Permission to Doubt: One Woman’s Journey into a Thinking Faith

Finally, a book for those who feel guilty about doubting aspects of their Christian faith. Sullivan, a women’s ministry trainer and Bible teacher, takes the topic of doubt and deconstructs it, segmenting it into “Spiritual Doubt,” “Intellectual Doubt,” and “Emotional Doubt.” Using her personal struggle with a panic disorder that went undiagnosed for more than a decade, Sullivan recalls points in her life where doubt crept in and started to dismantle her belief system, situation by situation. But instead of giving into her doubts, she embraced them, using them to reinforce her Christian faith. Within each section of her book, she takes examples from Scripture and from modern-day and contemporary Christian apologists and pastors to explain how these doubts can provide comfort and faith renewal when addressed thoughtfully and without shame. “Questioning a belief system we have been handed isn’t a bad thing,” she writes. “Not only can genuine truth stand up to our doubt, questions are an integral part of growth.” This book offers readers who may doubt their faith the balm of understanding, letting them know they’re not alone. (Oct.)