Greg Boyd has a new book being published this month. It’s called Benefit of the Doubt: Breaking the Idol of Certainty (Baker Books, 2013). I’ll be reviewing the book in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned if you’re interested.
Greg’s ministry ReKnew is putting together its second event this year. This time it is to engage with the issues raised in his new book. Mark your calendars. On September 27-28th at Woodland Hills Church, ReKnew is hosting Faith, Doubt & the Idol of Certainty Conference.
Here’s what ReKnew previously posted on the book and conference:
Based on Greg Boyd’s new book, Benefit of the Doubt, Greg invites you to embrace a faith that doesn’t strive for certainty, but rather for commitment in the midst of uncertainty. Instead of assuming that your faith is as strong as it is certain, discover how your doubts can enhance faith and how seeking certainty is harming many in today’s church. Wrestle with your faith and experience a life-transforming relationship with Christ, even with unresolved questions about the Bible, theology, and ethics.
You may remember that ReKnew put on their first ever conference this past April in St. Paul. I was able to attend Open 2013 and connect with many like-minded folks. It was a great weekend!
If you’re looking to getaway for a stimulating conference, don’t miss this opportunity. You won’t be disappointed. Listen to Greg talk about the upcoming Faith, Doubt & the Idol of Certainty Conference.
Click here for more information and to register for the conference.
D.D. Flowers, 2013.
You may also be interested in the following posts:
The Centrality and Supremacy of Jesus Christ 
September 6th, 2013 at 12:41 am
I would love to go to the conference, but unfortunately, I cannot afford to go. I do have the book on its way, however. It should be here on Monday. I know it will be excellent as all of Greg Boyd’s books are excellent. I, too, am one who doubts at times and asks a lot of questions. However, I think that seeking the answers to the questions help me to go deeper with God.
September 6th, 2013 at 8:16 am
I am certain I won’t be going. 😉 Though I disagree with many of the theological points you have discussed here, I am thankful for folks that do wrestle with what to believe about Jesus and how it should affect our lives.
September 6th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Doubt is so common and natural and practical. Inquiring minds will, by nature, doubt. I wonder if there is a line crossed where there is so much doubt that it turns into sin.
We are greatly encouraged throughout the Bible to “believe” and “have faith”. There is nowhere in the Bible where doubt is considered a virtue. As a matter of fact, there are a couple of examples where doubt was punished. John the Baptist’s father (I believe it was him) was made mute, because he did not believe the angle foretelling of John’s birth. The spies sent over to scout out the promised land came back with a bad report from the journey, and the whole nation of Israel was severely punished because of their doubt.
So while practical human doubt probably doesn’t equate sin, somewhere down the line it does. I don’t know where that is. I would personally be in a heap of trouble if it wasn’t for God’s mercy covering my doubt I have experienced at times.
But belief and faith are considered great virtues, and even necessary for passage into God’s kingdom. While it is ordinarily natural for doubt, I think the pursuit toward faith and belief should be as best one can. The disciples declared to Jesus, “increase our faith”. Another instance they
declared, “help our unbelief”. So they, no doubt, doubted. But their declarations show they were on the right tack. Jesus was merciful to them.
The Psalmist makes many statements that reflect his certainty in God’s help and presence and the joy, peace, contentment and strength that God gives him. Certainly a lengthy testimony of certainty.
James 1:6 says… “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
Yes, I have been sea sick a few times myself.
We must make sure that as it is said that we must not make certainty an idol, that we should neither make doubt an idol.
September 6th, 2013 at 10:10 pm
I’m glad I stumbled upon this. I blog on the faith and doubt issue, and I’m always looking for new resources. I wasn’t aware of Boyd’s new book, and am now eager to get a copy. Will look forward to your review.
September 7th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
Glad to help, Laura. Thanks!