Is faith synonymous with doubt?
by Stephan Joubert Last week I again encountered Wilhelm Jordaan’s article on faith, doubt and pain that was published in Die Beeld on 18 July. In this article, he bids faith in Jesus as the supernatural Son of God farewell, while he now understands the Bible as a collection of religious documents particular to a certain era. In the same breath, however, he pleads to continue “indestructibly” staying part of his congregation. One would be able to have a long conversation with Wilhelm about his understanding of the Gospels from a closed view of history. You would also be able to converse with him about his subtle language-game (like his choice of rational language for defining believers in biblical truth [they are even typecast as traditionalsts], whilst he uses empathetic emotional terminology for himself throughout). In the same breath, it would be an interesting conversation to hear how Wilhelm escapes from the corner that he has built with his choice of religion as a mystical experience of God and a corresponding difference–making effort in the lives of others, “... rather than endlessly arguing about the correct faith–phrases and to become intolerant when others’ religious language does not please you.” While Wilhelm makes profound theological statements about those of the Christendom, he isolates himself with such words in advance against any penetrating criticism, as by implication to be unloving. Doubt is a reality. Most of us understand something of Wilhelm’s own struggles. Therefore it is good news that the church is also meant for people wrestling and grappling with the truth. Nowhere in the Church of Christ do we find signs with words shouting: “Only solid believers, un-doubters and those who have everything sorted welcome.” But then doubt may also not become the new “moral high–ground” that gags the true gospel. Doubt is not a virtue. It’s not a condition that we embrace as the new “in-thing”. Doubt is a place to grow from, otherwise doubt becomes toxic. The correct route to depart from doubt is to sing with that old familiar song: “All my doubts I bring Jesus!” When we truly encounter Jesus with Thomas, we willingly give his testimony afterwards: “My Lord and my God.”