Doubting Thomas

Sometimes people are surprised when I say I would rather do a funeral than a wedding . Now don’t get me wrong – in general life I would rather attend a wedding than a funeral but as a pastor I would rather conduct a funeral. Why? Because weddings are often show off events where the church is just a pretty building and couples spend hours going over the decorations and minutes considering the vows. As a general rule at a funeral the games are dropped. People just need each other and care for each other. The shock of death helps to reevaluate the meaning of life. From a pastoral perspective it seems more productive time spent.

In a similar manner, I would rather have conversations with people about what they don’t believe. These conversations always seem more productive and faith has a chance to grow when we name what we struggle with. When people simply give me testimonies of their faith I am sometime left wondering if they are trying to prove themselves to me as if my approval is necessary.

So give me Thomas who says:

John 20:25 "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Give me Abraham in Genesis 18 who will argue with God or Job who will defend himself

Mark 9:24 "I believe; help my unbelief!"

Question Authority! Question God! The Truth will always be able to stand its own ground.