Christian Leaders Weigh in on Mother Teresa's 'Crisis of Faith'

Christian Post ^ | 30 Aug 07 | Michelle Wu

[xzins]

Mohler: faith not feelings

Colson: there are dark nights of the soul

Neuner: feelings not the bottom line in a relationship with Jesus

[livius]

Very good observations.

[Paperdoll]

Satan thrives on disbelief.

God does not. By that I don’t mean that God disappears with disbelief. Rather I mean that He is ALWAYS there waiting, a loving God. A patient God. It is WE who thrive with our belief in Him, our awesome triune God.

[xzins]

Colson shared that he experienced his own darkness of soul when a few years back two of his three children were diagnosed with cancer. “We can conclude rationally that God exists, that His Word is true, and that He has revealed Himself” Colson said. “But without that leap of faith, we will never know God personally or accept His will in Christ.”

I'm most impressed with Colson's boldness. It isn't easy to say that sometimes things get really rough....that there are times when faith isn't absent, but it sure gets difficult.

The Book of Job is a testament to a faith becoming a wobbly faith and then a necessity for God to reprove even Job.

I appreciate the reminder that faith in Christ far outweighs our feelings. At the same time, Jesus did not kick the "I believe; help my unbelief." man to the curb.

And then there's the fact of our physical and mental weakness. Some are even more weak mentally. So, combine a dark night of the soul with a person inclined toward depression, and you could easily come up with one who could have "dark years of the soul."

I'm human. I'm weak. There but for the grace of God go I.

[the invisib1e hand]

We can conclude rationally that God exists, that His Word is true, and that He has revealed Himself” Colson said. “But without that leap of faith, we will never know God personally or accept His will in Christ.”

Yeah. well, I propose, Mr. Colson, that without that Great Cloud of Witnesses -- the Church, without the Blessed Mother (which you enjoy by virtue of your baptism though you perhaps deny it today), nobody can survive a dark night of the soul, or spiritual desolation.

I don't know how "Christians" get by on just telling themselves over and over again, "the scripture is true. the scripture is true." One must have the Eucharist to have Life.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I was most surprised at Mohler. I think his was a personal confession more than anything. At least Colson was honest about it.

I have not struggled wsith doubts at all. Does that make me less of a thoughtful Christian? I don't think so.

Scripture people. Scripture. We are saved by faith, walk by faith, get answers to prayer by faith, etc... Doubt may plague some, but it is never a virtue.

[Paperdoll]

Yes, years of darkness of the soul can easily be attributed to depressionn. That is a physical imbalance of chemicals in the body. The darkness should not be attributed to God, or to the absence of God, for He is never absent. He is always the Light.

Zoloft can help if it is a depression caused the death of a loved one. There are other medications available for chronic depression.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I would equate these doubting leaders with drunk drivers. I am going to be sure and not follow them too closely.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

My questions to the doubters. What is the ratio of faith to doubt that a person can have and still be a Christian?

[xzins]

Any amount of true faith, if we can measure faith.

Jesus said, “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed...”

“Lord, I believe. Help, Thou, mine unbelief.” was the cry of a man that Jesus HELPED. He did not turn away from the man. Yet, in his hometown He marveled at their unbelief.

[A.A. Cunningham]

BTTT

[Obie Wan]

Faith is what kept Mother Teresa ministering to the poor and dying not feelings.We all get sucker punched by our feelings but people like Mother Teresa who continue doing what God called them to do in spite of feelings are doing it on faith. The “feelings” of love isn’t what keeps a man or woman by the side of a spouse when they become sick physically or mentally,it’s the love itself that keeps them there !!!

[maryz]

Do you really not know the difference between the psychological and the spiritual? Perhaps you think there is no difference.

[shield]

doubts on the existence of God

Actually, that's not true...I know I've never doubted My Heavenly Father's existence....

[xzins]

I wouldn’t argue with you.

At the same time, we do place a lot of weight on our feelings. I’m not sure it’s conscious, though. We act on something, and we defend it by saying, “I thought x, y, or z, so I did ABC.”

We use the word “thought,” but what we really have done is allow emotions to push us to a conclusion. Sometimes our gut feel is just fine; other times, it’s really off base.

[Obie Wan]

But this is in light of your posting about Mother Teresa.Seems to me that in spite of all those questions and feelings she continued to minister to hurting people for years. I don’t think it was feelings that gave the first century Christians the courage to walk into the lions den instead of denouncing their beliefs,I think it was their faith that did it !!!

[Paperdoll]

>Do you reaklly not know the difference between the psychologicl and the apiritual? Perhaps you think there is no difference.<

In view of the fact that I recognized the difference in my post, how dare you ask me such a question! Who do you think you are?

[maryz]

Yes, years of darkness of the soul can easily be attributed to depressionn

QED