Part 1 of an interview with Shelby Abbott, Author of DoubtLess: Because Faith is Hard

Is God good? Can I trust him with my life? Is the Bible true? These are just some of the questions that can plague college students and twentysomethings as they stand at the crossroads of life, when new responsibilities loom large and the world around them treats God as a small or irrelevant part of life.   In his new book, DoubtLess: Because Faith is Hard, author and Cru campus minister Shelby Abbott comes alongside young adults to help them honestly face their doubt and turn to God for the gift of faith. Using both Scripture and personal illustrations, Abbott shows readers how to “feed their faith” in seasons of doubt through authentic relationships with other Christians, hearing from God in the Bible, and practicing thankfulness. Part 1 of an interview with Shelby Abbott, Author of DoubtLess: Because Faith is Hard  Q: How is doubt different from unbelief? When is doubt in danger of becoming unbelief?   Doubt is different from unbelief in a similar way that temptation is to sin. Doubts come and go, but unbelief is a conclusion someone reaches—a deliberate decision to live life as if there is no God. Doubt and faith can coexist in someone’s life at the same time, but that’s not the case with unbelief.   However, just as sin can creep in during moments of temptation, unbelief can be born amid doubt. An intentional celebration of doubt can quickly backslide into a glorification of it, so it’s crucial we approach our doubts with discernment. It’s easy for doubt to lead to unbelief if we obsess over it…which many people have a tendency to do when doubt comes knocking.   Q: From your experience in ministry, what are some of the most common questions young people have regarding faith?   These are some of the ones I hear most often: Is the Bible actually trustworthy? I don’t feel loved by God right now, so is he really there? Am I really a Christian if I’m doubting its validity? Is God really all-powerful? If so, why does it seem like he doesn’t care about me or others who suffer?  Q: From what outside sources are the seeds of doubt most often planted—friends, media, college professors, or someplace else?   I think it can come from anywhere, but what I’ve noticed most recently is the Western cultural mindset at large. We’ve seen all of these “celebrity Christians” denounce or deconstruct their faith, and it’s become cool to be a doubter. Believe it or not, that has influence.   A skeptical culture combined with (from my ministry field of college students) an intelligent and articulate professor who openly challenges the Christian belief in the context of the classroom can be a perfect storm. Many students I know have taken something like a Religion 101 class and had their professor seemingly shoot holes in the Christian faith, then they walk away from class with no viable response. Many doubts are born on the college campus.   Q: What is the best way to mentor or minister to those having doubts? Is it better to give them point-by-point arguments or point them towards other tools?   I’d say it depends on the kind of doubt they are currently wrestling with. I’ve divided the book up into two separate sections: Foundational Doubts (major doubts someone can have when wrestling with the larger issues of life and faith) and Every Day Doubts (common doubts someone can experience each day, yet essentially don’t call into question the foundations of your faith). Depending on what someone is going through, you want to be sure you’re on the same page before diving in.   I think being present in their life and really listening to their doubts is key before you start giving arguments or answers. An older friend of mine says, “You’ve got two ears and one mouth,” which is a funny way of saying, “Shut up and pay attention.” Being present and listening can really go a long way. Then I’d encourage a healthy dose of research and reading, because you’d be surprised how little of that is done while people are in the throes of doubt. I like to say that there are no new questions, and the questions you have now have been asked for thousands of years. There are tons of great, satisfying answers to your questions out there if you’re willing to put in the work and look for them. I’ve created a resource list in the back of DoubtLess for some places to get started, and that only begins to scratch the surface of quality tools to available.   Q: How do you feed your faith rather than your doubts?   It’s been said that if you feed your doubts, your faith will starve, but if you feed your faith, your doubts will starve. When we choose to obsess over our doubts and give them the undue attention they crave, their demand for attention will not go away—it will grow, overshadowing our faith.   However, if we choose to feed our faith when doubts come along, we’ll find that our faith will increase in ways we’d never have been able to see otherwise. Asking questions, studying, researching, and earnestly seeking real answers in and from the Christian faith will develop strong roots in our belief-system and snuff out the doubts. Instead of backing away from our faith and leaning into our doubts (as is what’s common in our culture), let’s lean into our faith and trust that the Lord will help nourish and sustain our relationship with him, causing our doubts to diminish in the light of the gospel. DoubtLess: Because Faith is Hard by Shelby Abbott August 17, 2020 / Retail Price: $15.99 Print ISBN 978-1-645070-75-7 Religion / Christian Ministry / Young Adult About the author Shelby Abbott is an author, campus minister, and conference speaker on staff with the ministry of Cru. His passion for university students has led him to speak at college campuses all over the United States.   Abbott is the author of Jacked, I Am a Tool (To Help with Your Dating Life), and Pressure Points: A Guide to Navigating Student Stress. His latest release is DoubtLess: Because Faith is Hard. He and his wife, Rachael, have two daughters and live in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.   Readers can find Abbott online at www.shelbyabbott.com, on Facebook (shelby.abbott.98), Twitter (@shelbyabbott) and Instagram (@shelbyabbott).

New Growth Press publishes gospel-centered Christian books, small group, and children’s Bible resources for discipleship, biblical counseling, and missional ministry. For more information about other releases from New Growth Press, visit www.newgrowthpress.com. Copyright © 2020 New Growth Press, All rights reserved.