Wow. Just read Seth Godin's blog where he included this inflammatory line not as I have, as a question, but as a statement of fact, but I include it today probably much for the same reason that he did...simply to get traffic going. The Intersection (or any intersection for that matter) is a dry and dusty place - like the crossroads of ghost town somewhere in the old West - without traffic. So let's hear from you on this one.
In Seth Godin's blog post 'Authenticity' he says, "Mother Teresa was an atheist, filled with self doubt. But she was an authentic saint, because she always acted like one". Apparently for Godin (one of my personal favorite new media, new marketing,Web 2.0 guys), ACTING (or doing what you promised) is more a measure of authenticity than BEING (as in, 'being who you are'). Somehow, for reasons that escape my understanding, Godin (remarkably observant and complete in the work that I have read) equates "self" doubt, with doubt in the existence of God.
So here are some questions to get you thinking and responding this morning (laying aside the whole Mother Teresa argument - it's old news, Google it, you'll find thousands of entries that try to prove her atheism by parsing the words of her personal confessions): Does self-doubt equate to doubt in the existence of God? Do you ever doubt yourself? Do you ever doubt your faith? What do YOU do when you find that you are doubting your beliefs?
Mouth off. Speak out. Let's get the conversation going.
Here's Godin's original post: Authenticity
I think self doubt is an important part of faith. If we walked around in life believing we we're the best thing the world has seen, we would never learn anything about life because there would be no one good enough to teach us.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how the two connect?
ReplyDeleteI've doubted myself and my abilities many times. and I've doubted God's existence more times than I would enjoy to divulge. both doubts come at different times and I never usually have one at the time of the other.
the biggest difference when I think about it is one of them directly affects its truth and one does not.
when I doubt that can do what I need to, or what I believe God wants me to, it handicaps me and give the doubt some truth.
God ,however, has existed and will exist forever whether I believe that is true or not. my doubt has nothing to do with his life. it affects me, but never Him.
First, I will say that not being able to completely listen to someone because of what they believe will handicap ones ability to learn, and to demonstrate the Christian faith in a way that may change that someones life and beliefs. Smart people sometimes have the hardest time securing faith in intangible concepts. Does that make them less smart? It would be leaning towards ignorant to dismiss the experience, education, and insight of someone like Seth Godin or Mother Teresa because of their faith.
ReplyDeleteOn to the question; does self-doubt equal doubt in God? As a Christian I think that just as WE are in a relationship with GOD, our faith or doubt in ourselves and God are relational as well. That does not mean they are equal however. Just as Chris said about Truth, it does not change based on doubts. If Phil 4:13 is true then does our doubt demonstrate self-doubt or doubt that God will do what He said. I believe self-doubt and doubt in God are interdependent, and yet influence each other.
My recommendation is to believe in God first and, with that, everything He says. This will directly change the perspective we have of ourselves, and set our foundation on unwavering Truth. If you see yourself in context to the relationship God wants to have with you it's a little harder to maintain self-doubt.
You can also separate "yourself" in to what you are capable of WITHOUT God and what you are capable of WITH God. This sort of 'self-doubt' can be exercised as humility and be healthy in your relationship.
Also, see Moses to study these relationships.
I don't normally answer these things but I'm procrastinating at work. Have fun everyone!
interesting.
ReplyDeleteI just read Seth's blog.
didn't Jesus say we are judge things by the fruit they produce.
and that by other see our *good works* they would believe that God loves them. not by how much we think he loves them or by how well we can articulate it.
in John chap 14 and 15. Jesus says multiple time that he knows we love him because we keep (honor) his commands 14:15 is my fave! it basically translates "if you really love me, you'll do what I've told you"
God seems to put more stock in our actions than on our belief systems and doctrinal values. and I agree with Mr Godin. that your belief don't amount to squat if you don't live like you believe them.
okay I have to hit the mother teresa comment a little though :P
if it's true that what a person DOES carries more weight about who they are than what they THINK.
then it stands to debate that Ms. Teresa was no true atheist. I say that based on her fruit. she didn't act like one. honestly she probably had the same amount of doubt as any of us. as Seth even put at the beginning of his blog. "if it acts like a duck..."
now that thought has me thinking this:
if people could never hear you speak or read what you write, but could only see what you DO would they be able to know that God loves them?
Great comments folks. Remember this quote (attributed to St. Francis of Assisi) "Proclaim the gospel of Christ to everyone; use words if you must".
ReplyDeleteself doubt or self less? I just looked up "self doubt" and there is one definition---the lack of confidence in one's self. I believe from the life that Mother Teresa lived that she did not have any confidence in herself. No, she didn't have too much confidence, but she didn't have too little that she wasn't able to live for God.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up I was the shy kid...I still kinda am, but I'm learning. I lived in Saudi. Everyone told me then and even now, "Wow what a wonderful mission opportunity!" Only I didn't take it. I was just another preteen dragged by their parents trying to live life normally. I never told anyone about my Lord besides the fact that I believed in him. I didn't have any confidence in myself.
I believe that God created us in his wonderful image. Talent? That's no stroke of random DNA. God planted talents inside us from the very beginning not so we can keep them to ourselves, but so that we can demonstrate how great our god is. It's not prideful, it's just fact. Well, maybe it's being prideful in God...but that is the beauty of it.
Mother Teresa was humble very humble but she was confident in herself and God. Think about it. If we doubt the human that God created us to be, are we not doubting God himself? Are we in fact saying, " Really? God you made this? Why this can't do squat!"
I as many others, have doubted my abilities, strength, and willingness to accomplish. At times I have been so depressed that I was afraid to see what would happen next. But through all those times, I had faith in God. And guess what? Things always got better. I have doubted myself many times, but I didn't doubt the strength of God. Would that make me an athiest? I think NOT. I seriously doubt Mother Teresa was an Athiest. But by chance of cicumstance she was..... She is dealing with that issue on her own.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments guys! Thank you all. I LOVE healthy dialogue and good conversation.
ReplyDeleteMother Teresa wasn't an atheist. She was a universalist. She believed there were many ways to God. She worshipped Mary. She did not believe in the true, biblical gospel of Jesus Christ. There's no doubt she was a self-less, sacrificial giving person. But those works do not save.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your comments. Again, whether Mother Teresa was an atheist, an agnostic, a universalist or a wooly mammoth is not something I was really trying to chase down here. However, I will say that I believe self-doubt is KEY to believing in the existence of God and His power, through Christ, to save humankind. Without self-doubt, I have no reason to believe in anything greater than myself. I view self-doubt (again, not doubt in God, but in ME) as a God-designed, God-given catalyst that makes it possible for me to believe and wholly rely on Him.
ReplyDeleteI think Seth Godin is a fine analyst of business and marketing trends and I enjoy reading and applying much of his work. However, when it comes to issues of spirituality I think he's a complete boob.
I wonder if Mr. Godin is true to himself since he amended the line to now read that Mother Theresa was filled with self doubt and it links to a CBS News story.
ReplyDeleteDon't write it if you are going to go back and amend it later is a basic blogger tenet as far as I know. Amending occurs through a new blog post not going and changing the old one.
Oh well since you can't leave comments on his blog either then the I suppose the rules don't apply to all.
Frank, you can ALWAYS leave comments on my Blog (especially when you identify your name as you did), although Godin has just a little bit bigger footprint than I do. ;) Thanks so much for your input!
ReplyDeleteOk so I am a little confused....I have just read Seths blog....and no where does he actually say Mother Theresa was an atheist....infact all he says is this:
ReplyDelete"Mother Theresa was filled with self doubt. But she was an authentic saint, because she always acted like one."
I happen to agree with him......I am a qualified life coach....helping others to find their own inner happiness....at times I am filled with self doubt, but I continue to do my job because I know Im good at it and I can see how I help people.
I think for the majority of us 'self doubt' is human....its how we rise above it and continue to 'do' despite it that counts!
Don't be confused. This was a really old blog post. Take a look at Frank Reeds comment above. Mr. Godin (who's work I absolutely adore and appreciate) at some point amended his post to delete the original reference (which was actually there, as evidenced by the commentary of others to this post). Thanks for your comment. If I had a dollar for every time I doubted myself, Seth Godin would be reading my books. Peace.
ReplyDelete