By Mike Edwards
I am not suggesting anything goes when I declare we can’t be certain. No one questions laws against murder. Criminals don’t deny their actions are wrong; they deny they committed such a crime. It is almost universally accepted that it is morally wrong to kill or behead someone because of their beliefs unless you are a terrorist.
Uncertainty doesn’t have to lead to chaos or lawlessness.
Total certainty is an illusion because even if God is Truth, we still have to discern what is Truth. The Bible can’t be the definitive guide what God would do because scholars who respect Scriptures disagree what God according to the Bible thinks about divorce, gender roles, homosexuality, hell, the afterlife, etc. Different opinions, expressed without physical or verbal aggression, can stand side by side as we continually evaluate the most loving approach.
Where has certainty in God’s name gotten us?
It is logical to suggest we can’t be certain what an invisible, inaudibly God thinks, but supposed certainty has led to justifying slavery and revered theologians such as St. Augustine and John Calvin not firmly opposing the execution of those not agreeing with their theology. Certainty has led to condemning gays, though scholars who accept Scriptures as authoritative, don’t agree the Bible disapproves of same/different gender loving, monogamous, consensual relationships. Women, though gifted, are denied entrance into the priesthood or pastorate in God’s name.
An infallible (certain) Bible is problematic!
It is argued that if we can’t know what the Bible says, we can’t know God. Newsflash – literature always requires interpretation. You are interpreting my meaning as you read this blog. Am I saying God disapproves all certainty or that uncertainty isn’t all bad? A Book possibly being fallible, then infallible, encourages questioning than demonizing views to the contrary. God-followers seem unaware, as I was, how they come off morally superior based on their assumptions about the Bible.
Jesus didn’t judge uncertainty.
Jesus perform many miracles and His disciples/followers still didn’t believe. Jesus didn’t tell disciples to get lost because of doubts. Jesus didn’t caste away Peter when warning him he would deny Jesus three times. I believe Peter now is call the “Rock.” Jesus sought the company of people that didn’t share His certainty. My hunch is that God, like parents, rather be doubted than ignored. If it is a sin to doubt God exists, then Christians sin if they doubt God in troubled times.
Uncertainty can lead to acting more loving.
Being unable to declare the certainty or morality of our opinions forces us to listen and express ideas openly. Starting a conversation with “I may be wrong” more likely leads to new understandings and creative solutions. Try it in relationships! Conversations change when humbleness is part of the tone. Certainty when it comes to political matters such as taxes or health plans has led to justifying verbal or physical violence in the name of God or morality.
MORE POSTS IN SERIES: I DOUBT GOD REALLY ……
Why I Doubt God Is An Excluder Of Religions
Why I Doubt Heaven Is Closed To Anyone After Death
Why I Doubt God Is A Homophobe
Why I Doubt God Is A Mysterious, Moral Hypocrite
Why I Doubt God Is A Blood-Thirsty Child (Jesus) Killer
Why I Doubt God Expects Every Word Of The Bible To Be Viewed As Inspired
Why I Doubt God Is An End-Of-The-World Doomsayer
Why I Doubt God Is An Angry Egomaniac
Why I Doubt God Is A “Hidden Agenda” Proselytizer
Why I Doubt the god of Extremists Or Terrorists
Why I Doubt God Is A Prayer Genie
Why I Doubt God Controls Evil And Suffering
Done with Religion 
Thanks for the kind words Norm. You nailed it. I wish I had said it: “embracing the uncertainty is a necessary first step to discovering the truth.”
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Mike, Thanks for the post. Most people seem to chase certainty and will cling to a narrative that offers it–regardless of how detrimental that narrative is. They think that if you give up certainty, then you are admitting that there is no such thing as truth–but like you said, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, I think that embracing the uncertainty is a necessary first step to discovering the truth. Great article!
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