57 pages • 1 hour read
Savannah GuthrieA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Sometimes, Guthrie claims, individuals prefer to hold onto issues rather than resolving them, paralleling this with their approach to God. People often choose to cling to doubts and questions, she says, instead of seeking answers. Guthrie references Jeremiah 29:13 to emphasize that seeking God with all one’s heart is essential and points out that Jesus often answered questions during His ministry, regardless of the questioners’ intentions. She argues that asking questions is not sacrilege; rather, apathy and disinterest are more concerning. It’s crucial, she maintains, to approach God with genuine inquiry rather than erecting obstacles to create distance.
Guthrie shares her personal struggles with doubt, noting that doubt is a natural aspect of faith—a feature, not a bug. She compares it to exercising a muscle that gets stronger with use. She explains that God welcomes questions and engages with intellect, as illustrated in the Gospel stories where Jesus invites doubters to come closer and examine His wounds.
She recounts how her law school education taught her to think critically and address counterarguments, drawing a parallel to how God addresses doubts and questions. Guthrie highlights that faith involves a leap, a willingness to trust beyond what can be immediately seen or understood.
Guthrie acknowledges the difficulty in answering big existential questions about suffering and evil in the world.