before i can have a conversation with them about Jesus, i’ve got to cross that barrier of “God is real”… not easily done. but how could i possibly expect him/her to even think about Jesus when they aren’t even sure there’s a Creator?

start small; start basic; start where they are… pray and understand that it’s God that will call them; not me, not you.

I was raised as a church attender and made a decision to be a follower of Christ when i was a freshman in high school. However, when I was in college I had a professor that unknowingly challenged some core things that I believed. I began to question EVERYTHING that I believed and realized that I had all of those beliefs because my parents or youth pastor had told me that I should believe it.

I was left feeling “naked” and in a vulnerable position spiritually since I realized I had no real foundation for what I so easily believed as a high school student. At that point in my life (which seemed scary to me at the time), I realized what “faith” really meant. I could no longer assume or inherit the beliefs of those close to me. I also could not get to the answers I was seeking simply through reason. I had could only get there with faith. Without that…I would most likely share the same point of view that my friend from NYC has.

So…I see the questioning process is a necessary process in helping you establish a strong foundation for what you believe.

So to get back to my point here… I think we do assume that those who do not attend church regularly probably believe in a “god� but just not in Jesus, hence why we try to witness to them. When I read this post though, I instantly thought more about those within the church than those outside. I think we assume that those who attend church actually believe God exist when the reality may be that some HOPE God exist but they are still not too sure and they are afraid of being singled out if they fess up and admit their struggles. I’ve known some “Christian’s� who have gone through the motions for years and then all the sudden open up and admit that they are facing a crisis of belief and have been for years, they were just to worried about what another brother or sister in faith would think of them to admit it. Maybe for them it becomes more a question of “Does God Care� rather than “Does God Exist� but it could be one in the same.

I could go on but hopefully my point is made. :)

As I sit here with my wife and lots of kiddos in bed, reading all of your great comments, I can’t help but think about how my faith has evolved. I was 12 when I asked Christ to live in me, forgive me, and save me. I felt his calling, believed, and accepted–almost without question. Everything about what I believed seemed so simple. After all, my pastor, youth leader, teachers at my local Christian school, etc., all told me that the Bible is true, should be respected and believed, and that Christ is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. But at some point, fairly recently, the question that I posted this morning made its way into my head.

You know, there really is nothing more scary–I don’t think–than to question what you truly believe at a very fundamental level. It’s not hard to feel alone when you, even for a second, start wondering whether you believe the way you do because of your parents, where you grew up, where you went to church, where you went to school, etc. I hate questioning. I want to believe. I want my faith to be stronger, not weaker.

Anyway, Mark, you asked for my opinion on what I think about the question I asked, and do I think Jesus is THE only way? My answer is: Yes, I do believe, and perhaps it’s that simple. The fact of the matter is that Jesus has been very real to me for a long time now. And that’s why I believe.

Your other question is a very important one: Where do I think the church is going wrong on this? I don’t know. I have more questions than answers. But I do know that some Christians respond to these kinds of questions by questioning whether the asker is even a Christian. The response goes something like: If you had REALLY accepted Christ as your Savior then you wouldn’t doubt or question the fundamentals. This is not helpful. So, I guess my only thought here is that we should tell people–as most of you have done–that it’s okay to ask tough questions. To the extent we struggle with tough questions, and allow God to work in our lives to help us make peace with those questions (and perhaps the lack of answers), then couldn’t that make us better witnesses? After all, how many non-Christians do we all know that ask similar questions?

Great comment. Anything that can leave my friend Jimmy speechless is remarkable. (Jimmy, I hope you know that I do love your feedback)

All,

I’ve enjoyed all of the thoughtful responses so far to this post. Your comments make our posts so much better. Thanks.

I am wondering how to interpret the ClickComments on this post. Does it mean people want me to write more about my lunch, more about the topic of people who do not believe God exists, or simply post more since I have not been posting as frequently as normal? I guess that is the disadvantage of ClickComments.

Before I get what bugs me, I want to say thanks to Bobby for bringing up a potentially controversial issue and I appreciate it even more because I know that he is in relationship with folks who are not following Christ. It makes the conversation seem more real to me.

But look, if you only have doubts every once in a while or from “time to time” then I would seriously question how engaged you are in the real world, outside the church walls. First, doubt isn’t the opposite of faith and second, BPL isn’t doubting. He’s questioning the legitimacy of some of the claims the church is making on things Jesus said. these are very different things.

And the way of the master is just flat messed up. I’d use stronger language but it’s not my blog. Way of the Master is abusive, and brow beats people in unreasonable ways in the way of reason.

Since when is it a sin to doubt? Since when it is ok to no longer have to work out your faith with fear and trembling? Since when do we see through the glass clearly?

Doubt is the shadow cast by faith. Doubt is always present in faith. Always. let’s give ourselves permission to not have answers for folks like BPL and ourselves.

BPL,
All the books listed above are really good tools. The Case For Christ being my favorite. What helped me be more convinced why Jesus is the only way is a class I took studying the different world religions. Sounds like a crazy way to strengthen your faith doesn’t it? But as I studied what each one believed I became more convinced that what I believed was the only way. I definitely would not recommend this to everyone because it can cause doubt for some but it helped me.

FYI- My class was taught by a Christian and we did look at the religions from a Christian world view.

I rarely run into a person who doesn’t believe in God.. I’m not sure, but I think Dawkins would even say there is a God, but (and I’m guessing here) he would not attribute personal characteristics to it/him/her.

People I talk with (which is very limited) are asking if God is really loving in a world filled with pain. or What kind of God would say, “I love you more than anything so much I gave my son for you, but if you don’t love me back on my specific conditions, then I’m going to make you burn in hell of all eternity. What kind of father would sacrifice his son, is that divine child abuse. or What kind of God would allow ___________ to happen?

Sometimes these are questions people are asking based on personal experience. Sometimes
they ask questions that are philosophical. Often they are asking questions that are born from a complete disagreement or lack of generosity from the church when it comes to it’s description or understanding of God.

In other words, often the church doesn’t represent God all that well.

Certainly God is bigger than the church, and God is working outside the church to bring about his Kingdom it just that we don’t talk about those things and it’s confusing to folks. Thus we get questions like BPL’s.

BPL,

I’d love to hear your opinion on what you think about the question you are asking. Do you think Jesus is THE only way? Why or why not? Where do you you think the church is going wrong on this?
I’d really love to hear your thoughts.

mark

We, as believers, should always be looking for where God is at work around us and adjust our life to line up with where HE is working and with His will. We may be the first person in a long line of people that God has placed in the path of this person on their journey to developing a relationship with Christ.

BPL — don’t feel guilty or ashamed about having doubts or questions. If we are all honest, we ALL have doubts and questions from time to time. I am praying for you as well.

wayofthemasterradio.com addresses these issues on a daily basis. Available online or as a podcast two hours a day. I’ve found the program riveting and gives me much food for thought.

Please do not feel guilty about sincerely wrestling with faith and the sovereignty of faith. There is a very big distinction between continual, earnest seeking and downright disbelief or dismissiveness. It is much better to wrestle with Christ and faith than to never fully address anything and never know what you believe. Craig did a sermon on fire tested faith during the “Fearless” series about Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego.

I do not know of any passionate, authentic follower of Christ who has not ultimately faced the question or issues you are facing.

I know I certainly have faced the same doubts you have now.

And to an extent, always will. Genuine questions indicate a desire for more, which is not a bad thing. As long as your heart and mind are open to hearing Truth then please do not place the burden of guilt upon your shoulders.

Perhaps God is drawing you closer by making you seek harder or refining your faith or conceptual ideas about Christ.

There will be a book coming out in October entitled, “The Apologetics Study Bible,” which I recommend.

You might have read “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis already and even though it has some weak spots, I believe it is a book written for those who genuinely question the deeper things.

You are in my prayers, right now.

Thanks for your honesty and your sincere question. Others may know some good resources. My best recommendation is “Case For Christ” by Lee Strobel. I’d be happy to mail you a copy if you get your address to sarah@lifechurch.tv.

I am praying for you as I send this comment. God’s best to you.

Why are we right and why is everybody else wrong? I understand that our faith is based on salvation through Jesus Christ. So, please don’t misunderstand my question. I’m really struggling with this. Any books, blogs, or whatever that anyone could refer me to that might be helpful?

The Hare Krishna services I use to go to in L.A. usually included a full vegetarian spread. A main motivation for going. :)

No, you can’t assume that everybody who walks in the door believes in God. At the same time, you also can’t respond by constantly defending His existence when even HE doesn’t in his own Word. The proverbs and psalms both refer to atheists as fools, not because of lack of intelligence, but for unequivocally cutting themselves off from the only source of true joy, peace, happiness… all the fruit of the spirit.

However, what might be more useful is to remember that the great majority of “modern” people in this world, whether they “believe” in God or not, live their lives under a kind of functional atheism. When you find religious hypocrites, you’ve found atheists, too.

Just assume that people walking in the door who haven’t shown the fruit of the spirit don’t really believe in God. The only other thing to really remember are the people who DO believe in the supernatural, and who are always messing around with it through some kind of New Age-ey stuff. I was like this in my youth: either convinced of our spiritual isolation in the universe, of being only so much walking meat, or totally in love with the idea of a spiritual reality that was invisible but with which we could interact.. and control. Either way is proud and foolish, and cuts us off from God. Point to Jesus, and pray for His spirit to come out of your mouth.