Faith in the intangible is inevitably met by doubt. Doubts arise from faith’s unrealistic claims, from the challenges that living a life of faith entails, and from the skepticism that abounds in today’s secular environment.
Unresolved doubts can weigh down and even sink a believer sailing on the voyage of faith, as symbolized by Peter’s unsuccessful attempt to walk on water. Every believer is responsible to confront and overcome his or her doubts.
Intellectually, we can find answers to satisfy our unresolved questions. Ultimately, we should graduate from the level of belief to attain knowledge of God based upon lived experience.
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” John 20.24-29
The boat was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves… And in the fourth watch of the night he [Jesus] came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14.24-31
Whatever monk has doubts about the Teacher, is perplexed, is not convinced, is not sure, his mind does not incline to ardor, to continual application, to perseverance, to striving. This is the first mental barrenness that thus comes not to be got rid of by him whose mind does not incline to ardor, to continual application, to perseverance, to striving. And again, this monk has doubts about the Dhamma… has doubts about the Order… has doubts about the training… If these mental barrennesses are not rooted out, that he should come to growth, expansion, and maturity in this Dhamma and discipline—such a situation does not occur. Majjhima Nikaya 1.101 (Buddhism)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. James 1.5-7
If you are in any doubt concerning what We have sent down to you, then question those who have read the Book before you; Truth has come to you from your Lord, so do not be a waverer; do not be someone who rejects God’s signs, so you be a loser. Qur’an 10.94-95
Out of the element of participation follows the certainty of faith; out of the element of separation follows the doubt in faith. And each is essential for the nature of faith. Sometimes certainty conquers doubt, but it cannot eliminate doubt. The conquered of today may become the conqueror of tomorrow. Sometimes doubt conquers faith, but it still contains faith. Otherwise, it would be indifference… The fundamental symbol of our ultimate concern is God. It is always present in any act of faith, even if the act of faith includes the denial of God… Atheism, consequently, can only mean the attempt to remove any ultimate concern— to remain unconcerned about the meaning of one's existence. Indifference toward the ultimate question is the only imaginable form of atheism… Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith. Paul Tillich (Christianity)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Do you believe in God, or do you know God? You say you know Him; then, do you believe in His love, or do you know it?
You say God is alive; do you believe He is alive, or do you know it? By the same token, you say you are of God’s lineage, but do you just believe you are of His lineage, or do you know it? What is faith?
According to Hebrews chapter 11, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” It is something provisional, not connected to the reality we experience. (359:87, 011106)
Compare faith and observable reality. Faith looks intangible and unreal but is in fact eternal and substantial. The reality of this world is vivid and evident to our senses, but it cannot be trusted; it is ephemeral and inconstant. Life grounded in faith in God has the quality of constancy. (66:49, March 18, 1973)
When your faith is big, reality seems small. But when your faith is small, reality looms overwhelmingly before you. (Way of God’s Will 3.4)
The world around us fills us with doubts. You should confess them before the Father and pray, “Father, please remove these doubts from my mind and body.” Have the courage to fully entrust yourself, and your enslavement by sin, to the Father, the Subject of your faith. At least establish this mindset at the center of your heart; it is the only way to walk the path of faith.
When God comes seeking us, the condition He requires of us is faith. We must use faith to forget all about the self, destroy the world of doubt, and create a world that promotes faith. In this way we can bring order to this sinful environment, create an environment of goodness, demolish the environment of death, and build an environment of life…
Take all your doubts off your chest and bravely hand them over to God. Say, “God, I have come with all the doubts of the universe. Since Thou hast made a heavenly relationship with me, I trust that Thou wilt not abandon me. Please accept this confession of my doubts and resolve them all for me.”…
We must truthfully confess all our doubts to the Subject of our faith. The act of confession is a sacred thing. With utmost sincerity, challenge the limits of conventional thinking and call out, “Father! Father!” Then your Father will surely respond. God is responsible to deal with people like you…
The reason Adam and Eve fell was because they doubted. Hence, during the process of restoration, whenever we have any doubts, we should clarify them. A doubt that is allowed to grow large will preoccupy the mind.
Therefore, you must have the courage and determination, even the audacity, to get clarification from God for any question you have. (3:11-13, September 8, 1957)
We who believe in the existence of God should be able to see real evidence of His existence in our daily life. We should be able to demonstrate the reality of God beyond any doubt to this unbelieving world. (120:100, October 5, 1982)
END OF BOOK CHAPTER