer has one of the best explanations of the power of “story” that I have ever read.
*Daniel Taylor isn’t interested in simply offering witty and well-written words about skepticism. He wants to help us. His section (I won’t tell you the page numbers because I want you to buy the book) on dealing with what he likes to call “clutter” rather than busyness is one of my favorite parts in the first section.
