Help for Doubters

If you ever struggle with doubts, then you will want to read Mike Wittmer’s book, Despite Doubt: Embracing a Confident Faith. This book comes from Dr. Wittmer’s area of expertise and it is reliable theologically and sensitive to real life struggles.

The doubts of the disciples after the resurrection encourage me. Consider the verse:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. Matthew 28:16-17

Even in the presence of the resurrected Christ, the disciples still had their doubts.

Like I said, their doubts encourage me. The reason is that there are still times after being a pastor for decades that doubts take a run at me. And I am thankful I am not the first to need to work through doubts. (See also the Limping, Elevenish Recipients of the Great Commission).

As a pastor, and as a parent, I know that most of us work through doubts in one way or another. So I am thankful that Mike Wittmer has written a new book, Despite Doubt: Embracing a Confident Faith.

Here’s a quote from the introduction which should get your interest:

If faith requires knowledge, then the important question is not “What are your doubts?” but “What do you know?” The encouraging surprise of this book is that you may know more than you think – – -more than enough to believe, more than enough to put your doubts away (page 13).

This will be an especially important book for parents of teenagers who face all kinds of questions about doubts.

Below is the publishers blurb:

Many Christians struggle with the concept of walking by faith, especially in a world that says faith is all about taking risks, leaping into uncharted territory and expecting everything to be okay. In Despite Doubt, Michael E. Wittmer reexamines this popular viewpoint and encourages you to get a clear understanding of your assurance in God and salvation. You will examine the flipside of doubt that opens the door to questions, answers, and knowledge about securing your trust in God. Helping you to discover how to embrace a confident faith, Despite Doubt includes questions for reflection and discussion and is a perfect resource for small group study.