The Thomas Factor: Using Your Doubts to Draw Closer to God

In what form do our doubts about God come? Habermas discusses three types of doubt: factual, occurring when we doubt the foundational validity of our faith from a lack of provable historical and/or scientific data; emotional, the skepticism raised when we base our faith on our current emotional state; volitional, based on our will and our attitude toward assuming personal responsibility to repentance and obedience of biblical principles. Habermas (Dealing with Doubt) himself admits to having had serious doubts for many of his adult years. He has spent 25 years studying and working with more than 100 individuals who've come to him with their doubts about God and their faith. As Habermas explains, doubt is not necessarily a bad thing. In his chapter on the negative and positive consequences of doubting, he lists six important benefits of doubting: We may learn how to study and discover answers for ourselves; we grow as whole persons as we work through uncertainties; we discover that our emotions are not our enemies; proper thinking teaches us to love the life God has given us; working through emotional doubt helps us see the doubt for what it is; the experience can actually lead to the death of doubt. This author uses personal case studies and anecdotes to liven up this textbook-style study. Habermas unveils the common myths of doubting, sets the stage for building a solid foundation for faith and shares the importance of preparing a strategy for success by disciplining our thoughts, praying, memorizing Scripture, journaling and practicing Christian behavior. (Apr.)