Tuesday, October 13, 2009

In Praise Of Doubt

Women and men in many significantly different denominations struggle to balance the “ancient Wisdom” passed down through generations and the “modern scientific knowledge” that is so much a part of our age.
* Intelligent Design or Evolution?
* Is homosexuality a sin or is it a sexual identity with its genesis in many aspects of life?
* Abortion – choice or killing?
* Living in harmony with neighbors of other faiths or still sending missionaries?

The list could go on – and, it seems, the challenge inherent in the struggle gets harder. Friends who were present at the most recent E.L.C.A. Assembly report they felt almost torn apart as they listened to the discussions. Whether or not the speakers was at a Red microphone or a Green microphone, my friends sensed that these were people of integrity, but for whom there was no resolution.

One friend in particular went home angry at the dilemma he felt. This is a devout person, well read, and active in the local parish. He is aware that our awareness of and about homosexuality in the 21st century is light years different from the time of Leviticus or the time of Paul. He is also aware of the important role of the Bible in our lives as Christians.

He resents having to choose between Relativism or Absolutism. He believes [and, I think he is correct] that such a choice results in personal and communal loss regardless of the decision!

Peter L. Berger [sociologist at Boston U.] and Anton C. Zijderveld [sociologist & philosopher at Erasmus University] have written a book which could be helpful to those bothered by such a stark choice. The title of their book is In Praise Of Doubt and the sub-title is “How to have convictions without becoming a fanatic”.

I strongly recommend the book. It is especially written with a concern for the religious and political challenges of this 21st century. They also have a concern that society needs a strong and vibrant religious and political life for survival.

Their descriptions of how “doubt” – not a “doubt” that keeps one from action because all is relative – reminded me of what Paul Tillich once wrote in a paper on Pastoral Care. Tillich believed that all pastoral care is directed towards acceptance of three important factors in life: mortality [we are all going to die], guilt [we can never pull off perfection] and doubt [our knowledge can only go so far and then faith has to step in].

The book is only 166 pages in length and it is published by HarperOne. It lists for $23.99 – but Amazon will get it to you cheaper.