Book Group: The God Who Weeps Introduction

The Longing Soul

In this introduction to the book, the authors make it clear that science can't fully explain all the mysteries of the world, but faith doesn't exactly give us a nice clean picture either.  When you examine the evidence for and against belief in God, it is not the evidence itself that settles the question, but rather how we respond to that evidence, what conclusions we draw from what we see.  The authors assert that  faith, for most of us is a deliberate choice.

In Doctrine and Covenants 46:13-14 it explains that some are given the spiritual gift of knowing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was crucified for our sins, and that others are given the gift of believing on their words.    We tend to think of those people that "know" as the strong ones and those that believe on their words as having a lesser gift.  I don't think that that is the case.  Both are spiritual gifts and both are given for the edification of all.

As members of the church we are often encouraged to bear our testimonies of what we know.  And sometimes, though probably not intentionally, the message is given that to doubt is to risk falling away completely.  But I don't think that's true.  Doubting can lead to a closer examination of what you really believe, and ultimately can lead to stronger belief.  Faith is not denying doubt.  Faith is choosing to believe and choosing a course of action for our lives, without the certainty of knowing that we are right.

I am, by nature, a doubter and a questioner.  But that doesn't mean that I haven't chosen faith.  I haven't yet chosen faith in all the things that some of my friends and family members would like me to, but I have chosen.  Bit by bit, I am building my house of faith, and because I'm building slowly and carefully, it will be a house that is strong.

Questions for discussion (or personal reflection):

1.  In general, do you rely more on science, reason, and logic or feelings and emotions?
2.  Do you think your answer to question 1 has an impact on the ease or difficulty you have in making that deliberate choice to have faith?
3.  How do you feel about doubting?  Can it be a useful tool, or should we choose not to have doubts?
4.  Have you chosen faith?  In God?  In a specific religion?  In a specific principle?
5.  If so, what brought you to that choice?
6.  What other thoughts did you have about this Introduction?  What ideas spoke to you?  What made you uncomfortable?

Feel free to comment and discuss these ideas even if you haven't read the book yet.