I think doubt stops us from doing things. It’s not fear that stops us. It’s always doubt. Fear is triggered with danger. It can keep you safe. Doubt is paralysis. Only in our minds. Letting go of doubt frees us to love intentionally. I see this with my hospice patients. They regret doubt casting such a broad shadow on their lives.
Janice., I so deeply appreciate your comments and the distinction you make between these powerful forces. If I'm hearing your clearly, I think you're suggesting that fear is a rational response to external, and potentially dangerous circumstances. Doubt on the other hand is always, always, always self-imposed.
This resonates with me. But I also want to hold onto doubt as being a rational thing. That is not to say I want to invite it to "cast a long shadow," as you put it. But I want to recognize it as a normal part of being human, and letting people who doubt (like, all people) slip out of their shame jackets.
Thank you so much for commenting. It is so encouraging.
Great piece, Chris. I hadn't heard the term H of G before, but in grad school, we used to distinguish charitable interpretations from those who deployed the hermeneutics of suspicion (of which there are many in the field of religious studies).
My physical health seems unchanged. Next round of chemo begins on Thursday if my blood counts remain good. I love reading this ❤️
Thank you, Janice!
I think doubt stops us from doing things. It’s not fear that stops us. It’s always doubt. Fear is triggered with danger. It can keep you safe. Doubt is paralysis. Only in our minds. Letting go of doubt frees us to love intentionally. I see this with my hospice patients. They regret doubt casting such a broad shadow on their lives.
Janice., I so deeply appreciate your comments and the distinction you make between these powerful forces. If I'm hearing your clearly, I think you're suggesting that fear is a rational response to external, and potentially dangerous circumstances. Doubt on the other hand is always, always, always self-imposed.
This resonates with me. But I also want to hold onto doubt as being a rational thing. That is not to say I want to invite it to "cast a long shadow," as you put it. But I want to recognize it as a normal part of being human, and letting people who doubt (like, all people) slip out of their shame jackets.
Thank you so much for commenting. It is so encouraging.
Great piece, Chris. I hadn't heard the term H of G before, but in grad school, we used to distinguish charitable interpretations from those who deployed the hermeneutics of suspicion (of which there are many in the field of religious studies).
I know you're right, but this saddens me. But why would it be different in religious studies than anywhere else?
And when I consider how often an H of S would be a learned response to serious threats, it makes it all the more saddening.
Thanks for the comment, friend. Missing you.
Lifting up Andrea in prayer right now.
Chris, thank you for covering your bases with the leap year. Nice touch :)
Your words never fail to give me a holy pause Chris. Thank you always!