Consistency seems to be one way we measure the integrity of a political candidate: Hillary said one thing about nuclear weapons last week, but in 1986 she said something different! Ted Cruz favors a certain policy on immigration, but ten years ago, he is on the record saying the opposite! Oh no!
Changing your opinion – perhaps because of new information that comes to light or advancing your thinking – is interpreted as “flip flopping,” and not to be trusted.
Oh please.
Maybe we should bring out the fact that Bernie had an overdue library book in fifth grade. This might indicate a frightening disregard for rules.
Instead, I think we should be frightened of those people who embody moral certitude, who claim with righteous indignation the inferiority of one group of people, who preach the primacy of national security for America no matter who or what it tramples, who insist that unless you “believe in” Jesus, you are lost for eternity. No flip-flopping here.
I don’t think that doubt is the enemy of faith, but blind fanaticism is.
In my thirty plus years as a preacher, no topic has drawn me more than doubt. Raised as a conservative Lutheran, I was taught that I would be “saved” by faith. So I tried very hard to “believe” but often failed.
So do many of you, I would expect. And we feel guilty about it.
Once again, I am presented next Sunday with a Scriptural text about doubt: it is the story of wonderful Thomas; in my opinion, the most discerning and mentally nimble of the disciples. The one who asks the tough questions. Certainly my favorite of the Twelve.
Actually, God seems pretty doubt-tolerant! However, who does not crave the comfort and direction of more faith and wonder how to get there…..
More on Sunday….
See you in church.
Barbara
