Faith After Doubt

Starred review from November 23, 2020
Former pastor McLaren (A Church on the Other Side) asks Christians to contemplate what faith might look like “on the other side of doubt” in this smart rumination. Written for those wrestling with aspects of the Bible or their church culture that they don’t agree with, McLaren’s work introduces doubt as a companion to faith, a “tough but effective teacher and a difficult but faithful friend.” He uses personal stories to show how doubt can lead to breakthroughs in one’s faith, such as describing his experiences in pastoral care while protesting opposite other Christians, who felt no doubt about their racial antagonism, at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va.: “We need radical change flowing from a new set of values and deeper spiritual narratives… only doubt will open a doorway out of hostile orthodoxies—whether religious, cultural, economic, or political.” Prompts for “Reflection and Action” are also included at the end of each chapter: “How would you describe the differences among certainty, uncertainty, and faith?” or “Respond to the statement: Doubt is necessary, but not sufficient.” McLaren’s persuasive argument for doubt as a means to save one’s spirituality and rescue religion at-large might turn off evangelicals, but it will appeal to questioning Christians.

January 1, 2021

Many Americans have left the Christian church, or experience doubt, and the numbers continue to rise. In his latest book, McLaren (The Great Spiritual Migration) addresses those who are struggling with faith loss, positing that doubt is not the enemy but a vehicle for growth. Thoughtful interviews with people questioning Catholicism or Protestantism relay the personal challenges of reconciling belief with supporting institutions that uphold hierarchy and patriarchy. Writing through the lens of a former pastor who has spent over 40 years examining his own doubt and how to live with it, McLaren offers a schema he created called "the four stages of faith development: simplicity, complexity, perplexity, and harmony." Christian dogma is left behind as McLaren provides broad theological and philosophical context, drawing from the writings of Richard Rohr and Ken Wilber, among others. The author acknowledges that living with faith and doubt is not a linear journey but, rather, one of many iterations. He continues by providing ample opportunity for readers to go in-depth with numerous footnotes, end of chapter discussion questions, and appendixes with extensive resources for an individual or group. VERDICT A helpful, non-judgmental resource for readers questioning their Christian faith, and looking for guidance on living with doubt.--Angela Forret, State Lib. of Iowa, Des Moines

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