Comments on: The Ants in the Pants of Faith http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:06:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jackie F http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70696 Jackie F Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:37:37 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70696 Here's the thing about doubt: I don't see anywhere in the Bible that says doubt is a good and healthy part of a life of faith. In fact, I see people chastened harshly when they weren't even aware they were doubting. What would Jesus say to me when I'm consciously having doubt-filled thoughts? and sometimes sharing those thoughts? Me, of little faith. I don't know any other way to be but analytical. It's part of my fabric. The doubt worms its unwelcome way into my walk with God and my reading of his Word. My thoughts always come back around to faith in God, but I'm never able to shake the doubting heckler in the back of my mind. I like to think God understands and blesses this part of me, but I don't see any Biblical indication of that. Have you? Here’s the thing about doubt: I don’t see anywhere in the Bible that says doubt is a good and healthy part of a life of faith. In fact, I see people chastened harshly when they weren’t even aware they were doubting. What would Jesus say to me when I’m consciously having doubt-filled thoughts? and sometimes sharing those thoughts? Me, of little faith.

I don’t know any other way to be but analytical. It’s part of my fabric. The doubt worms its unwelcome way into my walk with God and my reading of his Word. My thoughts always come back around to faith in God, but I’m never able to shake the doubting heckler in the back of my mind.

I like to think God understands and blesses this part of me, but I don’t see any Biblical indication of that. Have you?

]]> By: Joe Baggett http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70379 Joe Baggett Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:11:08 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70379 You know the pillar to authentic faith is honest doubt. We are in a terrible situation in the cofC because so little of our faith is really based on struggling with and answering the honest doubt at the bottom of our heart. You know I just finished a class on discussions of belief and un-belief using Christopher Hitchens book “God is not great”. It occurred to me that very few people really understand the post modern mind in its quest for the invisible God. I can’t tell you how many times people in the class answered with “Well I believe it just because”. The questions they ask and the way they understand reality and truth is much different then people did 50 years ago. You know the pillar to authentic faith is honest doubt. We are in a terrible situation in the cofC because so little of our faith is really based on struggling with and answering the honest doubt at the bottom of our heart.

You know I just finished a class on discussions of belief and un-belief using Christopher Hitchens book “God is not great”. It occurred to me that very few people really understand the post modern mind in its quest for the invisible God. I can’t tell you how many times people in the class answered with “Well I believe it just because”. The questions they ask and the way they understand reality and truth is much different then people did 50 years ago.

]]> By: Charlton http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70268 Charlton Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:08:02 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70268 LOL. I read this post early Monday AM. Your first line caught me off guard and gave me a great laugh to start the week. Thanks. LOL. I read this post early Monday AM. Your first line caught me off guard and gave me a great laugh to start the week. Thanks.

]]> By: Scott http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70261 Scott Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:33:19 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70261 Great thoughts Kevin... I for one am all for injustice IF by injustice we mean NOT getting what we deserve by way of some legalistic code (no matter how "Godly" that code is). I think this is the submission that is required of us... not that we submit to the code (we fail at that consistently) but that we submit to the fact that we are hopelessly mired in sin. I am. And so I thank God for Christ and the injustice he submitted himself to on my behalf. I think the real question is this: to what degree are we willing to submit similarly to injustices done to us for the sake of others? My inability to do that is often what causes my doubt. Can I really be that loving and graceful? Am I ready to be that loving and graceful? Great thoughts Kevin…

I for one am all for injustice IF by injustice we mean NOT getting what we deserve by way of some legalistic code (no matter how “Godly” that code is). I think this is the submission that is required of us… not that we submit to the code (we fail at that consistently) but that we submit to the fact that we are hopelessly mired in sin. I am. And so I thank God for Christ and the injustice he submitted himself to on my behalf.

I think the real question is this: to what degree are we willing to submit similarly to injustices done to us for the sake of others? My inability to do that is often what causes my doubt. Can I really be that loving and graceful? Am I ready to be that loving and graceful?

]]> By: Kevin Burt http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70260 Kevin Burt Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:24:25 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70260 It is "injustice" for a sinner to enter God's presence only if one views such from a Roman, legalistic perspective. In the OT, the "justice" of God was largely that he loved Israel, even when she "went whoring" after other lovers. His righteousness and justice were seen best because he kept his promise to love, even when the recipients were unworthy. It has been said that atheism only really flourished AFTER mankind began to conceive of God as a "God of justice," in the sense meant by Anselm and his descendants. The Fathers of the Eastern Church rarely painted God's justice as "fairness" or "strict orderliness." To them, as to the Hebrews, His justice was his unremitting love, his unflagging seeking out and saving, and healing, of that which was lost; it is God's love that truly justifies Him as the One God of the Israelites, made known in Christ, not his "courtroom fairness." Not disagreeing with anything... just adding thoughts to the kettle... It is “injustice” for a sinner to enter God’s presence only if one views such from a Roman, legalistic perspective. In the OT, the “justice” of God was largely that he loved Israel, even when she “went whoring” after other lovers. His righteousness and justice were seen best because he kept his promise to love, even when the recipients were unworthy.

It has been said that atheism only really flourished AFTER mankind began to conceive of God as a “God of justice,” in the sense meant by Anselm and his descendants. The Fathers of the Eastern Church rarely painted God’s justice as “fairness” or “strict orderliness.” To them, as to the Hebrews, His justice was his unremitting love, his unflagging seeking out and saving, and healing, of that which was lost; it is God’s love that truly justifies Him as the One God of the Israelites, made known in Christ, not his “courtroom fairness.”

Not disagreeing with anything… just adding thoughts to the kettle…

]]> By: ZZPuck http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70259 ZZPuck Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:34:04 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70259 Is Blackberry cobbler a steroid? If so, I'm all in. I like Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading by Eugene Peterson for healthy "reading" of Scripture. Peace. Is Blackberry cobbler a steroid? If so, I’m all in.

I like Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading by Eugene Peterson for healthy “reading” of Scripture.

Peace.

]]> By: SG http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70258 SG Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:27:27 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70258 There are no steroids in guacamole. Leland, Faith is a gift. I truly believe that. Faith is not something we can muster. We can't fake it till we make it. We can ask God for faith though. We can plead for it! Many times I have asked God to give me the faith I lacked. In his own time, he always has. I will pray that God will grant you the faith you seek. And hope you will continue to share your journey with us here! There are no steroids in guacamole.

Leland,
Faith is a gift. I truly believe that. Faith is not something we can muster. We can’t fake it till we make it. We can ask God for faith though. We can plead for it! Many times I have asked God to give me the faith I lacked. In his own time, he always has. I will pray that God will grant you the faith you seek. And hope you will continue to share your journey with us here!

]]> By: Keith Brenton http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70257 Keith Brenton Sun, 16 Dec 2007 14:46:43 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70257 I figure that Mike's steroidal substitute is good guacamole. I figure that Mike’s steroidal substitute is good guacamole.

]]> By: Richard http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70255 Richard Sun, 16 Dec 2007 05:29:27 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70255 I've talked to Mike Cope about his alleged steroid use. He told me it was just flaxseed oil. And I, for one, believe him. Despite the size of his head. I’ve talked to Mike Cope about his alleged steroid use. He told me it was just flaxseed oil.

And I, for one, believe him. Despite the size of his head.

]]> By: Kristin Robinson http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70253 Kristin Robinson Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:32:18 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70253 I feel about doubts in faith like I do about courage. Great courage is not that you aren't ever afraid--it's that you do something even though you're afraid. Likewise, great faith is not that you don't ever have doubts--it's that you believe even though you have doubts. I feel about doubts in faith like I do about courage. Great courage is not that you aren’t ever afraid–it’s that you do something even though you’re afraid. Likewise, great faith is not that you don’t ever have doubts–it’s that you believe even though you have doubts.

]]> By: Ryan Roberts http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70251 Ryan Roberts Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:14:57 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70251 Thanks for your posts. I am a regular reader of your blog living in South Korea. I always appreciate your thoughts. Doubt happens...but is oftentimes on the way to a deepening of understanding and faith. The antithesis of faith is not doubt but rather it is anxiety--worry, a lack of trust in God. For me, this is where the real battle is. Merry Christmas Thanks for your posts. I am a regular reader of your blog living in South Korea. I always appreciate your thoughts.

Doubt happens…but is oftentimes on the way to a deepening of understanding and faith. The antithesis of faith is not doubt but rather it is anxiety–worry, a lack of trust in God. For me, this is where the real battle is.

Merry Christmas

]]> By: Katherine http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70249 Katherine Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:45:18 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70249 Leland, I will be praying that you can someday :) Doubts are what sometimes can lead us to a stronger faith (somehow!) Keep searching-He's already found you and knows you-that is the great news! I enjoy your questions and candor, and pray you find joy and peace in the journey... Leland,

I will be praying that you can someday :)

Doubts are what sometimes can lead us to a stronger faith (somehow!) Keep searching-He’s already found you and knows you-that is the great news! I enjoy your questions and candor, and pray you find joy and peace in the journey…

]]> By: Leland http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70248 Leland Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:53:17 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70248 Mike, I hate to admit it but I have nothing adversarial to say. Good post even though its the "cream" which did it. "I am, however, a believer. “Lord, I believe; help my doubts.”" I sincerely would like to say this someday. Mike,

I hate to admit it but I have nothing adversarial to say. Good post even though its the “cream” which did it.

“I am, however, a believer. “Lord, I believe; help my doubts.””

I sincerely would like to say this someday.

]]> By: Larry James http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70242 Larry James Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:44:21 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70242 Cope, the way you preach, navigate an audience, make us laugh and then in about the same moment rip our hearts out. . .I've always figured you were taking steroids. It's okay. There is no preachers' Hall of Fame that I know of. Confession is good for the soul. Come clean with us. No one can preach like that naturally! Cope, the way you preach, navigate an audience, make us laugh and then in about the same moment rip our hearts out. . .I’ve always figured you were taking steroids. It’s okay. There is no preachers’ Hall of Fame that I know of. Confession is good for the soul. Come clean with us. No one can preach like that naturally!

]]> By: Mark http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70241 Mark Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:43:02 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/12/15/the-ants-in-the-pants-of-faith#comment-70241 Mike, I'm begging you: if you expose my steroid use, I'm ruined. All my baptismal records will have to have an asterisk next to them! Mike, I’m begging you: if you expose my steroid use, I’m ruined. All my baptismal records will have to have an asterisk next to them!

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