(Rafael, “Eight Apostles”, c. 1514)

When unexpected tragedy strikes, it can be overwhelming and difficult to know how to cope. In times like these, it’s natural to question where to turn for solace. Often, such experiences can lead to a surge of uncertainties, doubts, and suspicions about one’s faith in God. Suddenly, all the teachings and stories about God’s love for us may feel insincere and unconvincing.

This doesn’t necessarily result in a swift transition to atheism, but rather a gradual shift towards a silent agnosticism—doubting the knowability of spiritual truth and feeling uncertain about God’s existence. This type of doubt is a challenging journey, filled with complex emotions and inner turmoil.

Slipping into Agnosticism
This is what happened to 19th-century biologist Thomas Huxley, who is credited with coining the term, ‘agnostic’. An agnostic individual does not outright deny the existence of God; rather, they hold that knowledge and certainties pertaining to God and the spiritual realm are inherently uncertain. But how do we square this with what Luke wrote —

“…That you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

Luke 1:4

Regrettably, a form of this agnosticism has permeated various Christian circles, leading to the spread of theological liberalism and what can be termed as a type of agnostic Christianity. In the lives of many professing believers, agnosticism has begun to replace historical and confessional Christianity. In this all-mysterious context, individuals might express sentiments such as, “Yes, I still adhere to the teachings of Jesus and find solace in his deeds; that is what guides me in life, but ultimately, who can truly be certain?” The prevailing motto of this form of agnosticism is, “I don’t know, and who can really say for sure?”

Embracing Confidence in our Faith
Fortunately, in his first letter to the church, the Apostle John provided guidance to Christians facing various uncertainties, teaching them how to confidently navigate their spiritual journey regardless of life’s challenges.

For example, at the end of his letter, John wrote,

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”

1 John 5:13

This verse makes no sense unless it’s possible to know and not just to wonder. Furthermore, what this means is that a person may, in fact, be a genuine Christian, but this does not guarantee that he or she is living with the type of confidence and assurance that according to John is possible.

For example, two individuals might find themselves on the same flight facing turbulence. Yet, one of them may calmly enjoy their beverage while the other grips the armrests anxiously. Despite both being aboard the plane, their internal journey through the flight differs greatly. We could therefore say that John penned his letter to encourage Christians to release their grip on the armrests and instead savor the joy of their secure salvation. His aim was for believers to embrace a confident faith, as opposed to an agnostic one. All right, but how does John expect us to get there? If you find yourself in the space between skepticism and faith, where can you turn for the type of confidence and assurance of spiritual truth that John describes?

Trusting the Credible Evidence
When John expressed, “I write these things… that you may know,” it should prompt us to delve into what exactly he was referring to. Revisiting the introduction of his letter, we read about a meticulous and reliable firsthand account of John’s experience with Jesus. This holds immense significance.

Often, faith and science are portrayed as conflicting forces. Science revolves around tangible and observable elements. Yet, there is a prevalent notion that faith in Jesus Christ always pertains to the intangible and unverifiable. However, what does John convey?

“We saw him, we looked upon him, we touched him.”

c.f. 1 John 1:1

What is that? That’s a scientific discovery. John underscored the scientific evidence of encountering Jesus both before and after his crucifixion. He aimed to rationally demonstrate to his audience that the Apostle’s testimony was verifiable. In other words, John was explaining that the Christian faith is not founded on wishful thinking, but on the historically credible eyewitness accounts of the Apostles.

Understanding Christian Faith
Ever noticed how people sometimes think of Christian faith like a Disney movie? You know, “believe with all your heart, and your dreams will come true”? Well, that’s not quite how biblical faith works. It’s more like taking God at his word, like getting a credible testimony from the ultimate source – the Bible. As the Apostle Paul wisely put it, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of God” (Romans 10:17). So, next time someone mentions faith, remember, it’s not about wishful thinking, it’s about taking God’s word for it – no magic wands required!

Think of it like this – why do people believe that George Washington was America’s first President? It’s not because they were there and saw him; it’s because they are trusting the reports of others who did. Or if people are in the market for a used car, they don’t typically inspect the car and check under the hood before they buy it; what do they do? They trust the CarFax report.

What people do in so many other areas of life, they just need to do the same thing regarding the Bible and Jesus. If people trust the testimony of others all the time (and we know that people are prone to lie or exaggerate), why not trust the testimony of God, who never lies? The Bible was written so that people could encounter what Francis Schaeffer called “true truth.” Even though there is much mystery to life and many questions still left unanswered, it is possible to know God, to know you belong to him forever, and to trust him no matter what is happening all around us.