In Praise of Honest Doubt: Why Questions are Beautiful and Powerful

Making Sense of Faith with Adam Hamilton

What if your doubts about faith weren't a barrier to belief, but a gateway to deeper understanding? In this thought-provoking first episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most fundamental yet challenging aspects of faith: doubt. With warmth and authenticity, Adam shares his personal journey from skepticism to belief, while making a compelling case for why doubt isn't just normal – it's an essential part of a healthy faith journey. Drawing from both scientific perspectives and personal experiences, he creates a welcoming space for listeners to explore their own questions about faith, God, and the intersection of intellectual curiosity with spiritual growth.

Doubt is Not Just Normal – It's Biblical: Adam reveals that 95% of people experience religious doubts, and he explains how biblical figures from Moses to Mary wrestled with their own uncertainties. Rather than viewing doubt as a weakness, he presents it as a natural part of engaging our intellect in our faith journey.
The Science Behind Faith: Taking listeners on a fascinating journey through space with the James Webb Telescope, Adam explores how scientific discoveries can actually deepen our appreciation for the possibility of a divine creator, sharing insights from both Einstein and priest-physicist Georges Lemaître.
Why People Leave Church – And Why It Matters: Drawing from recent research, Adam addresses head-on why 67% of people have stopped believing what their religion taught, acknowledging the valid concerns that drive people away from faith communities and offering a fresh perspective on approaching these challenges.
Finding God in the "God-incidences": Through a powerful story about praying for a stranger in an airport, Adam illustrates how seemingly random moments can reveal deeper spiritual connections, showing how faith can manifest in practical, meaningful ways in our daily lives.
Making the Choice to Believe: Rather than presenting faith as a set of mandatory beliefs, Adam frames it as a daily choice we make based on our experiences, knowledge, and observation of the world around us – making faith accessible to those who value both intellectual integrity and spiritual authenticity.

No matter where you are on your journey, this episode offers a refreshing approach to spirituality that doesn't require checking your brain at the door. Through a blend of intellectual honesty, personal vulnerability, and spiritual wisdom, this conversation bridges the gap between doubt and faith.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[2:40] Why people having stopped believing in religion

[4:28] We are meant to be critical thinkers and ask questions

[5:45] Adam’s journey to faith through critical thinking, questions, and doubts

[6:56] Why doubt doesn’t offend God and biblical examples of doubt

[9:19] Everything in life requires a measure of faith

[12:17] Doesn’t science negate the idea that there is a God?

[16:20] Where did God come from?

[20:01] What is a “God-incidence”?

[23:16] How does believing in God impact your daily life?