If I Really Believe, Why Do I Have These Doubts?
Hope for Those Who Feel They Will Never Measure Up to Other Christians’ Faith

by Lynn Anderson

From the back:

“What do you do when: You want a strong, confident faith, but for one reason or another you just can’t find it? You wrestle with doubt in the form of shattering angst or niggling, unspoken questions, but it doesn’t change? Your faith in God does not seem to connect with your real life? You admire the faith of those around you, but find your best efforts do not measure up?”

In this volume, Anderson seeks to uncover the cause of doubt in Christians and offers practical suggestions to overcoming that doubt and building faith. He exposes some of the “blind alleys” in which people look for faith—in which faith cannot be found. He pushes aside some of the “roadblocks” to faith: those things which are falsely identified as faith, but which are not. He seeks to define what faith really is. He discusses the various stages on the journey of faith, hoping to help his reader understand why their faith may be different than another Christian’s faith. Finally, he offers five practical steps to helping the Christian grow in his faith.

This book is an interesting and practical read that is filled with personal examples (modified for the sake of privacy). The number and variety of illustrations used by Anderson makes it nearly impossible that the reader will not find at least one with which he identifies. And, of course, finding a kindred spirit in one’s walk of faith can only help. He doesn’t claim to offer a 100% solution to doubt—after all, part of faith is not knowing everything. Or as Anderson puts it: “Mystery is precisely the point, isn’t it? A God so small that we limited humans can explain Him is not big enough to be worshipped” (175).

There were two things in this book that I did not like. First, Anderson advocates a “church of your choice” theology. Although we wouldn’t suggest that the sign outside the building where one assembles is what makes him right with God, it is clear that God would have us worship as he has shown us. The second problem is that Anderson drops Martin Luther’s name in a list including Jeremiah, Stephen and Jesus. It’s not that Luther didn’t do good things in trying to restore the church. But he hardly fits in with a prophet, a spirit-filled evangelist and martyr, and the Son of God. Both of these occur only two or three times in the span of 179 pages. Neither is a theme that pervades every page.

Overall, this is a worthwhile read. Whether you have doubts of your own, or you just want to better understand those who do, you’ll find this a profitable read.

The Editors do not advocate everything taught by the authors of the books we review. Like us, these authors are fallible humans and those who choose to read these books should measure them by the bible, the one true standard.