More from Patience With God

Patience with God is a book by Thomas Halik is a book on my to read list as the result of hearing recent MockingCast episode. In this episode it was raised that a portion of Halik's thesis is that the difference between being a theist and an atheist is patience in relation to doubt. It is a misnomer to think that theists are people without doubts or that atheists do not believe in things they cannot explain. The atheist is not wrong in their doubt (many Christians define theology as "faith seeking understanding"), the difference is that the theist is willing to ensure doubt rather than resolve it.

I don't know how it is that God became human in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. I don't know how it is that we are reconciled with God through the cross. I don't understand the nature of the Trinity nor do I understand many of the faith claims of Christianity.

What I do know is that I have a lot of respect for the atheists that I know. Their work to resolve doubt is noble. It is however been my lived experience that doubt can never fully be explained. With every new discovery there are new questions and doubts. Thus, the posture that I believe leads to a mature life is that of learning how to endure doubt.

I know that I do not have the knowledge how to endure doubt, I do not have the strength to endure doubt on my own. These are just two of the reasons that I am engaged in a faith community. A community that can help me endure doubt.