21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Make Doubt an Opportunity for Spiritual Growth, March 1, 2007
This review is from: Doubting: Growing Through the Uncertainties of Faith (Paperback)
A McGrath fan, this is yet another of his fine works. This one is not of the scholarly, academic genre, but rather a more practical, down to earth, layperson oriented effort.
And a fine one at that it is, focusing in on the important area of doubt. He begins by showing great empathy for it, showing that it is normal for not only the infant Christian, but equally so for the mature believer as well. The difference between the two is how different each copes with doubt. Herein lies the usefulness of this book.
The mature learn to cope with doubt by immersion in their faith practice, not falling away from it, which will and does only serve to sever the nourishment lines and cause the faith seed to expire. He provides workable, usable, doable suggestions for such immersion, e.g. daily Scriputre reading, pastoral counseling, journaling, etc. His analogies are excellent, e.g. the water spider's survival in hostile environment and the way it survives. (you'll have to read this to find out the wonderful parallels)
Add another excellent resource to your suggested reading here: Nancy Pearcey's "Total Truth". Apologetics is useful area to aid not only the individual's doubt, but also allow then to aid others.
Recommended for doubters and those that assist doubters.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Warm, practical and theologically accurate., November 7, 2010
This review is from: Doubting: Growing Through the Uncertainties of Faith (Paperback)
I highly recommend this book. The author used to teach at Oxford and fascilitated a number of small-groups for students. He writes off of his experience in what Christians doubt the most. He says it is aimed toward those who are new to the faith or College aged, but it seemed just as applicable to any age.
The author begins by noting we Christians wrongly deny our doubts (but all of us have them!) and hide them out of guilt and shame(instead of dealing with them).
One of the reasons we doubt come from what the author calls "growing pains." So instead of seeing them as bad, we should see them as opportunities to grow. For instance, when people first come to Jesus it is often because he offers them something they need (i.e. forgiveness or a relationship with God). So we enter the relationship and push the doubts aside. But later on they pop up again.
This is perfectly normal and we usually enter into other relationships without all of our questions answered. But for any relationship to grow we must dig deeper or it will die. So when old doubts pop up again or someone questions our faith it is time for us to dig deeper and learn the answers we need for ourselves or for others (i.e. Bible Study, Theology, Apologetics).
Another reason for doubt comes from an unrealistic expectation. We expect to know everything before we commit to something. But this is an unattainable goal since we are finite and can never know all there is to know. We see through a glass dimly as the Apostle Paul stated. In reality, we are required to commit faith everyday in everything we do because of this same issue.
Sometimes we doubt because we judge what is right by how we feel or our own experience at the moment. It may not seem like God is going to provide for us and we are headed toward a train-wreck. But what do we do in those times? We must choose to trust in the promises of God even if his face is veiled at the moment. We know God loves us and this is proved in the cross. We know he is faithful because he raised Jesus from the dead.
Finally, we sometimes doubt because of spiritual neglect. If we have accepted Christ the seed of his word was planted on good soil. But in order for a seed to continue to grow it takes work! Neglect will cause weeds to grow up and choke the seed. For our faith to grow we must continue to be in fellowship, grow in the knowledge of him, learn from our doubts, repent of sin and live the Christian life.
And there are many more doubts this author deals with! I found the book very useful and comforting for any Christian. He speaks with the warmth and experience of a Pastor: simply but clearly. He also speaks with theological accuracy without getting complicated. A useful but quick read!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshingly honest book, November 19, 2009
This review is from: Doubting: Growing Through the Uncertainties of Faith (Paperback)
I thought this book was unique in it's kind. It was well written (stucturally) and was written unlike his other books. His approach in this book was written easily to understand and follow. It was refreshing because it was honest, and not so dogmatic as others pushing their beliefs often are. I highly recremend this book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
