“To be dogmatic about most matters in the Christian faith is not a good foundation for developing a strong faith. In fact, the opposite is the case. Dogmatism leads to indoctrination in teaching and not the entertaining of honest questions, and, in the long run, it weakens faith.  [Christian discipleship] should be committed to examining our faith, working on our uncertainties, and being willing to hold certain ideas in tension. In doing so we will be producing a stronger faith [in those we disciple].”

Many Christians feel that to be uncertain in matters of faith is equivalent to doubting God and lacking faith. Consequently, many Christian organizations have lengthy doctrinal statements about what is non-negotiable in the Christian faith. Some Christian schools, on the other hand, have shocked certain churches or organizations because of the schools’ statements of faith are brief and do not contain references to abortion or evolution, for example. My college, Taylor University, along with any other Christian colleges, would explain that it is not that we do not have very conservative positions on such subjects but that we don’t classify those topics among those things about which we are absolutely certain.

This does not mean that faculty and staff are filled with doubts and weak faith about other things, but that they are open to examining certain positions with humility, knowing that they can always learn more about biblical content and the application of that content to the world.

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