Wandering toward God : finding faith amid doubts and big questions / Travis Dickinson.

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Title:

Author:

Dickinson, Travis, author.

ISBN:

9780830847181

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Contents:

Intro -- Title Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- 1 Wandering but Not Lost -- 2 Doubt Defined -- 3 Certainty Is a House of Cards -- 4 The Virtue of Faith -- 5 Doubt Your Doubts -- 6 Asking Big Questions -- 7 The Reason for God -- 8 Something Extraordinary Happened -- 9 Our Deepest Longings -- 10 Is the God of the Bible Good and Loving? -- 11 Why Is There So Much Pain and Suffering? -- 12 Why Isn't God More Obvious? -- Conclusion: Christianity as the Way -- Notes -- Praise for Wandering Toward God -- About the Author -- More Titles from InterVarsity Press -- Copyright

Abstract:

"Is it wrong to doubt? Many Christians assume that doubt will lead us further away from God. However, Professor and philosopher Travis Dickinson says that doubt is an important step on the way. It's possible to wander toward God as we ask our questions honestly. As we do, we'll discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of God waiting for us"-- Provided by publisher.

Subject Term:

Faith.

Faith. (OCoLC)fst01198492

Genre:

Electronic books.

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Avon-Washington Township Public Library	Adult Nonfiction Book Paperback	120791003001217	234.23 DIC	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Outreach Resource of the Year

Is it wrong to doubt? Many Christians assume that doubt is faith's opposite and that wandering among the hard questions of faith will lead us further and further away from God. True believers, the assumption goes, never waver in their confidence in the fundamental truths of the Christian faith.

Professor and philosopher Travis Dickinson disagrees. Instead, he says, our doubts and hard questions about the faith are actually an important way we can express our commitment and love to God. Doubt isn't our destination but it's an important step on the way. It's possible to wander toward God as we ask our questions honestly, in faith and trust. As we do, we'll discover the truth, goodness, and beauty of God waiting for us.

Reviews (1)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Philosophy professor Dickinson (Logic and the Way of Jesus) makes a fitfully thoughtful case that doubt can lead to stronger faith. He suggests that "faith, when understood properly, can tolerate big questions and significant doubts," and argues that they are a normal part of a "mature Christian faith." He admits that while "doubting is not where we want to end up," God doesn't expect unwavering certainty from followers and that Christians should aspire to "rational confidence." To build that confidence, Dickinson rebuts major criticisms of Christianity and posits that though some of God's judgments may appear harsh (e.g., Noah's flood), humans cannot know God's reasons. Examining the historicity of Jesus's resurrection, Dickinson overstates the significance of Roman historian Tacitus's writings about Jesus, making the leap that a passage about Christianity's resurgence after the crucifixion proves Jesus's resurrection. The discussion of how to transform doubt into faith offers a nuanced and pragmatic perspective on resolving internal conflicts of belief. However, the flimsy apologetics won't sway skeptics; for example, the author answers the question of theodicy by claiming that God allowed WWII because it stopped the Axis powers, but he doesn't address why God permitted the Axis powers to form. Though Dickinson preaches to the choir, Christians wrestling with doubt will find some pearls of wisdom. (Oct.)