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Faith & Doubt (2008)

by John Ortberg(Favorite Author)

4.07 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0310253209 (ISBN13: 9780310253204)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Zondervan

review 1: I am so glad I have discovered John Ortberg and I am equally glad that I read Faith and Doubt as my first one of his books. I admit that I had to stop reading about halfway through and take a breather because of the intensity of my own experiences with doubt, but after a couple of days of reading something else, I picked up Faith and Doubt and finished it in one sitting. I was hungry for the thoughts this author spread out before me with such clarity and thorough probing. Ortberg does not hesitate to explore his own doubts honestly and is willing to present the arguments of well known doubters as diverse as "doubting" Thomas, Freud and many oft-quoted and published atheists and agnostics. Including extensive footnotes, Ortberg covers many facets of faith and doubt.That all... more sounds awfully boring, doesn't it? But the philosophical, theological nature of this book is deeply embedded in skillful storytelling. I would love to hear John Ortberg speak if he speaks as naturally as he writes. I found myself smiling, crying and actually laughing out loud. I kid you not. The nature of this book doesn't seem to be geared toward laughter, but this read covered a full range of emotions for me. I can't wait to pick out my next Ortberg book. I recently watched Oprah interviewing Joel Osteen. I am impressed by the humility and simple, straightforward nature of this unlikely media superstar and I have enjoyed listening to the positive, uplifting words he unapologetically imparts so prolifically in written and spoken forums. But when Oprah asked him if he had ever doubted and he answered "No, I really never have", my heart sank down into the toes of my shoes. Don't get me wrong. I think it is awesome that there are those with so much faith that doubt is considered a foreign concept. Still, I would be dishonest if I didn't acknowledge that I sometimes identify myself with that much maligned pariah, Thomas. This book helped me to understand that my doubt doesn't diminish my faith, but gives more meaning to choosing to believe. These are a few quotes that touched me from John Ortberg's Faith and Doubt:"Uncertainty is a gift because it gnaws at us to pursue truth. As hunger prompts our stomach to find food, doubts prompt our minds to find reality.""When we can live in the midst of uncertainty with joyful and courageous commitment, we will change. We will become, maybe not more certain, but more faithful. And faithfulness matters more than certainty. It just doesn't feel as good." "To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation." "When the doubts are gone, the person doesn't need faith anymore. Knowledge has come." "Disciples are not people who never doubt. They doubt and worship. They doubt and serve. They doubt and help each other with their doubts. They doubt and practice faithfulness. They doubt and wait for their doubt one day to be turned to knowing." I believe. Help thou my unbelief.
review 2: A very solid look at how doubt can enhance one's faith, not necessarily destroy it. Like the book The Reason for Believing God the author doesn't claim he has all the answers. He doesn't say he has evidence to convince you to believe he just lays out his reasons for why he believes. I appreciated his humility.Anyone exploring Christianity or has been a believer for many years or just a few weeks will benefit from reading this book. Several times I put down the book and had to honestly evaluate my beliefs, prejudices, etc. I was fortunate enough to have some eye opening revelations.Some parts that I liked included:- Doubt is good as it leads to humility- The part that says that trust opens one up to vulnerability which leads to highs and lows in a relationship (faith and doubt?)- It is okay to explore secular philosophers and atheists books. To wholeheartedly reject those means you have big doubts, not any doubts, as the rejections would claim. Some of those works may help one understand God better - they could also lead to rejecting God too.- I loved the analogy on pages 164-165 explaining the joy of Christianity. It made me smile and put into words what I have been leaning towards for years.- The drive for humans to find joy in life - to be happy, to be satisfied, to be fulfilled, to have hope. Where does that come from? If there is no God then why are so many people who seem to have everything unsatisfied?- The nail picking part is great - i.e. how we are horrible at waiting on God. I had to look up the verses in Genesis myself where is says that Abraham and Sarah laughed at God and then God gave them a baby boy in their old age despite their unbelief. They named their son Issac which means "He laughs." I am smiling typing this out! less

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