The Rise of Skepticism
Skepticism is as human a condition as curiosity or longing. The New Testament's most famous example of it is the Apostle Thomas' doubt when confronted with the testimony of his fellow disciples that Jesus had risen from the grave and visited them. When the other disciples told him “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas replied, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into them, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
Zachariah Struck Dumb
John the Baptist's father, Zachariah, when visited by an angel telling him his prayer for a child had been answered, and that Elizabeth, his wife, would give birth to John, “who shall turn many of Israel to their God,” was incredulous. “How can I believe such a thing?” Zachariah exclaimed. “I am an old man and my wife well up in years.”
The angel answered, “I am Gabriel who stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to give you these glad tidings. For not believing, you shall be struck dumb and not able to speak until the day these things come to pass” (see Luke 1:18–20). The Gospel says Zachariah was unable to speak until John was born and it was time for him to name the infant.
Abraham Laughed
In the same way, even Abraham, the “Father of the Faithful,” had a skeptical side. “God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, do no longer call her Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah. And I will bless her and give you a son also by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be descended from her.’
“Abraham fell upon his face, laughing, and thinking in his heart, ‘Shall a child be born to one who is a hundred years old, and shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear?’ And Abraham said to God, ‘O that Ishmael [Abraham's son by his concubine] might live for you!’ But God replied, ‘Sarah your wife shall indeed bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac, and I will establish with him and with his seed after him an everlasting covenant’” (Genesis 17:15–19).
fallacy
Some think God is an unyielding taskmaster, but in these instances he recognizes human skepticism as part of fallen nature, and throughout his dealings with his people, he encourages their questions and transparent reservations, and is willing to negotiate. But also in the cases reviewed in this section, there is a prior commitment to faith and a prior relationship with God.
Accepting Miracles
All three of these doubters wanted to believe but seemed afraid to accept that such wonders could happen. When God approached with gifts of miracles, he wanted belief and gratitude. The attitude of a father who brought a speechless child to Jesus for healing seems to be one God wants all to have. “Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’ And the father of the child, not hesitating, cried with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief’” (Mark 9:23–24). And Jesus healed the child.
