Reilly: Interesting views on 'doubt'

The July 17, 2024, Sun City West Independent provided an interesting opinion by Presbyterian Pastor Tom Tripp about “doubts.”

Pastor Tripp utilized Presbyterian minister Harry Emerson Fosdick as input for his letter. (It’s interesting to note that Fosdick believed that the Bible is “not the literal Word of God.”) Tripp also referenced a Catholic layman; a Catholic Priest; a psychiatrist and a Presbyterian minister to support his opinion. As a Baptist, I believe the authorized, 1611 King James Bible is the inspired, inherent Word of God and is sufficient for all matters in life.

A discussion about “doubt” is found in the Book of John, Chapter 20. The disciple Thomas (“doubting Tom”) said in verses 25-29, 30. “Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Eight days later, Jesus Christ appeared to the disciples and said to Thomas: “Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.” In verse 31, we read “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and believing ye might have life through his name.” This all occurred after the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

According to 1st Corinthians 15:3,4,6, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I had received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures: After that He was seen of above 500 brethren at once;”

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Don’t be a “doubting Tom.”

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