Episode 874
Exploring Sacred Doubt: The Gift of Thomas's Skepticism
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The narrative presented in this episode is a profound engagement with the post-resurrection accounts as depicted in the Gospel of John, particularly spotlighting the character of Thomas. Often characterized as the archetype of doubt, Thomas's demand for physical evidence of Jesus's resurrection invites profound reflection on the nature of belief itself. The speaker articulates that rather than viewing Thomas's skepticism as a deficiency, it can be embraced as a vital component of faith that encourages individuals to confront their uncertainties openly. This perspective reframes doubt not as an adversary to faith but rather as a conduit through which deeper understanding and connection to the divine can be achieved.
Moreover, the episode delves into the theme of peace that permeates the text, as Jesus addresses his fearful disciples. His repeated assurances of peace serve as a transformative invitation for them to transcend their fears and engage with the world beyond their locked doors. This concept of peace is intricately tied to the call for active participation in justice and healing, as the speaker connects the historical context of the disciples' fear to contemporary issues of violence and societal upheaval. The message resonates with listeners, urging them to cultivate an inner peace that empowers them to work towards social transformation even in the face of daunting challenges.
Finally, the episode addresses the radical implications of forgiveness articulated by Jesus. The speaker invites listeners to consider the broader social responsibilities that accompany the act of forgiveness, particularly in dismantling systemic injustices. By redefining forgiveness as a communal and restorative practice rather than an individualistic one, the discussion challenges the audience to examine their roles in perpetuating or alleviating harm within their communities. The episode culminates with practical suggestions for the audience to engage with their doubts and questions in a constructive manner, reinforcing the importance of a faith that welcomes inquiry and values the complexity of belief.
Takeaways:
- In this episode, we delve into the concept of sacred doubt and how it embodies faith, reflecting our struggles with belief.
- The narrative of Thomas, often deemed the 'doubting Thomas', serves as a reminder that questioning can lead to profound understanding of faith.
- We explore the notion that authentic faith encompasses wrestling with uncertainties and seeking tangible experiences of the divine.
- The repeated greeting of peace by Jesus signifies a profound invitation to courage, urging us to pursue justice amidst fear and adversity.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Sacred Doubt and Embodied Faith.
Speaker A: a study of the gospel of John: Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello good people.
Speaker A:Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller here with Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is where every day we come to you with a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:That's a three year cycle of reading through the entire Bible.
Speaker A:We're in in year C and it is the first Sunday after Easter.
Speaker A:We make the reading of the Bible every day understandable.
Speaker A:We use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder, applicable, give you an action step.
Speaker A:We do all of that in under 10 minutes and we have a prayer.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that is the home of the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: today from the Gospel of John: Speaker A:And Jesus entered, stood among them and said, peace be to you.
Speaker A:Then he showed him his hands and his side.
Speaker A:The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck.
Speaker A:And Jesus repeated the greeting, peace to you.
Speaker A:Just as the Father sent me, I send you.
Speaker A:Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them.
Speaker A:Receive the Holy Spirit, he said.
Speaker A:If you forgive someone's sins, they are gone for good.
Speaker A:If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?
Speaker A:But Thomas, sometimes called the twin, one of the 12, was not with them when Jesus came.
Speaker A:The other disciples told him, we saw the Master.
Speaker A:But he said, unless I see the nail holes in his hands and put my fingers in the nail holes and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe.
Speaker A:Eight days later, the disciples were again in the room.
Speaker A:And this time Thomas was with them.
Speaker A:And Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them and said, peace be with you.
Speaker A:Then he focused attention on Thomas.
Speaker A:Take your finger and examine my hands.
Speaker A:Take your hand and stick it in my side.
Speaker A:Don't be unbelieving.
Speaker A:Believe.
Speaker A:Thomas said, my Master, my God.
Speaker A:And Jesus said, so you believe because you've seen with your own eyes.
Speaker A:Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.
Speaker A:Jesus provided far more God revealing signs than are written down in this book.
Speaker A:These are written down so that you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing have real and eternal life the way he personally revealed it to be.
Speaker A:What a profound reading of Scripture.
Speaker A:We often call this a story about the doubting Thomas, which speaks to our own personal questions, our doubts and our deep human need for proof, for tangible experience of the divine of God.
Speaker A:Let's look at some points to ponder.
Speaker A:There is the gift.
Speaker A:The gift, I tell you, of Thomas's doubt.
Speaker A:Thomas is often labeled kind of negative, negatively, you know, as the doubting Thomas.
Speaker A:But his insistence on physical evidence reflects a deeply embodied faith.
Speaker A:His questioning isn't a failure, but a gift that gives us permission to all who struggle with belief.
Speaker A:Progressive faith honors doubt as a pathway to deeper understanding, not as an obstacle to overcome.
Speaker A:Thomas's story reminds us that authentic faith often includes wrestling, questioning and demanding evidence.
Speaker A:Another point is peace.
Speaker A:In fearful times, the disciples are hiding behind locked doors, terrified of the authorities, and into the sphere, Jesus speaks peace not once, but twice.
Speaker A:This peace isn't about avoiding conflict or maintaining the status quo, but finding courage to continue justice work even when afraid.
Speaker A:In our own time of political violence and upheaval, climate crises, social upheaval, peace.
Speaker A:This peace of Jesus empowers us to to keep working for transformation.
Speaker A:One more point that is the radical nature of forgiveness.
Speaker A:Jesus words about forgiveness aren't about individual sin, but about dismantling systems of harm.
Speaker A:The power to forgive or retain sins suggests our responsibility in creating systems of restorative justice rather than retribution and punishment.
Speaker A:The challenges this challenges us to consider how we participate in either perpetuating or healing collective trauma.
Speaker A:Here is an action step for the tour for you.
Speaker A:For today's lesson, keep a doubt journal.
Speaker A:That is, write down a record in some way your honest questions about faith and justice and meaning.
Speaker A:And these questions are such that we would want to share with a trusted friend or a community member.
Speaker A:Remember Thomas's example.
Speaker A:Authentic questioning leads to a deeper connection with God, with the divine.
Speaker A:Consider also what systems of harm need forgiveness and healing in your community and take a concrete step towards restorative justice.
Speaker A:We're going to pray here in just a moment, but I did want to always remind you about our resource that we have for you.
Speaker A:It's free.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It's a few pages long of instructions of how to read your Bible every day and make it as simple and straightforward as ABC.
Speaker A:1, 2, 3.
Speaker A:You pick it up at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com completely free.
Speaker A:And it's for you, my friend.
Speaker A:So pick it up and use it.
Speaker A:Here's our prayer for the day.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are divine mystery.
Speaker A:We come to you with our questions and our doubts, our fears and uncertainties.
Speaker A:Thank you for meeting Thomas in his need and his need for tangible proof.
Speaker A:For meeting us in our own questioning when we hide behind locked doors of fear.
Speaker A:Speak your peace into our hearts.
Speaker A:When systems oppression seem overwhelming.
Speaker A:Remind us of our power to participate in healing and forgiveness.
Speaker A:Help us create communities where doubt is welcome, questions are honored and authentic wrestling with faith is celebrated.
Speaker A:Thank you for showing up in our uncertainty just as you showed up for Thomas.
Speaker A:In hope and honesty we pray.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:It's great to be with you my friends.
Speaker A:Here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:We're here every day.
Speaker A:We use drop our episodes before 6am I hope that you'll come join me.
Speaker A:Bring a friend.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:It happens when you join me here every day until that time.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
