Faith and Doubt

Faith and Doubt by John Ortberg is a paperback book published by Zondervan and Willow Creek Ministries.

This book is a fantastic read. It is filled with Ortberg's now typical wit and an honesty that is reassuring to the honest believer.

Ortberg examines what we mean by faith. How we talk about something being factual and reasonable and how we have come (in the West) to see uncertainty as that which may undermine faith.

He says that actually, when we examine faith, it can only exist alongside doubt. As Hebrews 11:1 points out "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

He goes on to examine the ideas of men like Dawkins and Hitchens and shows how they leave the world hopeless and helpless. He also points out that the Bible does the opposite. It leaves us challenged and confused but full of hope.

Why is there confusion about creation? Why do things go well for some and awfully for others? These are questions we have to ask and that we can never have fully satisfactory answers for in this life. However - Christians believe that there is a purpose in all things. There is a good God who is working out his plans. In him and in his son Jesus Christ we have all our faith.

The book is very honest with many anecdotes from the authors own experience. His doubts and failings are admitted - along with the general failings of the Church - we are all faulty. We need these books today. An honest plea from the Church asking the world to ignore our bad example and to trust the one who was the finest example of humanity. He believed God and lived.

A good book. A good read. An encouragement. Tolle lege.