As you said, monster discussion potential here.

-Marshall Jones Jr.
bondChristian\’s latest: Obedience- The hallmark of wisdom

Uncertainty simply means I realize that I don’t know. Doubt means that I establish some likelihood that a particular thesis may be incorrect. Doubt, to a certain extent, is an ACTIVE decision, just like faith. I agree, uncertainty is different. There is, however, also ignorance, disbelief, and the more elusive unbelief.

I believe that all Christians have doubts. (That’s an oxymoronic statement in itself, because you can very easily doubt that statement, and neither of us can prove it, but I can be certain about it simultaneous to your uncertainty, and neither condition changes the absolute truth or falsehood of the thesis.)

I believe that all Christians have even more uncertainties. There are questions regularly from 12-14 year olds in my Sunday School class that prove to me that they are smart enough to not take all the stuff that they are told at face value. I believe that uncertainties are good, and dogmatic certainties often lead to ignorance and isolationism.

Truth is truth no matter who believes it or who doesn’t. Truth is truth even if no one knows it.

I am uncertain of much. I am skeptical of some. I don’t think there is much of Christianity that I would outright say that I “doubt”, and the only things that I “disbelieve” are the kind of things that are not (in my opinion) central to the belief of Christianity. Yet, I consider myself as a bit of a doubter, more because I give a certain amount of respect to the Jason Boyetts and Rachel Held Evanses of the world who challenge traditional thinking. I don’t believe the world evolved, but neither do I call her heathen for believing that it did.

Monster discussion potential. Sorry I can’t do it justice.
Bernard Shuford\’s latest: Drag

That’s what’s really fascinating to me. Uncertainty I can somewhat ignore. But doubt, the kind that keeps people (myself included) from actually doing what God says, is never cool.

But as you said, it still exists, and that’s something we have to realize.

One of my favorite examples is with Jesus in the garden. He’s asking the Father if there’s any way to get around dying on the cross. I’d call that uncertainty because eventually Jesus still went ahead and died on the cross. Other people might call that doubt. The terms aren’t really that important, but it is important to recognize the difference between Jesus questioning and Jesus not doing what God wanted.

So I think there are a number of things to consider with this:

1. Are we talking about doubt or uncertainty, action or just questions? (Not everyone uses the same definitions.)

2. If we’re talking about uncertainty, how can we keep that healthy by questioning and staying interested in how God responds but still move forward when He specifically tells us to?

3. If we’re talking about doubt, how can we move that into the uncertainty side by obeying God even when we’re not sure… or perhaps especially when we’re not sure?

-Marshall Jones Jr.
bondChristian\’s latest: What the are scruples

The thing Christians have GOT to come to realize is that “unbelief” and “doubt” are not intentional decisions by “outsiders”. We’ve also got to realize that everyone with whom we worship probably has some doubt of some sort, as well. Those who claim to never doubt are, in my opinion, just not thinking. When God gives faith, I don’t believe He simultaneously removes all doubts. That perception is culture based, not Biblically based. I see evidence in the Bible that every serious follower of God at some point had to deal with doubts and questions.

I think many of Rachel’s conclusions – based on her blog, because I’ve NOT read the book yet – are driven by a deep desire to reconcile faith with science. I don’t see that as entirely wrong, because I feel much the same way.

I’m simply no longer “sure” about many of the things that my fundamentalist college treated as CERTAIN. Doesn’t mean I’m an evolutionist, only that I no longer regard young earthers as the only true Christians.
Bernard Shuford\’s latest: Silence