Unholy Rollers
“You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31
Doubt – “There is no word in Biblical Hebrew for doubt; there are many expressions of wonder. Just as in dealing with judgments, our starting point is doubt, wonder is the Biblical starting point in facing reality. The Biblical man’s sense for the mind-surpassing grandeur of reality prevents the power of doubt from setting up its own independent dynasty. Doubt is an act in which the mind inspects its own ideals; wonder is an act in which the mind confronts the universe” – Abraham Heschel.
Heschel’s comment makes us reconsider our typical understanding of doubt. Furthermore, it challenges our translation of this Greek passage in Matthew. Could Yeshua have really used a word that doesn’t exist in Biblical Hebrew? And if He didn’t speak of doubt, then what did He say to those men tossed about in the boat?
Most of the time we are told that doubt is not sin. In fact, we are often encouraged to express our doubts openly to God. He can handle them. It’s OK to question things. But take another look at Heschel’s comment. The essence of doubt is found in the story of the Fall. The serpent suggests that even if God did tell the couple what was true, they had their own faculties to determine if God’s word made sense for them. In Heschel’s words, Havvah inspected God’s word according to her own ideals. She doubted the truth of God’s instruction because she did not allow the wonder of creation to dispel the ridiculous suggestion that she had the capacity to decide what was true for herself. She did not confront the universe. She looked inside to inspect her own consideration of the matter. This is sin, plain and simple. When self-determination is the root of my actions, whether mental or physical, I oppose the truth of the Creator. I sin. I refuse to confront the wonder of it all. I deny my dependence. I reject His glory and mystery. I turn a blind eye toward the question of my own existence. No wonder Hebrew doesn’t have a word for this. In light of the Creator God, such an act is incomprehensible.
Ah, but we have a word for it, don’t we? We doubt – and excuse our affront to the Creator by acting as though we have a right to question His glory and authority. After all, He made us with the ability to choose, so what’s wrong with questioning Him? Actually, everything! This is self-idolization disguised as rational dilemma. The proper answer to this kind of arrogance is this: “What’s the matter with you? Are you so blind that you cannot see the handiwork of the Creator in front of your face? Do you imagine that you made all this? Do you imagine that you control and care for all this? Do you think your very being is the result of your action? Get real! Why are you setting yourself up as the arbiter of what is true and what is real? Look around you – and get some humility.”
Conversing with God about serious things is part of our experience with the God who cares for us. Questioning God’s authority or ownership is not. The biblical viewpoint is about an encounter with God’s care and God’s instructions. Doubt has no place in this arena because care and direction are the assumptions of the biblical point of view. It’s perfectly OK to ask God why. It’s sin to ask God “Says who?” Rolling on those waves is an unholy ride.
Topical Index: doubt, Heschel, Havvah, wonder, Matthew 14:31, Genesis 3:4, distazo
Skip, I really liked this article, as I do with the rest of the studies. What exactly did Yeshua say to his disciples according to the Hebrew text? Also in the 4th or 5th disc of the Hernaneutics CD’s you kind of spell out what is needed to do proper biblical studies i.e. Hebrew text, Septuagent, Strongs etc. Can you please send me some recommendations for titles so I can get into propoer study? I have been a pastor for a number of years in the UK but never have I been so excited as I am right now about what the message of the Bible really is about.
By the way, I did sign up for the database but can you tell me how I find out if there is anyone in the UK I can really network with? I am based in the North of England (Lancashire) but travel with work extensively throughout the UK. I am also a director of a company who specialise in reducing costs particularly in large industry. Energy reduction is a significant proportion of our business. I was in “full time” work for a church several years ago and now part of the Salt Church network of churches (see http://www.saltchurchfamily.org or http://www.saldaterra.net).
Love the daily studies; I am travelling to Texas next Friday (14th) until 24th and then will also be in Miami on Oct 22nd, any chance of meeting up?
Kindest regards
Steve
Psalm 145:1
Wonder is the Biblical starting point in facing reality.
I love the way Rabbis teach. IThey always seem to get you stimulated with questions. They make you think. As a kid in catechism classes there were so many questions that never got answered, or even given serious consideration, because we just had to accept and believe what we were being taught. There was no investigation to uncover the truth. So doubting what is being taught, has brought all of us to the walk we are on now. Not doubt in God, buy having the courage, and confidence in Him, to want to seek. That there is more to it then how it is being presented. Doubt plays an important part in searching, and consequentially, growth. Maybe thats wonder, not doubt.
What if Eve had asked God about not eating the forbidden fruit, returning to the original source of the instruction, rather than listening to another voice? Why didn’t she she at least consult with Adam who was actually there when He spoke the command? He was an eye/ear witness! Just wondering.
Mary, I’ve learned that Pride is the true source of all sin…it’s like Satan’s nickname. Pride came to her and she made the choice to throw aside humility. It’s why she could sin and it’s why she didn’t consult God…or Adam. She struck out on her own, thinking she had made the right choice. Instead, her actions should be the very reason we do nothing without consulting our Creator. We need to make sure we’re hearing His voice and not Pride’s. Just a thought…
Skip, I am blown away by today’s word [no pun intended]. Wonder vs. doubt…this makes such a strong impact on my soul. How many times have I believed I have the “God-given” right to doubt circumstances…yet, I realize today that I have none. Yes, I have repented in the past for doubting God’s faithfulness or His goodness; for doubting the promise He gave me or the timeliness of His actions. I do recognize those as outright sin, but doubt is: “self-idolization disguised as rational dilemma”. Man, am I convicted [but not condemned!]. What a great word this morning!
Oops…discovered that I didn’t use the whole tag quite right. My mistake!
Oops, that is the “strong” tag…
Heschel’s statement about wonder – in particular “wonder is an act in which the mind confronts the universe” is so profound, I’ve replaced my old professional “signature” quote with his!
The old quote – equally profound, was from the writings of George MacDonald:
“…the appearances of nature are the truths of nature…it is through their show, not their analysis, that we enter into their deepest truths. What they say to the childlike soul is the truest thing to be gathered of them…”
It was, however, time for a change!
I have a few questions:
Didn’t even Jesus have his moment of Doubt and faith?
If doubt is sin, Did Jesus sin?
Was Jesus the perfect incarnation of God?
Is Abraham Heschel really questioning our “typical understanding of doubt?”
Is he implying that We live in the Biblical world of the Hebrews?
When was the last time you saw someone walk on water?
If you were standing in water in the middle of the stormy sea and began to sink would you be afraid?
Is Jesus calling Peter a sissy?
I think Jesus is saying that if you stand by me, you don’t need to be afraid; He will reach out and save you, give you a hand.
I think Abraham Heschel is suggesting that we don’t live in the world of the Biblical Hebrews.
The Biblical Hebrews lived in a real community, in a virtual “state of nature,” with a direct connection to God.
Relatively speaking, most of us live in a “post modern” world; “alienated” from nature, man, and God.
Awe of nature or drill baby drill?
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
I just got home, and have spent time at work thinking about doubt and wonder. I questioned what I quickly wrote this morning on my way out the door.
Doubt definitely has negative connotations ( almost judgmental ) whereas wonder seems to encourage looking at what we have in a different way, suggestive of discovering more.
What leads me to investigate, was (and is) wonder, not doubt.
If I doubted the Word, or God why would I bother.
By the way, that is a good example of doubt, Michael.
I did not mean to put my previous comment as a reply to you.
It should have been general or attached to my morning comment, but it seems to fit anyway.
Hi Antoinette,
I just wrote a lengthy reponse to you but it failed to post due to a server issue.
In short, I agree with everything up to the last sentence.
In short, I don’t doubt the Word or God, either.
But they are abstractions to me 🙂
Such a beautiful declaration “What leads me to investigate, was (and is) wonder, not doubt.”
Any problems if I snatch this nugget? I love it! 🙂
It is so very true and represents a basic test that can be answered any time …. what is my motive right now … this time …. for conversing with YHVH via HaDabar!
Shalom
Thanks Drew, and yes you are welcome . . . I love that you have that wonder of His awesome, all encompassing Word. That is why I called my website, “Seek and you will find”!
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“It is written” is equivalent to “G-d hath said”. All of G-d’s words are in written form and bound in a book. The Bible has been called by some, “the word of G-d”. The words of G-d, the way of G-d, the wisdom of G-d is contained within a book. Torah means instruction. The Bible has been alliterated as “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” Back in the garden, the beautiful Tempter was able to slightly twist the words G-d spoke. All He did was just a very slight modification of arranging the order of the words and twisting them to suit his purposes. The slight alteration changed “G-d hath said” to “hath G-d said?” The first ever introduction of doubt. Did G-d really say? Is G-d holding out on you Eve? Does G-d really want the best for you? Is there more available to you than G-d is willing to give? The seed of doubt was planted. Contrasted with doubt is faith. (said to come by “hearing” and by hearing the words of G-d). When G-d spoke what did Abraham do? He obeyed G-d. He did what G-d requested him to do. He rightly responded to the words of G-d. What is our response to the written words of YHWH? Are G-d’s words trustworthy? From Genesis to Revelation and in the entire scope of history have we ever found His words ever to fail? Does G-d do what He says He will do? Can we believe what He says? Do we doubt the authority of the word of G-d? Does G-d say what He means and mean what He says? Are we listening when YHWH speaks? What is our response? Have we heard the voice of the Accuser? What is our response? It is written- “the just shall live by faith.”
Take a look at the photos on the site. Carefully observe the butterflies. Is it any wonder?
OOPS I just realized I was using FAITH to mean “belief in miracles.” I have NO DOUBT about the importance of the following values:
SKIP: First, faith is a verb in the Hebrew worldview. We would be better to translate it as “being faithful.” The idea is fidelity, trustworthiness and reliability – all expressed in action. Perhaps this is why God uses marriage as the symbolic analogy.
DICTIONARY: Fidelity is a notion that implies a truthful connection to a source or sources. Its original meaning dealt with loyalty and attentiveness to one’s duty to a lord or a king. Both derive from the Latin word fidēlis meaning “faithful or loyal”
SKIP: First, faith is a verb in the Hebrew worldview. We would be better to translate it as “being faithful.” The idea is fidelity, trustworthiness and reliability – all expressed in action. Perhaps this is why God uses marriage as the symbolic analogy.
Hi Michael,
You’re too cryptic for me. I like what you are saying but I’m not sure I get it all. Perhaps you would have time to spell it out a bit for us poor strugglers.
Hi Skip,
Sorry, I didn’t mean to be cryptic and I didn’t mean to copy the second occurence of SKIP 🙂
I had two or three thoughts in mind regarding doubt and faith (1) Peter walking on water (2) Adams rib (3) Why hath thou foresaken me?
Sometimes I doubt the miracles and I can relate to Jesus (why am I suffering, did I really deserve this God?, where are you?).
But I virtually never doubt the value of being faithful or loyal and I try to act accordingly in relation to God and others.
I also try to find the truth in the Bible but sometimes I doubt some things are good (lending at interest to gentiles but not to other Jews, for example).
Hope that helps 🙂
Thanks,
Mike
Certainly does. As my friend Steve Brown says, “I never doubt that God is sovereign, but I sometimes wonder about His benevolence.”
we that have the Spirit living within often “wonder” how anyone could be so blind as to not see the Creator in the creation. The watch on my wrist is evidence of a factory somewhere on the planet that manufactures these things. The coffee I drank this morning is evidence of a coffee plantation somewhere on the planet (I’ve never been there or seen it). Our Bible states- “the heavens declare the glory of G-d and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Romans chapter 1 also has a nice commentary on creation. I like what someone said about “belief”. It’s not that they can’t believe, it’s that they won’t.” One “wonder” I see in the scriptures is the interesting phrase in 2 Peter 3.5: “For this they willingly are ignorant of” Willingly ignorant?? oh yes.. I almost forgot.. “men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil”.. it kind of reminds you of the ostrich with his head stuck in the sand.. And of course there’s Psalm 14.1- “the fool hath said in his heart “no G-d”. (known in today’s vernacular..”talk to the hand”!) What cheek! To tell G-d “talk to the hand!” So sad to see men reject the Source of life and everything good.
Abraham Heschel states: “Just as in dealing with judgments, our starting point is doubt…. Doubt is an act in which the mind inspects its own ideals….”
Seems to me that A. H. is starting with some notion of the Law and that doubt is a good thing in this case.
We don’t doubt the Law, but before a judgement can be made we must doubt the charge of guilty; we must assume innocence.
This process requires a prosecutor and a defender and we must inspect the evidence to get to the truth, before making a judgement.
I think this same process can also be valuable in the collective interpretation of texts.
On the other hand, I think we generally know what the law is and when we doubt it we are probably involved in some sort of self deception, bad faith, or sin.
And as A. H. says, we must “prevent the power of doubt from setting up its own independent dynasty.”
Getting to this conversation a bit late, but…
I travel a fair amount on business, and a fair amount of that is done on commercial airlines. Every time one of those birds takes off, I stop what I’m doing, look out the window, and “wonder” at the fact that I’m on a path to hurtling through the atmosphere at 500mph around five miles up.
Me small, planet big, God bigger.
The fact that for that whole flight my life is completely and immediately dependent upon the performance of the pilots and the folks who built & maintain the airplane conjures up another set of thoughts about how much control I really do or don’t have on everything else.
Especially in those patches of rough air…
Enjoy the flight to Texas, Steve!