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Re:Verse reading–Luke 1:1-38 (day three) 

“How can I be sure of this?”  Doubt is a function of our finiteness: We don’t know everything, so we doubt.  Rightly channeled, doubt can press us on to further investigation of mystery.  In that way, doubt can lead us to deeper faith.  Zechariah and Mary both express doubt to the angelic messenger.  In Zechariah’s case, lifelong training in the theological and scriptural tenets of the priesthood and the high holy work of service to his people has welled up in his soul as…skepticism.  It’s as if Zechariah’s posture is one of looking back at the priesthood’s storied past and asking, “Where’d all the glory go?”  Conversely, Mary seems to look out at the future from where she stands and ask, “What glories are yet to be?”  Doubt isn’t a bad place to start.  But it’s a terrible place to end up.

Author: Bryan Richardson

Bryan Richardson is the Associate Pastor for Counseling and Pastoral Ministries at FBCSA.

2 thoughts on “Start”

  1. I could not agree more, “doubt can press us on to further investigation of mystery.” Doubting can be the beginning of wisdom. Doubting one’s faith is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, for serious Christians, it can lead to spiritual growth and maturity.

    It is true in my view that “doubt can lead to deeper faith” as we are in doubts, we may research and/or ask questions to find the truth which can help deepen our faith. We will own our beliefs in a deep and real way.

    When and if I am in doubt, I will research and will ask questions. How is about you? I definitely will turn to trusted and strong Christian friends, teachers or mentors for questions and answers that wisdom literature or theology cannot provide. Understanding the roots of our doubts can help shape the questions and the source for finding our answers!

    I found that some doubts come from questions about what is true and what is logical (intelligence), and some doubts come from one’s feelings or sufferings (emotional). For example, I tried to understand how Christianity is different from any other religions, such as Buddhist and Islam? (Intelligence), and Why did God punish the righteous but not evil? Or God is all about love and joy, but why good people suffer from all kinds of illnesses? (Emotional)!

    As human beings, we all have doubts because we don’t know or are uncertain of something, but I hope that our doubt is the source of wanting to grow and mature in our Christian faith. Don’t let any doubts hold you back and unanswered!

    I totally agreed, “Doubt isn’t a bad place to start. But it’s a terrible place to end up.” As long as we are living on this earth, there will be doubts! Doubt is part of our life journey so doubting is a natural process. Without doubts, we will not learn and grow!

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