Faith and Doubt

I Believe

My worldview has been formed largely by the Christian faith.

I believe that the universe was created by a personal, benevolent God who has a plan for his creation and the power to accomplish it.

My values and ethics are strongly influenced by the teaching and example of Jesus, especially his sacrificial love as demonstrated in by his death.

I believe that Christ rose from the dead, and that this was a pivotal event in the history of the universe, which in some way both demonstrated and advanced the sovereignty of God over his creation.

I believe that the kingdom of God is advancing, and that I, along with all people, have a role to play in bringing it about.

I look forward to the second coming of Christ, at which all injustices will be set right and there will be an end to pain, discord and death.

I believe that God is personally active in my own life and in the lives of others, prompting, guiding and convicting us in times of struggle and uncertainty.

I participate intentionally in the life of the church - attending weekly services and Bible studies, taking communion, praying before meals, and engaging in discussions about Christian faith and life.

I believe that the forgiveness of God is offered to me for all of my sins, and that I must also offer that forgiveness to others.  I deeply believe in the vital, transformative power of grace to heal both the forgiven and the forgiver.

I believe that death is not the end.

I Do Not Believe

My worldview has also been shaped by deep and enduring doubts.

When I look at the world around me, so marked by suffering and death, I find it very difficult to believe that the universe was created by a personal, benevolent God who has a plan for his creation and the power to accomplish it.

I struggle with many of the teachings of Jesus - to understand them; or if I understand them, to trust them; or if I trust them, to live them.

While I am not troubled by the miraculous nature of the resurrection, I have difficulty squaring the implications of this miracle with subsequent world and church history.

I see at least as much evidence in the world around me of the kingdom of God retreating as of its advancing.

I've found no good reason for believing that the God who made the world as it is has the power to remake it without suffering or death.

I don't have a sense that God is personally prompting, guiding or convicting me, beyond what is attributable to my own reason and conscience, and I doubt whether the interior lives of most Christians are qualitatively different from those of non-Christians.

I do not participate in many aspects of the life of the faith.  I do not read the Bible or pray regularly, and I often cannot relate to the perspectives of other Christians.

Although I hope fervently for the redemption and reconciliation of all things, I see much evil and hurt that I cannot imagine ever being set right.

I dare not dwell on my hope in the resurrection, because the more I consider it, the more implausible it seems.


I have chosen to believe.  Help thou mine unbelief.