What happens when we step out of our safe Christian bubbles and come face to face with questions such as:  Why do you think God even exists?  Why do you trust the Bible?  Wasn’t Jesus merely a good man and teacher?

Often times, questions like these become the seeds of doubt in the minds of many Christians today.

Doubt is simply uncertainty in regards to God.  What each of us needs to know is that doubt is a universal human experience.  It’s not unique to Christians – even atheists doubt their own positions toward God from time to time.

Even great Biblical icons experienced doubt:  Abraham, Job, David, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Thomas, Peter… the list goes own.  So, if you doubt, you’re in good company.

In our pursuit of getting to the bottom of these doubts, I want to begin by laying down some personal – even intimate – foundational concepts on which we can build upon to discover truth.

  • Write down your top three questions for or objections to Christianity.
  • Write down the top three hurts in your life, resolved or unresolved.
  • Write down the top three sins you struggle with the most.

The reason why we are starting off with such deep personal reflection is that doubt does not show up in the same shape, size or pattern in every instance.  But rather, each of these three areas corresponds to a different source of doubt.

Firstly, we’ll take a look at intellectual doubt.  This is where we question Christianity’s truthfulness.

It can be caused by unanswered questions, incorrect views or perspectives, bad thinking, bad logic or any number of shaky foundations.

The key to dealing with intellectual doubt is not to runaway or suppress it, but to seek out satisfactory answers to your questions and don’t stop seeking until you are satisfied.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

So, what does this, practically speaking, look like?

  1. Identify your top three questions or objections.
  2. Get resources on these topics.
  3. Study with others.

That last one is key – you need to pug in with other believers who will seek serious answers with you.