Christian Doubt » Video

Answer to Prayers?

Mark Lefers — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:52:50 +0000

Having a newborn in the house has taken much of my “free” time. However, with the late night or early morning feedings I have had an opportunity to watch more TV. The other day I watched the movie Evan Almighty, which is kind of the sequel to Bruce Almighty. The movie is about a guy named Evan (played by Steve Carrell) who has been visited by God (Morgan Freeman) and told to build an ark, just like in the story about Noah in the Bible. This movie has a lot of great quotes and scenes. One of my favorites is below. In this scene Evan’s wife, Joan (Lauren Graham), and kids think he’s gone crazy, so they’ve left him to stay with Joan’s parents. While on the road they stop at a diner to eat. They’re already on the road, and they’re stopping to eat at a diner. Here Joan meets God but doesn’t realize who she’s talking to. God encourages Joan and gives her some insight on life and prayer.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In my struggle with losing my Christian beliefs I wonder if in my prayers for faith, God chooses not to just give me faith, but gives me the opportunities to learn more so that I will have a reason to believe and to not just have a blind faith. Wouldn’t this actually be the BEST answer to my prayers? Unfortunately, my limited ability to see in the future makes this struggle hard and uncertain. But little clips like these gives me encouragement.

Evolving in Monkey Town

Mark Lefers — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:30:47 +0000

Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans is a wonderful a story of survival from certainty, through doubt, to faith. Rachel’s story is about how her beliefs have evolved over time. Rachel started in an unquestioning fundamentalist environment where her faith was not challenged, and where she thought she had all the answers. Her faith then started to crumble when seriously confronted with questions about hell, and was she a Christian only because of where and when she was born. These led to more questions and more doubt. As Rachel was exposed to the environment outside of Christian fundamentalism, she was confronted with the choice of changing her mind on certain beliefs or face losing her faith. She decided to compromise, by letting go of some of her long held beliefs and embraced uncertainty.

As someone who has gone through doubt and is now an unbeliever, Rachel captures the struggle of the doubter. In one moment Rachel is questioning a loving God who sends people to hell for eternity, and then a moment later she is clinging fast to a God that loves her. I could feel the tension and the pain of her struggles. It was also comforting to know that I am not alone in my doubt.

The book is a quick and easy read with very enjoyable stories of different people who have influenced her life’s path. The stories make it personal, while also giving a glimpse of the rich variety of different beliefs and experiences. Rachel is an excellent writer and I found myself highlighting many sections in her book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who feels trapped in Christian fundamentalism. Rachel gives an example of a healthy alternative to the absolutes that are often found in Christianity today. I would not recommend this book to someone who is looking for answers. This book is about asking questions, and living out your faith in spite of the uncertainties.

Rachel also has an excellent blog that I would recommend too.

Here the book trailer:

Click here to view the embedded video.

http://www.youtube.com/v/TKxeM3uv0

Give me a revelation

Mark Lefers — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:11:34 +0000

This song just spoke to me, and captured some of my feelings today.

Click here to view the embedded video.

My life has led me down the road that’s so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Tryin’ to find my way, tryin’ to find the faith that’s gone

This time, I know that you are holding all the answers
I’m tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

My life has led me down this path that’s ever winding
Through every twist and turn I’m always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without

I don’t know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won’t You show me where I need to go
Oh oh
Let me follow Your lead,
I know that it’s the only way that I can get back home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been trying to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

Oh, give me a revelation

I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

Moral law fluidity

Mark Lefers — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:14:44 +0000

Some doubt Christianity because of its strict moral law. However, recently I have noticed how fluid that moral law can be. For instance there seems to be an increase in Christians who are becoming more comfortable with homosexuality. I never thought that something that was once a black and white issue could in such a short time be something perfectly acceptable. Granted mainstream Christianity still condemns homosexuality, but it just makes me ponder about how quickly religious thoughts can change on a subject. So for me the strict moral law isn’t a cause of doubt. For me its more how quickly religion can evolve and change over time and how tied religious thought is to the culture of the day. Makes me wonder what was going on during Jesus’ time.

Here are some things I ran across that started this mental meandering:

Jennifer Knapp (1, 2, 3, 4)

Tony Campolo

All I Want is Christ

Mark Lefers — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:07:48 +0000

Singing this song in church the other day and found myself singing “All I want is Christ” during the chorus. Below are the lyrics to the whole song by Jordan Kauflin.

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

Here’s a video that Dave MacKenzie at Sovereign Grace put together from the Next conference, where you can hear a live version of the song:

All I Have Is Christ from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Science Is Real

Mark Lefers — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:06:24 +0000

I just love these songs. Not that science wasn’t already cool, They Might Be Giants just adds to it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ok, I admit, I’m a nerd.

What I’m not doubting

Mark Lefers — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:53:15 +0000

Maybe I’m biased. Maybe I prefer science over blind faith. Maybe I don’t get my information from right wing radio and cable host. Maybe I trust the scientific consensus too much. But this whole “scandal” on anthropogenic global warming (AGW) is frustrating. I find it interesting that the Christian right is so willing to deny AGW (and other theories with tons of data like evolution), but quickly believe something that has little hard evidence (supernatural being). Here are some videos that helped put this scandal to rest for me.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Cosmic Perspective

Mark Lefers — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:44:49 +0000

I like to think about the cosmic perspective. It is so easy to forget our place in this universe; that we are just specs on the earth, not to mention our solar system, galaxy, and universe. The size and magnitude of it all is mind blowing. It is just so hard to comprehend; it is outside my grasp.
While thinking about the universe, I sometimes toy with the idea that, what if. . .what if there is a God who created this all. That too, would be mind blowing. And if this were true, many of my other questions would fall away. For instance, did Jesus rise from the dead? Well, if there is a God who created the universe, it seems like it would be a small thing to raise someone from the dead. In fact, would anything be impossible? It also makes the mysteries (the Trinity, problem of evil, etc.) easier to deal with because if there is a God that great, is it no wonder that many things related to him would be completely outside my capability of understanding. Could a 3 lb organ possible understand the details of the universe, let alone the creator of the universe?

But as always this once again relies on a belief in God.

These are a few of my favorites clips that help give me a cosmic perspective.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I Once was Found but Now Am Lost

Mark Lefers — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:36:14 +0000

There are so many songs that move me and make me yearn ever so more to believe. Amazing Grace is one of my favorites. I don’t know if it is the story that goes with the song, or the realization that it truly will be God’s grace for me to believe again, or the memories it stirs. But it moves me to tears every time I hear it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

God on Trial

Mark Lefers — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:36:18 +0000

This is a very powerful show. I almost can’t put it into words, you’ll just have to watch. It touches on the problem of evil and doubt. I can’t imagine the faith crisis that people underwent in those concentration camps.

Click here to view the embedded video.