DOUBTING D30
More than a year ago, our president challenged people to produce evidence of the existence of God through a selfie.
"(I)f there is somebody of the so many billions, maybe if he can go there in heaven, talk to God, and magpa-selfie sila at bumalik siya rito at sabihin ng pari there is [a] God.”
But he was quick to say that he believes “in one Supreme God. I never said I do not believe in God. I am not agnostic. I am not an atheist. I just happen to be a human being believing there is a universal mind somewhere which controls the universe….So I do not believe in God? Yes, of course there is God.”
There has never been a president like Rodrigo Duterte where the topic of God often comes up. Oh, presidents in the past would invoke Him but always in a reverential way. But not this one which riles up the only Christian nation in this side of the planet. Well, except for his die-hard fans. I don’t know how they feel as I neither follow them nor bother to read their comments but I have seen those who have shown their disgust and anger condemning him with a one-way ticket to hell. But is this how we should respond to someone expressing doubt?
Imagine if Jesus had behaved the same way when the desperate father of a demon-possessed boy came to Him asking for help while admitting his unbelief (Mark 9:24). “Eh wala ka namang tiwala tapos lalapit ka sa akin?”
Imagine if Jesus had behaved the same way when John the Baptist doubted by asking, “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?” (Mt. 11:3) “Ikaw nga ang nagproclaim na Lamb of God ako. Ikaw nga ang nagbaptize sa akin. Ano ka ba, pinsan?! Nakulong ka lang, nawalan ka na ng faith.”
Imagine if Jesus had behaved the same way when Thomas doubted His resurrection (Jn. 20:25). “Buti pa yun mga ibang disciples, may faith. Ikaw, pa-effect ka pa!”
It is to our blessing and comfort that Jesus did not behave like us. Instead, He showed us how we should respond to doubt---with compassion to the desperate father. “When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. ‘You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’” (Mk. 9:25, NIV)
He showed us how evidence of an active and fruitful ministry can exorcise doubt. “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Mt. 11:5, NIV)
He showed us that no person is too insignificant to merit our attention. “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (Jn. 20:25, NIV)
And what were the results? The father despaired no more; John’s disciples were satisfied; and Thomas ended up with a proclamation, “My Lord and my God!”
We can only see the same results if we are to emulate Jesus when confronted by doubters like His Excellency otherwise we become a stumbling block, pushing them further away, and find ourselves accountable to their lost souls on Judgment Day.
P.S. We also need to extend the same compassion and exhibit the same behavior toward those who announce they are "no longer Christian." Let us not give up on them.
More than a year ago, our president challenged people to produce evidence of the existence of God through a selfie.
"(I)f there is somebody of the so many billions, maybe if he can go there in heaven, talk to God, and magpa-selfie sila at bumalik siya rito at sabihin ng pari there is [a] God.”
But he was quick to say that he believes “in one Supreme God. I never said I do not believe in God. I am not agnostic. I am not an atheist. I just happen to be a human being believing there is a universal mind somewhere which controls the universe….So I do not believe in God? Yes, of course there is God.”
There has never been a president like Rodrigo Duterte where the topic of God often comes up. Oh, presidents in the past would invoke Him but always in a reverential way. But not this one which riles up the only Christian nation in this side of the planet. Well, except for his die-hard fans. I don’t know how they feel as I neither follow them nor bother to read their comments but I have seen those who have shown their disgust and anger condemning him with a one-way ticket to hell. But is this how we should respond to someone expressing doubt?
Imagine if Jesus had behaved the same way when the desperate father of a demon-possessed boy came to Him asking for help while admitting his unbelief (Mark 9:24). “Eh wala ka namang tiwala tapos lalapit ka sa akin?”
Imagine if Jesus had behaved the same way when John the Baptist doubted by asking, “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?” (Mt. 11:3) “Ikaw nga ang nagproclaim na Lamb of God ako. Ikaw nga ang nagbaptize sa akin. Ano ka ba, pinsan?! Nakulong ka lang, nawalan ka na ng faith.”
Imagine if Jesus had behaved the same way when Thomas doubted His resurrection (Jn. 20:25). “Buti pa yun mga ibang disciples, may faith. Ikaw, pa-effect ka pa!”
It is to our blessing and comfort that Jesus did not behave like us. Instead, He showed us how we should respond to doubt---with compassion to the desperate father. “When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. ‘You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’” (Mk. 9:25, NIV)
He showed us how evidence of an active and fruitful ministry can exorcise doubt. “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Mt. 11:5, NIV)
He showed us that no person is too insignificant to merit our attention. “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (Jn. 20:25, NIV)
And what were the results? The father despaired no more; John’s disciples were satisfied; and Thomas ended up with a proclamation, “My Lord and my God!”
We can only see the same results if we are to emulate Jesus when confronted by doubters like His Excellency otherwise we become a stumbling block, pushing them further away, and find ourselves accountable to their lost souls on Judgment Day.
P.S. We also need to extend the same compassion and exhibit the same behavior toward those who announce they are "no longer Christian." Let us not give up on them.