Posted on 11/12/2004 5:15:00 PM PST by suzyjaruki
What Happens When I Doubt?
by Juan de Valdes (1498-1541)
Juan de Valdes fled the Spanish Inquisition in 1531 and led a reform movement in Italy. The following is a short extract from his larger work titled, The Benefit of Christ.The above title is not found in the original text but was created for this online edtion which was made available by Shane Rosenthal for Reformation Ink.
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Amongst those who bear the name Christian, I know that there are two classes of men. One finds it extremely easy to believe all that is said to them in matters of religion. For the other it is extremely difficult. It appears to me that the facility of belief in the first group comes from superstition and superficial thought, while the difficulty in the other comes from excessive reflection. The one never exercises prudence, while the other finds it hard to believe anything at all. So the one will believe many things that are false, perhaps giving more credit to the false than to the true. While the other never believes in the false, but also hesitates to ever accept the truth.
Pondering on this matter, I find that only the Holy Spirit can help both classes of men...While both of them struggle, I believe that they who find it hard to believe anything are in a better position to receive God's Spirit. First, this is because it is easier to recognize the truth than falsehood. Second, whoever believes readily is the more easily deceived. Third, he who easily believes may also live much longer under delusions, such as those in the early church who were converted from Judaism. I am also convinced that he who believes without being taught by the Spirit of God will rely more upon human opinion than upon a personal faith.
However, Christian faith is not based upon hearsay, but upon divine revelation alone. It is this that blesses us and brings us now hope and love. It is this that purifies the heart and it is this that in every way pleases God. May we be enriched with this by God Himself through Jesus Christ our Lord! A man who is tempted to doubt experiences a work of Christian progress. I believe that such temptation originates in a man's desire to believe and to stand firm in his Christian faith. The ungodly are not tempted to doubt, because they neither with nor desire to believe...But Christians have renounced unbelief and they have begun by the grace of the Holy Spirit to accept the pardon which the gospel announces in Christ.
Such are those who have renounced self-justification and have embraced the righteousness of Christ which the gospel offers. But at the same time, they do not yet see clearly all that Christ offers. When such a person begins to doubt, let him counteract such a temptation in the following ways.
In the first place, let one who doubts regard this temptation as evidence of his progress in the Christian life. Let him recognize that had he not wished a desire to believe, he would not be so tempted to doubt. His very distress is indicative of the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life.
In the second place, let him argue like this: If this Christian faith that I have were not something spiritual and divine, it would not find me the contradiction that it does find. Let this comfort me.
In the third place, let him also argue thusly: If this Christian faith were not the gift of God, I would not feel such inward new desires to be united with Christ. But these are the very desires I have since embracing Him in faith.
In the fourth place, let him also think like this: If a Christian's faith was not spiritual and divine, it would not give rise to that very tension I experience between faith and doubt.
Finally, let him think like this: If I knew of any alternative that is better than this, or even equal to this, in getting me to appear before the judgment of God, I might have good cause to doubt the truth to which I know cling. But since I see no alternative that is better or equal to it, I have no cause to doubt.
And so in this way, let him be assured that he is on the side to win and not to lose; by persevering in this Christian faith he cannot lose but win. Let him realize that he knows himself to be pardoned through Christ. Since he realizes himself to be dead with Christ, raised again with Christ, and expecting his fullment with Christ, and let these things assure him.
The Christian who desires to accept the righteousness of Christ will be disturbed with suggestions that tempt him to doubt. But let him take a stand here and close the door to those who threaten to assail him. Let him commend himself to God, saying with Hezekiah, "Oh Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me" (Is. 38:14). Let him be sure that God will help him and fulfill what He promised David. "I will deliver him and bring him to honor" (Ps. 91:15).
Ping to the GRPL
bttt
I'm Roman Catholic, and on the way home from work I had my local Catholic radio station on, and the host began to talk about the resurrection of Lazarus, and I immediately doubted that it was so. I doubt often, and have said this to Christ and to the Father, 'forgive my doubt and increase my Faith.' I do not engage the doubt often, because that inevitably leads to my consideration that atheism might be true.
When that happens what jerks me back around is the following thought: 'you doubt the existence of God and the reality of Christ and yet your willing to espouse belief in unbelief?' Atheism isn't the absence of belief it's belief in an absence. And that dialogue makes me realize that I actually know so little, and that I can't truly know the Mystery of God at this moment, I can only have and ask for an augmentation of Faith.
Lazarus is just one believer that Jesus raised from the dead. What is it exactly that you doubt? That Jesus raised him? That he was resurrected? As a Christian, isn't the Resurrection the core of your belief?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the heart of the Christian faith. Christianity is a belief--a series of truths, doctrines, and principles based on the resurrection of Christ. When Jesus rose from the dead by the power of the Father, He proved He was exactly who He claimed to be, and that He accomplished what He came to accomplish. Second Corinthians 4:14 says "that he [God] who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also." Our belief in resurrection life is built on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because He lives, we shall live also (John 14:19).
But I believe that the credibility of scripture, God's signature of authenticity as it were, is in the prophecies.
And the most significant prophecy of all which can in fact be proven is that of Dan 9:25-26, the prophecy of when the anointed Messiah would appear: Proof Daniel 9:25-26 fulfilled with Christ's Baptism & crucifixion
You might look it over and ponder how could it possibly be faked and I think you'll come away with a deeper appreciation that God Himself autographed His book to us.
If you never have doubt, I commend you, but I can't express much to you in this regard, based on your reply to me, because you don't have doubt. And again, I do commend you. I know many people like you, all of whom I have the deepest respect for. The author of this piece not only understands my doubt, but gives me cause to take heart and continue to ask that my Faith be increased.
Throughout Scripture we see the hope of resurrection. Death is not a dead-end; it's a thoroughfare to eternity.
1. Psalm 49:15--The psalmist wrote, "God will redeem my soul from the power of sheol."
2. Psalm 73:24--Asaph wrote that God would receive him to glory after he died.
3. Hosea 6:2--Hosea confidently asserted that God will raise up His people so they might live before Him.
4. Isaiah 26:19--Isaiah wrote, "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust."
5. Daniel 12:2--"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life."
6. Job 14:14--Job asked, "If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."
7. Job 19:25-27--Job affirmed, "I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my heart be consumed within me."
I believe it was David (number 1 above) who had the epiphany that our God is the God of the living therefore He will not leave us unresurrected.
I hope this helps :)
Thanks for the link and your thoughts.
Thanks.
It is a blessing to me that we share this sentiment.
You're most welcome.
I could point you to a couple additional threads and related background should you wish, depending on any questions you might have later.
My prayer is that you be edified and encouraged in God's infinite plan for you.
You're welcome. Feel free to ask any questions if we can help.
Nice tie.
Yes, thank you it was a gift.....I'll probably be found hanging by it before morning....
Me too. As I said, reading this was just what I needed. Here are the parts I found familiar, comforting and worthy:
In the first place, let one who doubts regard this temptation as evidence of his progress in the Christian life. Let him recognize that had he not wished a desire to believe, he would not be so tempted to doubt. His very distress is indicative of the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life.
In the third place, let him also argue thusly: If this Christian faith were not the gift of God, I would not feel such inward new desires to be united with Christ. But these are the very desires I have since embracing Him in faith.
I've just spent 45 minutes reading about Valdes. Born 1500; died 1541. A Castilian reformer who believed in justification by faith alone, and in the "subordinate authority of tradition." No wonder the Inquisition had his number.
His very distress is indicative of the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life.
Like the irritation of the pearl forming in the oyster, our motivation is by His hand.
Since he realizes himself to be dead with Christ, raised again with Christ, and expecting his fullment with Christ, and let these things assure him.
An assurance given by God from before the foundation of the world.
Welcome, les grenouille nouveaux!
Frog legs? Break out the melted butter 8) Bttt, seriously, what does bttt mean?
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