Encountering the doubter: ‘Is doubt a sin?’

The reason I ask this question is that the Bible seems to take differing attitudes towards the doubter. For example the risen Jesus rebukes Thomas saying ‘Stop doubting and believe’ (John 20:27). James is similarly critical of those who doubt writing when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:6). However, Jude counsels be merciful to those who doubt (Jude 22).

My belief is that the differing attitudes towards doubt are due to the different nature of the doubter. Before we conclude that a person’s doubt is sin we should look at the heart that is being exposed in the doubt. Thomas is not an example of a person with a genuine intellectual struggle he is someone who has was presented with ample testimony but stubbornly refused to believe. Likewise the Bible is consistent in calling for faith in prayer (e.g. Mark 11:23-25) because we are to have a child-like trust that the God of the universe can respond to our requests. However, there is no sense of rebuke with the genuine struggler who exclaims ‘I believe; help me overcome my unbelief’ (Mark 9:24). Jude seems to be thinking of people who are genuinely confused by the activity of false-teachers and the fact that some have left the church under their influence. Of the Jude text Michael Green writes:

When men begin are beginning to waver, that is the time for a well-taught Christian to come alongside them and help. A man who is flirting with false teaching is not to be ‘sent to Coventry’ by his Christian friends; they must have him in for coffee and chat it over with him in love. And they must know the faith so well that they can convince him while he is still hesitating. A loving approach, a sense of the right occasion and a carefully-thought-out Christian position—these are the qualities required …

Thinking through this topic a friend suggested that there seems to be culpable doubt and non-culpable doubt. Tidball exclaims that contrary to popular thinking, doubting is not necessarily wrong. When we encounter the doubter we need to take time and listen, seeking to understand what attitude of heart lies behind the doubt. Only then will we be in a position to think through an appropriate response. Even where stubbornness is at the root of the doubts we should seek to lovingly engage with the person, as well as challenging them towards repentance.