Final Formal Paper – The Big Picture

Chloe Andry

Faith, Doubt, and Reason

Faith, doubt, and reason: Three broad concepts that ultimately guide the lives of everyone

in the world. Whether intentional or not, every human being goes through the process of

developing faith, doubting on various levels, and using reason to support their beliefs and

concerns. Not everyone has the same definition for each topic, however, and this is due to the

multitude of moments that have shaped the way they think about said concepts and how they

choose to apply their understandings to their life.

After conducting interviews with a group of people each at a different stage in life, clear

differences and similarities can be observed. Interviewees #1, #3, and #6 explained what faith

means to them in similar words. Overall, they defined faith as something you believe in. Another

person expanded on this concept explaining "faith as a belief system. It can be in individuals or

in God. I believe when you have faith in something there's a high level of trust in something.

You really don't question any aspect of the relationship or the belief, whether it is in a person,

another entity, or in God itself" (Interview #4). Interviewee #7 agreed that faith requires a certain

level of trust. They also added on that they "think faith can be more generalized. Faith can relate

to faith in yourself and your abilities. Faith is also associated with the confidence and belief you

have in others around you as well." The remaining definitions of faith took a slightly different

viewpoint, defining it as "confidence that there will be a positive outcome to a situation"

(Interview #2) as well as "hope backed up with the knowledge you have of scripture" (Interview

#5).
 Next, the interviewees were asked to define doubt. One interviewee stated that doubt is

"not having confidence, feeling unsure, not knowing the right answer" (Interviewee #3). Two

others defined it as a means of "questioning" (Interviewee #2, Interviewee #4). In interview #7,

the person thoroughly explains that "doubt relates to a moment of hesitation regarding a belief.

Oftentimes something causes that hesitation or moment of doubt and it is usually out of your

control. A feeling of uncertainty when it comes to your values is something that can occur due to

experiences and unmet expectations. However, with a strong enough belief system and core

values you usually either resolve those doubts or they make you realize you can take a step away

from specific values." The last two interviewees recognized that doubt "is rooted in fear and

stemmed from insecurities" (Interviewee #5) and that "doubt is the absence of faith" (Interviewee

#6).

When the interviewees were asked to define reason, the responses consisted of the

following: "proof or evidence" (Interviewee #1), the act of "trying to come up with an

explanation for the outcome of a situation" (Interviewee #2), "something that validates a claim or

opinion" (Interviewee #3) and "the use of your experiences and your instincts to evaluate a

situation and logically come up with a way to find a level of understanding" (Interviewee #4).

Furthermore, they defined reason as a "logistical standpoint based on facts or evidence"

(Interviewee #6). Interviewee #5 touched on the point that "reason is based on your life

experiences and helps you solve a situation." Lastly, Interviewee #7 believes that "our reason for

doing anything in this life is backed up by our values."

The fourth question in the interview asked people how the three concepts relate to one

another. Two interviewees explained that you either have faith or doubt (Interviewee #2,

Interviewee #3). Two others stated that all of the concepts are utilized in our daily lives and that
you can't have one without the other (Interviewee #1, Interviewee #4). Interviewees #5 and #7

made a similar point to each other in that they believe faith is the overarching idea (Interviewee

#7) or overall bubble (Interviewee #5) and doubt and reason, "whether justified or unjustified"

(Interviewee #7) "test your faith" (Interviewee #5).

The final question, "Why do you think it's important to understand these concepts?"

ignited many interesting viewpoints. Interviewee #7 explained that "these concepts can relate to

a majority of events and experiences we have as individuals. Each unique individual may have

their own set of values and beliefs, their own doubts, and reason for those doubts and values. I

feel that this helps with building relationships that foster positive environments within those

connections." Interviewee #5 said that faith, doubt, and reason "are things that are established in

our internal belief system and how we develop that belief system. So, you know, it is important

in the fact that it really forms who we are in many respects. Especially in how we interact and

communicate." Interviewees #3 and #5 also made valid points that they are learning experiences;

they teach people a lot about themselves and make one stronger. It was interesting as well to see

how the two responses concluded that doubt can be a positive action that stewards one's faith.

Interviewee #6 added to his thought process on the positive potential for doubt, explaining that

there is "reason behind both faith and doubt."

While there is no "correct" answer, per se, to defining what faith, doubt and reason mean,

there are definitions and ideologies that thoroughly and beneficially define these three terms and

equip humankind to reach a better understanding. Throughout the course entitled Faith, Doubt,

and Reason the ideas have been explored in depth. Tillich, for example, does a fantastic job of

defining faith. He describes faith in the very beginning of his book as "the state of being

ultimately concerned" (Tillich 1). He uses Deuteronomy 6:5 as an example of what this sole
devotion means. It states in the Bible that "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

and with all your soul, and with all your might." While one's faith does not necessarily have to be

in the Lord, this scripture paints a clear picture that one's ultimate concern is what occupies their

heart, soul, and mind and demands total surrender (Tillich 3). He continues to explain that faith

is a centered act, meaning that faith “is an act of total personality" (Tillich, 4). Faith unites every

aspect of human life, not just specific areas (Tillich 4). There is freedom in being able to choose

what one devotes their whole being to, therefore faith and freedom go hand in hand (Tillich 6). It

is important to understand as well that "faith is not a creation of the will" (Tillich 8). It does not

take an internal fight to stay ultimately concerned with one's faith, because it is an act of

"acceptance and surrender" and that is what truly brings "cognitive affirmation" (Tillich, 8).

Tillich also clarifies that "faith is not an emotional outburst" (Tillich 8). Faith most certainly

entails feeling strong emotions however, "emotion does not produce faith" (Tillich 8).

While "man's experiences, feelings, thoughts are conditioned and finite" (Tillich 10),

faith is infinite. It "carries the quality of divinity" (Tillich 11) and transcends the limited and

objective realities of worldly endeavors. When the relationship of one's faith is not between finite

and infinite and is instead a relationship between finite and finite, issues arise. This can be

defined as an idol or an idolatrous faith. Tillich says that "in true faith, the ultimate concern is a

concern about the truly ultimate; while in idolatrous faith preliminary, finite realities are elevated

to the rank of ultimacy. The inescapable consequence of idolatrous faith is 'existential

disappointment,' a disappointment which penetrates into the very existence of man” (Tillich 13).

Commonly, people put their faith in aspects of this world. They find happiness from being

ultimately concerned with aspects of life such as money, fame, success, relationships, and much

more, however, all of these aspects are fleeting and can never truly satisfy and bring the joy that
true ultimate concern in the infinite can bring. Most people can say that they have experienced

this temptation to idolize figures and promises on earth and can attest to being left disappointed

and hurt when those idols fall through and diminish. One's ultimate concern is constant, beyond

this world, and brings joy that transcends understanding.

While faith is a powerful and strong devotion, it is not to say that there are no struggles

associated with developing one's faith. This world is a broken place with innumerable paths of

suffering. These experiences leave many feeling doubtful about a range of entities. When one is

questioning earthly, finite matters, they are acting with methodological doubt (Tillich 21). These

questions that arise can be supported or disproven with logic, cognition, and knowledge. For

example, scientific inquiry requires a method of testing theories and finding evidence to support

claims. On the extreme side of doubt is skepticism, which "is an attitude of actually rejecting any

certainty… Such an attitude necessarily leads either to despair or cynicism, or to both

alternately" (Tillich 22). On the other side of finite doubt is the kind that strengthens faith.

Existential doubt "does not question whether a special proposition is true or false…" such does

methodological doubt, "…it does not reject every concrete truth…" such does skeptical doubt,

"…but it is aware of the element of insecurity in every existential truth" (Tillich 23). One's faith

cannot be proven therefore, there can be no evidence for or against it. Existential doubt is the act

of questioning whether one's ultimate concern is able to give one's life meaning and purpose.

Since these types of questions cannot be answered, there is a strong sense of courage required to

continue putting one's trust in their faith. "Ultimate concern is ultimate risk and ultimate

courage" (Tillich 20) as Tillich would say. He could not be more true.

Within the Bible, there is a very impactful myth about a man named Job who went

through a very difficult season in life. All people can relate to very trying times where suffering
is extremely heart-wrenching and painful. One wonders when these seasons will end and why

they occur in the first place. While the questions may vary, it does not take away from the fact

that one's faith is truly tested when suffering occurs. Job's definitely was. He questioned why a

just, all-powerful, and all-good God would allow for such turmoil to be experienced by a

completely clean and innocent man. He temporarily loses a significant amount of hope and trust

in God when God does not provide him with any answers. This is a great example of existential

doubt because they were questions that could not be answered. While Job never fully understood

his suffering, he did grow closer to God because he realized that the wisdom he lacks actually

draws him nearer to God's all-knowing, perfect power and love. The trying times one faces bring

upon existential doubt; a questioning which strengthens one's trust in the infinite and provides

hope that one day, in the realm of the infinite, all will be explained and made new.

The last of the three life-driving concepts is reason. There are two types of reason that

can be used: existential reason and technical reason. As mentioned before, technical reason

encapsulates evidence, logic, and knowledge. This type of reason answers worldly, finite

questions. While most helpful in making discoveries, acquiring new finite knowledge, and

developing beliefs, it does cannot be used to support faith-related inquiries. Existential reason is

the creativity, language, freedom, and self-transcendence that bring a sense of meaning and

fulfillment to one's soul (Tillich 87). It transcends understanding and provides an ever-growing

connection to the person and their ultimate concern, or faith. This idea of using one's human

capabilities is explored in Nagel's The Absurd. Humankind has the ability to ask questions that

cannot be answered and seek meaning and fulfillment through many various avenues. He argues

that "absurdity is one of the most human things about us" (Nagel 726). Existential reasoning is

rooted in love and passion for things beyond one's being. This idea of love as the center for
meaning is also seen in Ecclesiastes and Songs of Songs. While both perspectives take on two

attitudes, pessimism and optimism, they both conclude that life is a gift worth making the most

of. While it may seem absurd, the existential reason and the beautiful experiences we walk

through with faith make it all worth it. One can conclude that love is the driving force in the

quest for meaning.

There is a clear line that separates what kind of tools can be used in which endeavors.

Technical reason is used to solve finite, methodological doubt. On the other side of the line is

where existential reason is used to strengthen one's faith and balance existential doubt. When

reason is applied on the opposite side of the line, that is where issues arise. One can see this in

Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy when he attempts to prove his existence. On his

journey to developing his "I think, therefore I am" discovery, he takes it one step too far and

finds himself trying to prove God's existence. One can observe that there is a never-ending cycle

to his ideology which leaves readers observing the incompatibility between the infinite and

technical reason. Reason and its two types have a time and place for strengthening faith and

belief however, one must learn the distinction and appropriate use for each concerning the finite

and infinite.

There are some clear differences between the interviewee's viewpoints of faith, doubt,

and reason and the definitions learned throughout the course. Oftentimes people think that faith

and belief can be used interchangeably when they are two different components. Beliefs are

finite and faith is infinite. Beliefs can be supported by facts and evidence and faith cannot. Many

interviewees brought up the trust and hope associated with faith, which is truly a very important

component. There is great courage and trust in being ultimately concerned with something that

cannot be proven. Interviewee #7 also touched on the aspect of faith as not necessarily being a
religion, but something that drives one's values and therefore impacts everything one chooses to

do with their life. The term "ultimate concern" was not used by any, however.

In terms of doubt, most of the interviewees defined it very precisely as questioning, lack

of confidence, or hesitation, which is accurate. None of the interviews separated doubt into two

categories, as mentioned previously, and there was an answer that stated doubt as the absence of

faith. The interviewees did define reason fairly unanimously however, it was very focused on

what the course defines as technical reason. No one mentioned the existential reason used in

harmony with one's faith.

While no one in the interview process necessarily differentiated the finite from the

infinite, some interviewees touched on the valuable relationship between faith, doubt and reason.

A handful of people recognized that there is an interconnectedness that makes up one's life and

impacts everything they do. There were cases in which the interviewee explained that you either

have doubt or faith; the ebbs and flows of both did not come to their mind.

Simply stated: Everyone's viewpoint is valid. Each person interviewed has acquired and

developed these answers throughout their life because they have all walked through various

seasons and have evolved because of them. There are so many factors such as family

perspectives, social media, religious groups, and more that have most likely shaped these various

perspectives as well. Each human being has had a history of experiences that have formed their

definitions of faith, doubt, and reason, and they are continuously shaped day in and day out.

Overall, this life has so many unknowns. People want to know where they came from, they want

to understand the season of life they are in, whether abundant or difficult, and they want to have

a sense of hope for where they are going. Faith, doubt, and reason are the tools mankind uses to
ponder these thoughts, make life worth living, and make it as meaningful as possible to combat

their fears and unknowns.

It can be argued, however, that learning these slightly more complex definitions and

relationships between faith, doubt and reason can enhance the lives of people even more so. If

one could truly understand the very crucial line between finite and infinite and then use the

correct tools that reside on either side of the line, there would be much less confusion and

disappointment. Faith would most definitely be a topic of less turmoil amongst many in this

world. Using the concepts in this course, people might be less extreme in terms of religion and

loving others, there would be less of a debate when trying to "prove" religious components, and

humans could explore how love and passion truly connect them to their ultimate concern.

The most important potential that stems from these understandings is joy. Not one

interview brought up the joy that grows from true faith. That is most probably due in part to their

definitions being geared more toward beliefs, or worldly, fleeting viewpoints. With true faith, as

learned in this course, comes joy; not a temporary and wavering happiness, but true joy. It is a

joy that cannot be shaken or dulled by anything. It is a depth that surpasses situational

understanding. That is a very life-changing realization that comes when one can truly understand

the complex concepts within the course Faith, Doubt, and Reason.