Doubt: A Many Headed Enemy

In 1849 Alfred Lord Tennyson completed his great poem 'In Memoriam A.H.H', a work which was prompted by the sudden death of his friend Arthur Henry Hallam from a cerebral hemorrhage in Vienna in 1833. One of the greatest works of the Victorian era, the poem witnesses Tennyson, with Job-like tenacity, seeking to come to terms with grief, loss and concerns about how such awful events can happen when a good God ordains all things. Written against the backdrop of new views of human origins and evolution, the poem came to take on greater significance than a private elegy to a good friend - carrying with it the epic strains and grand concepts produced in the heart of the poet by honest doubt. In one section of the work Tennyson laments that:

I falter where I firmly trod,

And falling with my weight of cares

Upon the great world's altar-stairs

That slope thro' darkness up to God.

The poem does eventually bring a degree of resolution and certainty, but only after Tennyson has articulated the pain and wrestling which spiritual equivocation bring. 'I falter where I firmly trod' might be written across the mouth of the seemingly endless cavern known as doubt. The path of belief, which once appeared smooth and seamless, now corkscrews through territory that seems lined with precipices, and which may well terminate in a bottomless canyon.

The causes for doubt, however, are much less universal. For many, sudden loss or trauma such as that experienced by Tennyson shatters the myth of a linear life, and exposes fault lines in their faith which they were previously unaware of. For others the erosive effects of a media which seeks to mould the mind on the anvil of science and humanism are felt deeply and ultimately lead to a slackening of their grip on what they once held tightly. For others still, doubt can seem to have little rationality, and may be the consequence of tiredness, isolation from fellowship, or excessive energy expended in serving God.

Given the many strains of the doubt virus (and its ability to mutate under treatment) is there really any point in trying to address the issue? Surely if this condition has so many causes, no article or series of studies can really hope to eradicate it?

This may be so, but underlying the individual symptoms which many experience are certain common elements which can be treated, and certain truths and foci which might allow relief from the embittering experience of a loss of certainty. As with any condition, realising that one is not alone, that others suffer too, can be a huge source of encouragement and support - and can lead to the embarrassment factor of doubt being reduced considerably. The enemy is then viewed as common to many Christians, and what was once unspoken and internalised becomes possible to articulate and ultimately address.

Isolation and feelings of doubt make for a potent and dangerous cocktail - and yet one does inevitably follow upon the other. In the context of local church life doubt is rarely addressed, and sentiments of victory and certainty often take top billing. In this kind of atmosphere doubting souls can find themselves feeling disconnected and disillusioned, staring across a seemingly yawning chasm between their actual experience and the projected experience of others. In this kind of relational vacuum it is almost impossible to make one's voice heard, or to feel that there is any resonance for the sense of malaise which is crippling the heart. And so begins an introspective spiral, in which minor doubts which could easily be addressed cast a disproportionate shadow across the spiritual life, magnifying the mouse-like dimensions of our actual doubt into a monstrous shadow which puts a lag on all of our best efforts at self-treatment.

This post is simply an attempt to whisper into the darkness of doubt's cavernous depths, and to reassure any struggling soul that just as doubt has been entered by certain routes, there are definite ways to exit. Doubt need not be an abyss, but can be an opportunity for growth, for fellowship, for a renewed sense of God's faithfulness, and a deeper empathy for others who find themselves entangled and trapped by uncertainty and misgiving.

Breaking the Taboo on a Common Condition

It's a taboo word at times, although thousands suffer from the condition in silence and with unimaginable pain. In history it has been documented although not dwelt on, for fear that its highly contagious nature might infect others and cause untold disruption. It has led to the premature downfall of many, and left others severely disfigured or partially sighted. The real tragedy is that treatment (although difficult and specific to each case) is possible, and often highly successful. I am writing, of course, about Christian doubt. For anyone who has been through the valley, or felt the dark touch of spiritual uncertainty upon their shoulder, the pain and paralysis which it can bring are known only too well. Over the next while on this blog, in a series of short posts, I want to write about doubt, seeking to diagnose the problem and suggest therapies and treatments which may not utterly dispel it, but may at least palliate its symptoms or drive the problem down to a manageable and non-threatening level.

I've held back a little before commencing this series of posts. My reasons for doing so are that talking about doubt can provoke the condition in others, rather than bring balm - and answering questions can sometimes prompt unsuspecting readers or listeners to ask questions. But I personally have been through the experience of deep doubt on a number of occasions in my Christian life, and have learned at least a few lessons about myself, about the solidity of our hope in God, and the profound grace of God in dealing with us gently and reprovingly, to bring us back to a settled sense of His reality and greatness.

And so over the next number of weeks I'll post about doubt. Please do feel free to get in contact if the posts which follow touch on issues which you have faced/are facing - either in the public forum of the comments, or via email (see the contact details in the sidebar).

In the interim as we journey into the dark heart of Christian doubt, please do be assured that there are ways out, and that God can meet you in the midst of uncertainty and fluctuation - breathing His awesome truth and majesty to your doubting heart.

Seek more from God, less from Earth

In the quote below Puritan Richard Baxter may not actually use the term 'prosperity gospel', but his target is the same. How sad that the disappointment which so many people feel with 'Christianity' is legitimate, because they have been sold a completely wrong picture of what it means to trust in Christ. I found myself challenged and humbled by what Baxter has to share here:

'When Christians let fall their heavenly expectations but heighten their earthly desires, they are preparing themselves for fear and trouble. Who has met with a distressed, complaining soul, where either a low expectation of heavenly blessings, or too high a hope for joy on earth is not present? What keeps us under trouble is either we do not expect what God has promised, or we expect what He did not promise. We are grieved at crosses, losses, wrongs of enemies, unkind dealings of our friends, sickness, or contempt and scorn in the world. But who encouraged you to expect any better? Was it prosperity, riches, credit, friends that God called for you to believe? Do you have any promises for these things in His Word? If you make a promise to yourself, and then your own promise deceives you, whom should you blame for that? We have less comfort in earthly things because we have too high and expectation from them. Alas, when will we learn from Scripture and providence to seek far more from God, and far less from the earth?'

Richard Baxter, Practical Works, II: 884-885

One Final Thought on Election 2010

This year's General Election has certainly managed to capture the popular imagination. Unusually within the United Kingdom the general public have found themselves glued to what has been happening at Westminster, in spite of all that might be said about voter apathy. That has also been reflected on a lot of the Christian blogs I read , which seldom make mention of politics but have foregone that principle because of the current zeitgeist that the election has generated. Double Usefulness has been no exception, and while I never comment on Northern Ireland sectarian politics here, I've found myself increasingly drawn into the social, moral and psychological complexities that this year's ballot has thrown up.

Today I simply want to post some brief thoughts on the historic events of yesterday, and some of the illustrative power they have in terms of the Gospel and God's work. After that normal service will resume, with little direct mention of politicians or policy.

Tuesday 11th May 2010 will undoubtedly be remembered in history as a day when many moulds were broken. On his excellent political blog Nick Robinson records some of the historic elements of David Cameron coming to power, including the fact that he is the youngest Prime Minister in 200 years. The most compelling factoid, however, has to be the coalition which now exists between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats - a partnership which few could have foreseen or credited. Undoubtedly this new alliance will prompt much praise and many criticisms, and time will tell whether it proves to be a viable means of governance, but it does give rise to a lot of ideological issues, not least when thought through in terms of how Christians operate, and co-operate.

As I listened compulsively to Radio 4 yesterday, a number of thoughts arose in my mind as to what parallels can be drawn between the process of forming this new government, and how Christians can relate to one another meaningfully. Out of this, one main thought emerged for me, and has become a point of prayer this morning: the need to see our need of each other.

A few months ago the pundits were raining plaudits on David Cameron as the man to lead the Conservative Party to a decisive victory in the May election. Many were foreseeing the sunshine bathed images of David Cameron greeting the grasping hands of an adoring public, delivering them from the dull thud politics of Gordon Brown. Events last Thursday proved to be very different indeed. While the Conservatives certainly won the election, no party could lay claim to a clear majority. A sense of mutual dependency quickly set in, and last night's new government stands as a testimony to people who harbour serious differences realising that in an unstable political climate, coalition is crucial.

There are surely lessons in this for us as Christians. I am not here thinking about ecumenism, nor of the Manhattan declaration and its successors - in terms of standing with people whose theology is utterly divided from one another on the 'big' moral issues. Rather I am thinking of the need for evangelicals to see the need for coalition, co-operation and mutual prayer in our current context.

This is, thankfully, already happening. The Together for the Gospel intiative in the USA, as well as organisations like the Proclamation Trust inviting speakers from the other end of their theological spectrum to minister at the EMA next month, are healthy signs that as believers we have recognised the fact that we really need each other.

Coalition is no easy thing, however. It has a tendency to throw up tensions and absurdities which simply are not experienced when we are isolationist or excessively separatist. Major figures will come under fire for alleged compromise, and others outside of the partnership will find it easy to throw stones. This will undoubtedly happen with the Lib-Con coalition in coming days, and it has been the regrettable experience of key evangelical figures also. John MacArthur, for instance, faced a maelstrom of criticism for his alliance with Reformed Charismatics like C. J. Mahaney. Tolerance of being misunderstood, misrepresented and even openly maligned is one of the inherent dangers of stepping outside of one's circle to further the good of the Gospel more broadly.

There are of course times when such coalition raises credible questions, which should be addressed with grace on the part of those asking, and openness on the part of those answering. A recent example of this has been John Piper's invitation to Rick Warren to minister at an upcoming Desiring God conference. I'd rather sit on the fence with this one than come down heavily on either side - especially given the invective, criticism, and hostility that Piper has faced as a result. Whether or not a Piper-Warren coalition is advisable or even possible is one thing, seasoning our words about it with salt is quite another.

Written large across the current British political scene are three words which must strike a chord with many among the electorate: 'the national interest'. There is a sense in which both Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have had to set aside their differences, compromise on policy and face external/internal criticism because they believe that the welfare of a nation in crisis is paramount. As believers it is easy to see the coming storm that awaits the church in the United Kingdom. Moral currency in our country has faced a multiple dip recession across many decades, and the hostility confronting gospel proclamation is becoming increasingly confident, vocal and militant. How tragic if we failed to realise that at the root of good gospel partnership is not merely 'the national interest' but the 'eternal interest' of the moral life of our nation and the souls of its citizens.

Coalition is a conundrum, but a good conundrum in my estimation. Perhaps - unusually - there are lessons for our churches to learn from the political world, which could make a massive difference in our churches, our publications, and our witness to a world which is not waiting to hear our message.

Photo credit: The Prime Minister's Office

Owen on Temptation 1

John Grier's Evangelical Bookshop in Belfast is something of a treasure trove. Not only does he stock newly published titles at excellent prices, but the second hand section tucked away at the back of the shop is well worth mining. About ten years ago I was rummaging through some boxes which had just arrived with John, and came across a damp damaged set of John Owen's works - sixteen volumes published by Banner of Truth. The dust jackets on the books were a terrible sight, but the prices scrawled in pencil inside the actual books made purchasing them irresistible. One of the volumes had lost a page, and the previous owner had painstakingly transcribed it in his own hand so that the continuity wasn't lost. That night my Dad and I removed and disposed of the battered jackets and set each book out on the radiators around the house to try to arrest the damp which was encroaching into the actual boards. Within a few days my Dad had backed the books in transparent plastic, and they have remained in great order ever since - I think I got the whole set for around £30 to £40.

Recently I've been reading and preaching on the topic of temptation. For me the finest treatment on the subject is John Owen's little book Temptation Resisted and Repulsed. This comes in volume six of the complete works, sandwiched between Owen's other great treatments of mortification, and indwelling sin in the life of the believer. This volume is also available in paperback with updated English from the Banner.

Owen has an ability to write incisively, analytically and pastorally about this blight which all believers face. Over the next while I thought I might simply post some quotes from this little book - sharing the encouragement and challenge which Owen has been to me on such a vital subject, and perhaps inspiring one of the three readers of this blog to pick up Temptation Resisted and Repulsed for themselves, and to be blessed.

"The efficacy of an antidote is found when poison hath been taken; and preciousness of medicines is made known by diseases. We shall never know what strength there is in grace if we know not what strength there is in temptation" (p.94)