Sunday 7 September 2014

Doubt leading to truth

Peter Abelard lived in the 12th Century and was involved  in one of the most infamous love affairs of the Middle Ages. He ended up falling in love with one of his students, Heloise, and was ostracised for his indiscretion. Despite his affair with Heloise, he is still considered to be one of the best thinkers of his generation. He strongly believed in allowing our doubts to spur us onto a discovery of the truth. 
These quotes are attributed to him:

"It is by doubting that we come to investigate, and by investigating that we recognize the truth."
“The purpose and cause of the incarnation was that He might illuminate the world by His wisdom and excite it to the love of Himself.”
If we think about the disciple Thomas, we could argue that his doubts allowed him to pursue truth and in the end he accepted that Jesus had risen from the grave. His doubts opened him up to experience new truths. 
Let us not be afraid to doubt, especially if our doubts are a stepping stone to deeper faith.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

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