From: William Lane Craig <info@reasonablefaith.org>Subject: Question of the Week - Dealing with Doubt

Date: February 6, 2012 7:35:32 PM GMT+08:00To: lowellgomezperez@aol.com

Reply-To: William Lane Craig <info@reasonablefaith.org>

#251

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Dealing with Doubt

Question:

Dr. Craig,

What is your best advice for overcoming "what if" doubts? I find that this is my biggest struggle. I find acompelling argument, and then I ask, "but what if..." This constantly starts me over at square one. Iknow that this is partially due to my fear of giving into Christianity and then being wrong. It isn't aboutpride; I would just be devastated. I've experienced that before when my faith has been shaken. No onewill ever reach a conclusion if they continue to ask "what if." I know this. So how do I overcome it. Itwould seem so simple to some. Simply stop asking "what if." But those who have experienced a grippingfear know that it is harder than it seems. So for those of us who suffer from the "what if" syndrome--what do we do next?

AmandaUSA

Dr. Craig responds:

Occasionally I like to invite a guest scholar to respond to a question on which he has worked. MichaelLicona recently spoke to my Defenders class on the subject of Doubt, and so, Amanda, I asked Mike totackle your question. I think you'll find that you and he are a lot alike! His response to your questionfollows:

I can certainly sympathize with this doubter! One of my idiosyncrasies is that I'm a perpetual second-guesser. I seem to question just about everything. I don't want to make a bad decision, even in somevery insignificant matters. So, it just makes sense that I often have doubts pertaining to decisions insignificant matters. It's not an intentional exercise. In fact, it's downright frustrating to me. But it's theway I'm wired.

As a result, I've doubted my Christian faith many times; sometimes to the point of almost walking awayfrom it. I've asked myself, "Have I been brain-washed? Am I unable to think objectively because I wasbrought up to believe? What if I'm wrong?" I have the peace Paul describes as being the inwardconfirmation of God's Spirit that I belong to Christ (Romans 8:16). But Mormons also claim to have aconfirming peace from God, as do followers of some other religions. Certainly, we all couldn't be right,since many religions contradict themselves. So, how can I know whether my peace is really from God?That's a tough question. And to be honest, I still don't know the answer to that one.

Thankfully, when I began experiencing doubts in the 1980s, a philosophy professor understood where Iwas because he had likewise struggled with doubts. I didn't have Gary Habermas for a class at LibertyUniversity, since he taught in the philosophy department, while my graduate work there was in the fieldof New Testament Studies. But Habermas helped me tremendously in understanding doubt and how todeal with it. In what follows, I combine some of Habermas' thoughts with my own. I have good news forthose of you who struggle with doubt: You can successfully deal with doubting by taking four keyactions.

Action #1: Recognize that doubting is normal. Abraham met God, who informed him he would have ason from whom a mighty nation would arise. Yet, when Abraham's life was in danger, he lied in order tosave himself, although he knew God's promise of a son had not yet been fulfilled (Genesis 12). One

would think he would have trusted God to save him. Instead, he lied, and God ended up intervening inorder to restore Abraham's wife Sarah to him, who had been taken as a result of his lie. Fast forwardeight chapters. Abraham is faced with the same situation. But this time he knew he could trust God toprotect him without needing to take matters into his own hands and lie. Well, that's not the way it went.Abraham once again doubted God's promise and repeated his error. He lied to the king who, likePharaoh earlier, took Sarah into his harem, and God, once again, had to intervene (Genesis 20).However, Abraham would go on to become a man of great faith and is listed in the Bible's Faith Hall ofFame (Hebrews 11). In fact, if there's an MVP in that Hall of Fame, it's Abraham.

John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. Both had been born of miraculous circumstances. John wouldlater baptize Jesus, see the Holy Spirit descend upon Him, and hear a heavenly voice that affirmed Hisstanding. John was later imprisoned, and, sometime during that period, he sent some of his disciples toask Jesus whether He was really the Messiah or whether they should expect someone else. Whoa! Howcould John ask that question, since he had heard the stories of both his and Jesus' miraculous births andhad witnessed divine signs when he baptized Jesus? John's sense of being abandoned while in prisonbrought on emotional doubt. He knew the evidence. But life wasn't turning out as he had expected. Infact, it was rather unpleasant at that moment. Jesus knew that. He told John's disciples to return to Johnand report the miracles they had seen Him perform, miracles expected of the Messiah (see the Dead SeaScrolls 4Q521; see also Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:16-21). After the disciples left, Jesus turned to the crowd.All eyes were looking at Him. What would Jesus say to those who had just learned that His wing man wasnow experiencing doubts?

What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out tosee? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, those who wear fancy clothes are in the homes ofkings! What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is theone about whom it is written: "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepareyour way before you." I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greaterthan John the Baptist. (Matthew 11:7-11 NET; cf. Luke 7:24-28)

Notice that Jesus did not rebuke John for doubting. Instead, He provided evidence, encouraged him, andcomplimented him, saying there's none greater-all while fully aware that John was struggling withdoubt.

If Abraham and John the Baptist can experience doubt while enjoying God's favor, then it appears thatGod understands our emotional makeup and is patient with us. Many Christians never experience doubt.However, for those of us who do, it is comforting to know we are in good company with others likeAbraham and John the Baptist. Doubters are not second class citizens in God's kingdom!

"Dude! That may work for those who heard from God and who saw Jesus' miracles. But it doesn't helpme much, since I didn't see His miracles." I understand. All I've said thus far is the first action in dealingwith doubt: Recognize that doubting is normal.

Action #2: Recognize that good evidence exists supporting the truth of Christianity. Although we can'tclimb into a time machine, travel back in time, and witness Jesus' miracles, we have very stronghistorical evidence that the greatest of His miracles actually occurred: His resurrection. Gary Habermasknows more on that subject than anyone. One could say, "Among those born of women, no one hasmore knowledge of the evidence for Jesus' resurrection than Gary Habermas."

Now, if Jesus rose from the dead, Christianity is certainly true. "But," you may think, "His resurrection isreported in the Bible. How can I know the Bible is true? Must I just accept it purely on faith?" During thatfirst visit with Professor Habermas, he gave me a brief tour of the historical evidence for Jesus'resurrection. I was comforted to know there was actual evidence. But, admittedly, the case wasn'tairtight. The evidence didn't give me 100 percent certainty. This didn't faze Habermas. Science can'tprovide that degree of certainty, either. Scientific and historical investigation can only take us so far. Wemust look for the best explanation of the available data and settle for reasonable or adequate certainty,just as we do with other major life decisions. The rest is faith and that is true of any worldview, whetherChristian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or atheist. However, Jesus' resurrection is unparalleled interms of strong evidence for confirming any other worldview.

Action #3: Recognize that absolute certainty is an unreasonable expectation. Some live with faithwithout ever doubting. That's great. But some of us are so wired that we are incapable of that. A fewyears ago, I had one of those "Ah-ha!" moments that has been life-changing. I realized that my faith isjust one of many things I second-guess. I doubt many decisions lonnnnngggg after I've made them.This is an idiosyncrasy I've possessed from childhood, and I hate it. We're not just talking aboutimportant decisions, such as whom I married. I sometimes find myself reconsidering, re-reconsidering,and re-re-reconsidering unimportant decisions, such as items I've purchased: a watch, a car, a bottle ofcologne. This recognition alone has been a tremendous help to me in understanding why I doubt: It'sthe way I'm wired. For me, absolute certainty is an unreasonable expectation. So, I'm learning to livecontently with reasonable certainty.

Action #4: Recognize that faith is more than a feeling or being without doubt. It's a commitment. A manonce came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his son who was demon-possessed. He believed (after all, he

came to Jesus for help) but asked Jesus to help him with his unbelief (Mark 9:24). He was relying onJesus to heal his son. Peter walked on water and began sinking when he became frightened by the wavesand doubted (Matthew 14:28-31). Yet, it was Peter who was out of the boat while the others watchedfrom inside it. For the Christ follower, faith is entrusting oneself to Christ alone for salvation. There's nohedging the bet by also being a Muslim and a Hindu. Being a Christ follower means that when I'm facedwith a moral decision, I choose the route taught by Jesus. I know that I could take the other route ifChrist was not raised. But I obey Jesus because I believe Him. I may still have lingering doubts. But thefaith I have wins and determines my behavior in the life of faith. As Jesus' brother wrote, "Show me yourfaith without works and I will show you faith by my works" (James 2:18 [NET]).

In summary, here are the four key actions for dealing with doubt:

• Recognize that doubting is normal.• Recognize that good evidence exists supporting the truth of Christianity.• Recognize that absolute certainty is an unreasonable expectation.• Recognize that faith is more than a feeling or being without doubt. It's a commitment.

For more on dealing with doubt, readers may greatly benefit from the free online book by GaryHabermas titled The Thomas Factor: Using Your Doubts to Draw Closer to God.

For a comprehensive historical case for the resurrection of Jesus, see my recent book The Resurrectionof Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach.

– Michael Licona

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