Forming Faith Blog

The Authenticity of Doubt (Authenticity & Vulnerability)

Posted on June 4 2025 by Gregory Rawn

Understandably, we in the Church put a big focus on belief, the acceptance of certain teachings. But doubts are natural and inevitable. How we approach doubt can make a big difference in the lives of youth, adults, and children.

A group of people holding papers with question marks over their faces. In the Church, doubt is inevitable.

If you are new to my Forming Faith blog, welcome! During the program year, I reflect on the upcoming Narrative Lectionary Scripture reading (more on the Narrative Lectionary here). But summer is the time to let my (short) hair down and write about faith formation topics that I find interesting and important. And, during a busy period of my summer, I give myself permission to update a summer series I wrote in the past. In a few weeks (from when I’m working on this post), I will be traveling to Kentucky to be an exhibitor at the 2025 InterGenerate Conference, June 10th-12th, so I’m updating a series on Authenticity & Vulnerability I wrote in 2021.

Authenticity and Belonging

Before I get into the meat of this topic, some definitions are in order. Three concepts critical to this series are authenticity, vulnerability, and belonging.

  • Authenticity: To be authentic is to express your real self without any walls, masks, or emotional distance. We all know what it means to be fake—to pretend to be someone we are not—so, authenticity is being real.
  • Vulnerability: To be vulnerable is to put yourself in a position where you can be hurt (physically or emotionally). We are vulnerable when we lower our defenses.
  • Belonging: In the sense of the word as I’m using it, we belong to a community when we are fully integrated into it. We are welcome and connected by multiple relationships.
Faith in the Church

The Christian Church—like most other religious movements—puts a lot of focus on faith (belief, trust). That’s kind of our shtick. It’s pretty important in the Bible, too. There are several significant, and correct, definitions of “faith” as we use it,* but I’m going to focus on what we often call belief: the acceptance of teachings that do not have an objective, evidence-based foundation. It’s the stuff in the creeds: God’s existence, Jesus’ resurrection, the kingdom of God, etc.

In my view, there are three main responses to a religious teaching (doctrine): belief, doubt, and rejection. So, on the resurrection of Jesus (for example):

  1. Belief: I accept that the resurrection happened as explained in this teaching.
  2. Rejection: I don’t accept that the resurrection happened as explained in this teaching. OR I don’t think the resurrection happened at all.
  3. Doubt: I’m unsure if the resurrection happened as explained in this teaching. I can neither accept it with certainty nor reject it with certainty at this time.

And a particular faith tradition (religion) is a collection of different teachings (which is what doctrine means) that require acceptance (belief in). But it’s important to remember that it is a collection of teachings; it is not an all-or-nothing situation.

Doubt Exists, Now What?

While some people have absolute certainty about what they believe (and reject), most of us have at least some questions, unease, if not full-on doubt, about at least one thing. This is true of youth, adults, and even children (see my rant/reflection on “Faith like a Child“). That is inevitable and natural. You might teach me something about the world that might be contrary to—or at least dissonant with—something I already believe. Some people will say “yes, certainly” to everything you teach them, but most of us will not (at least in our heart of hearts). So, to expect everyone in church (even leaders) to have perfect faith—without any doubts—is unrealistic. The main question becomes: how do we deal with this in our Christian education programs, youth groups, even whole congregations?

The Permission of “I Don’t Know”

One way to deal with this existence of doubt is to create a culture that demonizes it and expects 100% belief in whatever teachings one deems to be essential. Many people would still want to belong to that church, so they will say what they need to say, even convincing themselves that it’s true. Others will reject everything and leave. To me, that is a false choice and an unhealthy situation.

Another, healthier way to deal with doubt/uncertainty is to name it and welcome it. Publicly. State outright that everyone has doubts at some point (or always) and everyone is welcome in our community, no matter what. Leaders can encourage this culture by using the phrases “I don’t know” and “I’m not sure.” When leaders express the limits of their understanding and doubts, that gives the laity permission to admit those limitations and doubts, too.

In a small group Bible study I was once a part of, some of the other members considered me the Bible “expert” due to my seminary education and faith formation work here at Spirit & Truth Publishing. When I would say that I didn’t understand or wasn’t sure about something, I was surprised at the response of my groupmates. They were appreciative because they had had as a goal complete certainty and knowledge of the Bible, and saw me as someone who had reached that goal. My own experience with the Bible had taught me that this was an unreasonable and unattainable goal, so their response surprised me.

The Authenticity of Doubt

Knowing that our doubts are welcome in our Christian education, youth group, worship, etc., can lead to some surprising things. If we don’t have to pretend that we have things all together in our beliefs, that is one step closer to authenticity. Admitting this is a form of vulnerability, breaking down those walls that keep us apart in our relationships and community. But, being vulnerable means that we can be hurt, and as with any other time we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, it is critical that we are in a safe space. That is what you, as a faith formation leader (teacher, youth director, small group leader, pastor, etc.), are called to do: develop safe spaces.

The Good News

It is when we can become vulnerable that we can grow in authentic relationships with each other and with God. It is when we can be accepted and loved for who we are, not who we think we should be.

One of the teachings I hope you can hold onto is that God loves you, forgives you, and brings you into an unconditional relationship with God’s self. This isn’t because you are good enough. This isn’t because you accept the right teachings. This isn’t based on anything about you. It is about God and what God has done for you. Yes, faith (belief) is the goal, but that comes after the relationship, not beforehand.

God loves you, doubts, beliefs, and all.

In the love of Christ,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

* In the New Testament, the same Greek word (pistis/pisteuo) is variously translated as faith, belief, and trust. These are synonyms in English, too, but each has its own shade of meaning. “Faith” is a rich and complicated word in Christian theology, a topic for a later time. On a bit simpler side, “trust” is a relationship word, appropriate for our part in our relationship with God. “Belief” is often used in relation to teachings (beliefs, creeds) and is the variation I’m using here.

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