Doubting Thomas

Maggi Dawn has written a timely post about the apostle Thomas. It captures well some of the reasons behind the choice of the name for our new son, Thomas. There are lots of other reasons but Maggi’s has named one, well.

Her thought for the day is brilliant, as is the wise advice of one of her tutors.

“Coleridge wrote some good stuff about doubt. Here's a thought for the day:

"Dubious questioning is a much better evidence than that senseless deadness which most take for believing. People that know nothing...have no doubts. Never be afraid to doubt, if only you have the disposition to believe, and doubt in order that you may end in believing the truth."…”

I’d like to be able to encourage our Tom one day, if it becomes necessary with similar counsel. The questions of doubt are potentially stepping stones to a deeper, richer, more vibrant Christian faith.  Prof. James Fowler captures this sense well in his work on the stages of faith. M. Scott Peck does as well.

Comments

[Duncan Macleod]

I'm re-reading through Tom Beaudoin's 1998 book, Virtual Faith. He has a chapter headed, "Ambiguity is central to faith". In it he says that faith may be discovered and practiced in ambiguity. He's not talking about surrendering faith to culture. He calls us to attend to the revelatory significance of hesitation, ambiguity, ambivalence, and instability in the lives (and faith experiences) of many Xers.

I also found Martin Robinson helpful on this, in his book, "Faith of the Unbeliever".

[Paul Fromont]

Thanks Duncan. I'll pull Beaudoin off the shelf and have a read.

[Kristin]

Nice quote! Sometimes I wonder if even when our doubting isn't seasoned with hope of finally believing "the truth" - even when it comes from a really tired or jaded soul - that it can still be fruitful ground...steps along a path that can lead to wonderful things. At least this has been my experience.

Anyway, thanks for the post. And congratulations on your new arrival!!!

[Ellina Rosen]

Great to see your site, have referred to one of your previous posts on my blog today.

When I finally work out how to do a blogroll on my site I will include yours!