Faith Questions & Doubts

Start with the Gospel of Luke or Mark, then Acts, then a few Psalms. Genesis is also a good entry point. You do not need to read from cover to cover in order.

It is a library: 66 books in most Protestant Bibles, more in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, written across many centuries in several languages and literary styles.

Translators balance word-for-word accuracy against readability, and work from ancient manuscripts in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Different goals produce different translations. Comparing two is often helpful.

Early Christians largely used a Greek collection of Jewish Scriptures that included books such as Tobit, Sirach and Maccabees. During the Reformation many Protestants restricted the Old Testament to the Hebrew canon, while Catholics and Orthodox retained the wider collection.

A collection of ancient Jewish writings connected with the Old Testament period — including Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch and the Maccabees — used differently by different traditions.

It means 'second canon'. Catholics and Orthodox use the term for books recognised as Scripture whose canonical status was discussed later than the rest.

Jesus and the earliest Christians clearly knew the Jewish Scriptures well, and Greek-speaking Jewish communities of the time used collections that included several of these writings. Whether Jesus treated them as Scripture is not directly stated in the New Testament.

Four accounts written for different communities give complementary perspectives — like four witnesses describing the same person with different emphases and audiences in mind.

There are real differences in detail, order and emphasis between accounts. Christians handle this differently, and honest readers acknowledge the tensions rather than hiding them.

Read them in historical and literary context, notice whether the text is describing or endorsing an action, and be honest that many passages are troubling. Christians have wrestled with them for two thousand years.

No. The book of Job directly rejects that reasoning, and Jesus rejects it too (John 9:1–3). Suffering has many causes — illness, poverty, injustice, accident, other people's choices.

No. Mental illness is a health condition. It is not evidence of weak faith, sin or demonic activity. Treatment, medication, therapy and community support are appropriate and good.

No. Intrusive thoughts are extremely common and are not chosen. If they are distressing or persistent, speak to a doctor or counsellor — that is a health matter, not a moral one.

Yes. Taking prescribed medication as directed by a qualified clinician is a responsible use of medical care. Anyone telling you that medication shows weak faith is giving harmful advice.

Yes, and they usually work best together. Pray and attend the appointment. Pray and take the medication. Pray and follow the safety plan.

Anger at God is all over the Bible — in Job, in the Psalms, in Lamentations, in Jeremiah. Say it honestly. Scripture treats that as prayer, not rebellion.

Yes. There is no required standard of behaviour before you are allowed to pray. Many biblical prayers come from people in the middle of failure.

It means turning around — a change of mind and direction, not just feeling bad. It usually involves honesty, changed behaviour and, where possible, repair.

No. Forgiveness releases a debt. Trust is rebuilt slowly, if at all, and only when behaviour has genuinely changed.

No. Absolutely not. You can forgive someone and still leave, keep distance, report abuse and pursue legal protection. Safety comes first. In immediate danger call 911; VictimLinkBC is 1-800-563-0808.

At its root it means rescue and healing — being brought out of destruction into life with God. Christians describe how that happens with somewhat different emphases.

Undeserved kindness — help and welcome given freely rather than earned by performance.

Trust that keeps walking without complete certainty. It includes belief, but it is closer to reliance than to intellectual proof.

Actions, attitudes and patterns that damage relationship with God, other people and yourself. Christian traditions describe it as both individual acts and a wider brokenness we are caught up in.

God's reign — the way things are when God's justice, mercy and healing hold sway. Jesus taught that it had come near and could be entered now, while awaiting full completion.

The historic Christian teaching that God is one, known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a summary of how Christians read Scripture, and all major traditions hold it, though language and emphasis differ.

A washing that marks entry into Christian life.

The shared bread and cup remembering Jesus' last supper, also called the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper.

Christians hold hope in resurrection and life with God.

Symbolic visions written to Christian communities under pressure, encouraging endurance and promising that injustice will not last. It should not be used to set dates, identify living people as prophetic figures, or generate panic.

Because texts require interpretation, cultures differ, and traditions developed separately over centuries. Disagreement is normal; contempt and cruelty are not.

Yes. Read, ask questions, visit if and when you want to. Nobody should pressure you into membership, giving or commitment.

Look for transparency about money, respect for questions, safeguarding policies, leaders who can be challenged, and support for medical care. Visit more than once, and leave freely if something feels wrong.

Pressure to give money you cannot afford, demands to cut off family or support workers, claims that medication shows weak faith, secrecy, threats of divine punishment for leaving, and leaders who cannot be questioned.

Total control over information and relationships, punishment for doubt, an exclusive claim to truth, extreme demands on time and money, and hostility toward outside help such as doctors, counsellors or police.