Doubt, Faith, and Certainty
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
Doubt, faith, certainty. In this book celebrated theologian Anthony Thiselton provides clarity on these complicated, long-misunderstood theological concepts and the practical pastoral problems they raise for Christians. He reminds us that doubt is not always bad, faith can have different meanings in different circumstances, and certainty is fragile.
Drawing on his expertise in the fields of exegesis and hermeneutics, biblical studies, and the history of Christian thought, Thiselton works his way through the labyrinth of past definitions while offering better, more nuanced theological understandings of these three interrelated concepts. The result is a book that speaks profoundly to some of our deepest existential concerns.
Key Features
- Presents the idea of a degree of doubt stimulating fresh thought
- Examines the multiple meanings of the terms doubt, faith, and certainty
- Looks at different approaches to each of these terms and their modern application
Contents
- The Various Meanings of Doubt, Faith, and Certainty
- Doubt
- Doubt and Skepticism
- Doubt and Belief
- Faith
- Faith as Belief or Faith as Trust?
- Faith, Reason, and Argument in Biblical and Modern Thought
- Certainty
- Differing Concepts and Contexts of Certainty
- Three Approaches to Certainty
- Eschatological Certainty and the Holy Spirit
Top Highlights
“Admittedly in the biblical writings the actual word ‘doubt’ occurs more frequently with negative implications than positive ones. Nevertheless much of the Bible enjoins humility and the limits of knowledge. Moreover the Bible often provides examples of the need for critical reflection.” (Page 3)
“The different meanings and significances of doubt constitute an immensely practical and potentially liberating pastoral and intellectual issue. It is a practical disaster that in popular thought some view all doubt as a sign of weakness and lack of faith; while others, by contrast, extol doubt as always a sign of mature, sophisticated reflection.” (Page 1)
“Doubt, then, can function either negatively as a term that stands in contrast to trust, faith, or wholeheartedness; or positively as a term to denote self-criticism, humility, and careful reflection. Often only attention to the context of the word ‘doubt’ will indicate the sense in which it is to be understood. I note this in connection with faith and certainty as well. Philosophers and those who specialize in linguistics often use the term ‘polymorphous’ to denote those words that vary their meaning in accordance with their context. This linguistic phenomenon is more widespread than we might at first imagine.” (Pages 3–4)
“Today this distinction between academic knowledge and communal, moral, practical, God-orientated wisdom is more crucial than ever for modern culture. Knowledge, as such, in a computerized, electronic age is often seen as sheer information. This may be available instantly, at the touch of a fingertip, without effort. Wisdom, by contrast, takes time and training, may depend on tradition, and may involve ethical dispositions. Wisdom relates to how we use information.” (Page 33)
Praise for the Print Edition
At a time when many religious believers are clinging ever more tightly to their beliefs, Thiselton ably defends a positive place for doubt in Christian faith that looks forward to certainty. For Thiselton, doubt involves the humility to rethink one’s position, consider viable alternatives, and thereby deepen one’s faith while awaiting the certainty of the eschaton. Engaging an impressive array of contemporary and historical thinkers, Thiselton has provided rich material for serious reflection.
—Steven L. Porter, Biola University
About Anthony Thiselton
Anthony C. Thiselton is professor of Christian Theology at the University of Nottingham. He holds three doctorates (PhD, DD, DD) and has published important works on 1 Corinthians, hermeneutics, and has done research on modern theology, philosophy of religion, and the application of philosophy of language to biblical studies.