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God in the Dark: The Assurance of Faith Beyond a Shadow of Doubt
Do you have significant doubts about God? Are you afraid to doubt, much less admit to anyone that you aren't fully convinced of God's faithfulness? Are you so torn by your questions that life is losing its meaning? This forthright but compassionate book works to tear away the layers of misunderstanding about doubt to reveal not only its dangers but its great value. As author Os Guinness "If ours is an examined faith, we should be unafraid to doubt... There is no believing without some doubting, and believing is all the stronger for understanding and resolving doubt." For those who are unsure of God's trustworthiness―and for those who are in a dark place, wanting to know "Why?" or "How long, O Lord?"― God in the Dark is a must. It puts a human face on the problem of doubt and examines it thoroughly. In a way that will respond to your questions, settle your fears, and strengthen your faith.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 1996
About the author
Os Guinness
77 books342 followersOs Guinness (D.Phil., Oxford) is the author or editor of more than twenty-five books, including The American Hour, Time for Truth and The Case for Civility. A frequent speaker and prominent social critic, he was the founder of the Trinity Forum and has been a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution and a guest scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies. He lives near Washington, D.C.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 16, 2019
So worth the effort!
Os Guinness is one of those writers that I can only read in small sections. However each of the sections if allowed to to e the object of sitting and pondering is very satisfying. Following his thought pattens is at times challenging but well worth it. He leads us over these pages to a deeper understanding both of the waive variety of experiences that can be called “ doubt” and helps us understand their inevitability but also shares ways in which to engage with them an resist their tendency to take over. I know I shall return to this book many times in the future
Os Guinness is one of those writers that I can only read in small sections. However each of the sections if allowed to to e the object of sitting and pondering is very satisfying. Following his thought pattens is at times challenging but well worth it. He leads us over these pages to a deeper understanding both of the waive variety of experiences that can be called “ doubt” and helps us understand their inevitability but also shares ways in which to engage with them an resist their tendency to take over. I know I shall return to this book many times in the future
September 16, 2019
Excellent book that examines how and why we may doubt our faith. Especially helpful for comforting friends who may be struggling with the why and how long, O Lord. Part 1 and Part 3 are excellent. I wish part 3 maybe had gone a bit more detailed.
Part 2 was informative on seven types of doubt and the root causes.
Part 2 was informative on seven types of doubt and the root causes.
October 22, 2018
Bon livre pour orienter notre réflexion par rapport aux sources de nos doutes. C'est aussi un bon outil pour nous aider à formuler et identifier les types de doutes auxquels nous pouvons faire face.
April 19, 2012
OS Guinness' God in the Dark could have alternatively been titled The Philosophy of Doubt. In it, Guinness engages with grand, philosophical magniloquence 9 different brands of doubt which often characterize man's struggle with the Christian conception of god. Make no mistake; this is a decidedly dense, high-level read. OS Guinness is clearly an accomplished philosopher and fervid Christian, but I found his dense prose to be somewhat of a detriment to the message he intended to convey. High-level prose certainly has its place in works of this kind, but not at the expense of clarity. What's more curious, his literary style seems at odds with the importance of what is discussed. As momentous as Guinness likely deems the subject matter discussed here, it seems accessibility would be assigned greater importance than eloquent prose.
No matter what specific types of doubt one has faced or is currently facing in one's search for the meaning and source of existence, it is likely engaged here. Guinness describes in comprehensive detail doubt arising from faulty conceptions of god, doubt from a stagnation of faith, doubt from unruly emotions and several others. As these doubts are approached from a philosophical perspective, do not expect many real-world scenarios and arguments. Much of the doubt "flavors" are discussed abstractly, which is understandable given the genre, but the work as a whole might not be sufficiently satisfying for someone looking for analysis of specific reasons for doubts.
While the "intelligent design" (or teleological) argument is often the most cogent argument for the atheist, it's the problem of evil that is traditionally the most difficult issue with which theists must contend, present company included. I wasn't fully engaged in the book until the final two chapters when the problem of evil was discussed, albeit cursorily, and doubt arising from waiting and impatience. Indeed, the majority of the book failed to address any of the problems I am most interested in, and I found the final two chapters to easily comprise the greatest substance the book had to offer.
As an impassioned skeptic of theism and Christianity in particular, I found his arguments lacking just as much as others I've encountered. In my view belief in the theistic, personal conceptions of god is the suspension of reason in the form of faith. Faith, as used in the religious sense, is the adherence to a notion that is unsupported by evidence and thus belief cannot be derived through reason.
His battle with the problem of evil within a worldview predicated on an omnibenevolent, omniscient and omnipotent being ends in a stalemate as is so often the case. Guinness advocates a suspension of judgment because we don't have all the facts, with the unstated but obvious assumption that evil must be somehow good. In the face of untold evil, devastation, starvation, sickness and mass extinctions in our evolutionary past, we simply do not have enough information to judge objectively, he asserts.
Ironically, he inserts a quote in the final chapter which I think rather handily undermines his problem of evil argument. It's a quote by Dostoyevsky's Ivan, and its poignancy is undeniable:
"All the knowledge in the world is not worth a child's tears."
I couldn't agree more.
No matter what specific types of doubt one has faced or is currently facing in one's search for the meaning and source of existence, it is likely engaged here. Guinness describes in comprehensive detail doubt arising from faulty conceptions of god, doubt from a stagnation of faith, doubt from unruly emotions and several others. As these doubts are approached from a philosophical perspective, do not expect many real-world scenarios and arguments. Much of the doubt "flavors" are discussed abstractly, which is understandable given the genre, but the work as a whole might not be sufficiently satisfying for someone looking for analysis of specific reasons for doubts.
While the "intelligent design" (or teleological) argument is often the most cogent argument for the atheist, it's the problem of evil that is traditionally the most difficult issue with which theists must contend, present company included. I wasn't fully engaged in the book until the final two chapters when the problem of evil was discussed, albeit cursorily, and doubt arising from waiting and impatience. Indeed, the majority of the book failed to address any of the problems I am most interested in, and I found the final two chapters to easily comprise the greatest substance the book had to offer.
As an impassioned skeptic of theism and Christianity in particular, I found his arguments lacking just as much as others I've encountered. In my view belief in the theistic, personal conceptions of god is the suspension of reason in the form of faith. Faith, as used in the religious sense, is the adherence to a notion that is unsupported by evidence and thus belief cannot be derived through reason.
His battle with the problem of evil within a worldview predicated on an omnibenevolent, omniscient and omnipotent being ends in a stalemate as is so often the case. Guinness advocates a suspension of judgment because we don't have all the facts, with the unstated but obvious assumption that evil must be somehow good. In the face of untold evil, devastation, starvation, sickness and mass extinctions in our evolutionary past, we simply do not have enough information to judge objectively, he asserts.
Ironically, he inserts a quote in the final chapter which I think rather handily undermines his problem of evil argument. It's a quote by Dostoyevsky's Ivan, and its poignancy is undeniable:
"All the knowledge in the world is not worth a child's tears."
I couldn't agree more.
July 3, 2019
The author proposes an analysis of 7 types of doubts that might attack a Christian. I found the chapters often lacked concrete examples and were vague enough to encompass all kinds of experiences, at the expanse of being easy to imagine.
What bothered me most, though, is that nowhere, not a single time, the author acknowledges the slight possibility that maybe, just maybe, his definition of faith, his definition of God, are not actually the truth. Doubt arises from a wrong understanding or a wrong practice of the Christian faith, or from unruly emotions: the fault always lies within the doubter, not with God not actually being there, or the Bible not actually being infallible.
The chapter about doubting the existence of God was far from satisfactory, dismissing it with something like "the reader can find compelling evidence for the Christian God somewhere else, for this book we will just assume the validity of the classic apologetic arguments, and so a Christian can trust in these facts once and for all. Doubt about them merely shows a lack of understanding or a lack of education in answering the question of God, additional research will solve them". Well. That was helpful.
What bothered me most, though, is that nowhere, not a single time, the author acknowledges the slight possibility that maybe, just maybe, his definition of faith, his definition of God, are not actually the truth. Doubt arises from a wrong understanding or a wrong practice of the Christian faith, or from unruly emotions: the fault always lies within the doubter, not with God not actually being there, or the Bible not actually being infallible.
The chapter about doubting the existence of God was far from satisfactory, dismissing it with something like "the reader can find compelling evidence for the Christian God somewhere else, for this book we will just assume the validity of the classic apologetic arguments, and so a Christian can trust in these facts once and for all. Doubt about them merely shows a lack of understanding or a lack of education in answering the question of God, additional research will solve them". Well. That was helpful.
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August 26, 2020This is not a light subject, but Guinness but a lot of effort and thought into it. His message is clear and easily understood. He comes straight out with some powerful statements such as this one:
“. . . truth is true even if nobody believes it, and falsehood is false even if everybody believes it. That is why truth does not yield to opinion, fashion, numbers, office, or sincerity—it is simply true and that is the end of it.”
Wow! Great job Os! And keep stating it as it is. I really admire folks who are not afraid to risk their reputation by openly communicating potentially offensive statements for the sake of the truth.)
I was able to take a few powerful statements from this book (Including the above one) and quote them in my own book, The Box Top to Life's Puzzle, in which I also recommend God in the Dark as a complementing read.
“. . . truth is true even if nobody believes it, and falsehood is false even if everybody believes it. That is why truth does not yield to opinion, fashion, numbers, office, or sincerity—it is simply true and that is the end of it.”
Wow! Great job Os! And keep stating it as it is. I really admire folks who are not afraid to risk their reputation by openly communicating potentially offensive statements for the sake of the truth.)
I was able to take a few powerful statements from this book (Including the above one) and quote them in my own book, The Box Top to Life's Puzzle, in which I also recommend God in the Dark as a complementing read.
June 27, 2024
Os Guinness’ work masterfully encapsulates all types, aspects, and root causes of the doubts that constantly affect the believer. He both gently handles the “bruised reeds” (Matt. 12:20) of believers plagued by doubts, and also lovingly reprimands the once-fiery now passionless Christians who permit doubts to plague them.
The most important aspect of this book is Guiness’ direction for a solution to the doubts. He is practical and truthful, prescribing short-term solutions, but points always to the long-term solution of God’s faithfulness. It is the existence and character of God that are the solution for doubt, and NOT the strength of our faith in Him.
Basically, read this. A great book to commence my Impact 360 Fellows reading list.
The most important aspect of this book is Guiness’ direction for a solution to the doubts. He is practical and truthful, prescribing short-term solutions, but points always to the long-term solution of God’s faithfulness. It is the existence and character of God that are the solution for doubt, and NOT the strength of our faith in Him.
Basically, read this. A great book to commence my Impact 360 Fellows reading list.
June 14, 2018
Very helpful read. Contrary to the front-cover summary, this book delves way past simply doubting your salvation or doubting there is a God, but attempts to look at all the different causes for doubt to shake both believers and non-Christians, and ways we attempt to mask doubt, or struggle in faith, or judge doubt too harshly. Doubt has been an obstacle in the way for every human on earth in one way or another, and this book not only helps you identify the true cause and nature of specific doubts, sometimes lying underneath actions, but also offers steps to reconcile doubts and strengthen faith.
August 7, 2024
There are many apologetic books to help whittle away at the doubt of unbelievers or to strengthen the faith of believers, but what about a book for believers dealing with crippling faith? “God in the Dark” is that book. Instead of tiptoeing around this sensitive issue, the author charges ahead with intellectual rigor and brotherly compassion. He engages both the mind and the heart, allowing the reader to see the real picture of doubt—not as something to be ashamed of but as something that, when rightly understood, can strengthen our faith. If you are struggling with doubt about your faith, please read this book. It will be an invaluable resource.
August 16, 2018
I loved this book and read a chapter a day over the period of 11 days. I took numerous pages of notes and found this to be among the best of al the Guiness books I have read thus far. Well written, and book really makes you think. Highly recommend.
June 9, 2024
This is such an excellent treatment of doubt. As humans, we will doubt, we will fear, we will question. There are so many nuggets of wisdom in this book; I will likely turn to it again in my darker moments.
November 3, 2017
What a book
Please read this if you are a Christian you will not regret taking the time to reread many portions. Faith
Please read this if you are a Christian you will not regret taking the time to reread many portions. Faith
March 18, 2018
An excellent book on doub, which helps us think about doubt accurately.
May 16, 2018
Prefer the older version called "Doubt" - not listed in Goodreads
November 11, 2018
A wonderful expose on what constitutes doubt in the Christian heart and mind. Thoughtful and well written. Worth the time to read.
August 27, 2021
I regularly battle issues around doubt so having this is the house helps me unpack emotions.
April 6, 2023
Highly recommend this book for any Christian. Very good book with lots of information and advice.
September 25, 2023
This is such a powerful book on doubt. Thanks to Os for writing this especially chapter 10, my favourite part.
December 31, 2023
This book is one I go back to time and time again and still think about daily — doubts aren’t bad. If we seek truth we will find Truth.
March 19, 2017
Highly recommended for those whose faith has been shaken by doubt. As I was reading this, I was playing random music, and the song "Love in the Dark" by Adele began playing. The lyrics to the song fit perfectly with the title and theme of this book ... "I can't love you in the dark. It feels like we're oceans apart. There is so much space between us. Maybe we're already defeated ..." This book will get you back on track.
September 24, 2012
One problem with reading a book over a period of 6 months, is that one forgets most all of what went before, once one gets to the end. Though I can't remember much, I recall the first part of the book as meriting 4 to 5 stars and the middle section, earning itself 1 or 2 stars and the last part of the book calling for 3 or 4 stars.
Sadly, as one dealing with doubt, I don't feel any better off having read it. There is good material here though. Guinness defines what doubt is and then shares what he calls the seven families of doubt. Which are doubt form ingratitude, doubt from a faulty view of God, doubt from weak foundations, doubt from lack of commitment, doubt from lack of growth, doubt from unruly emotions and doubt from hidden conflicts. He finishes off the book with the "Two torturing questions"; why, O Lord (doubt from inquisitiveness) and How long, Oh Lord (doubt from impatience).
Os Guinness doesn't really seem like someone who naturally deals with doubt (of course I know he deals with some, we all do). I could be wrong, but I get the impression his temperament is more geared down certainty. And this is perfectly fine, but it just meant I didn't really Kythe with him. Books like "Oh me of little faith" by Jason Boyett or "Disappointment with God" by Yancey really ministered to the depths of my being, its like we speak the same language angst and doubt and yet somehow we stay Christians. But with Guinness, he seemed like a confident professional and an expert and therefore, I think its a bit hard for us doubters to truly grab on to his words. Though much of what he wrote is true and important, its like we speak a different dialect.
Sadly, as one dealing with doubt, I don't feel any better off having read it. There is good material here though. Guinness defines what doubt is and then shares what he calls the seven families of doubt. Which are doubt form ingratitude, doubt from a faulty view of God, doubt from weak foundations, doubt from lack of commitment, doubt from lack of growth, doubt from unruly emotions and doubt from hidden conflicts. He finishes off the book with the "Two torturing questions"; why, O Lord (doubt from inquisitiveness) and How long, Oh Lord (doubt from impatience).
Os Guinness doesn't really seem like someone who naturally deals with doubt (of course I know he deals with some, we all do). I could be wrong, but I get the impression his temperament is more geared down certainty. And this is perfectly fine, but it just meant I didn't really Kythe with him. Books like "Oh me of little faith" by Jason Boyett or "Disappointment with God" by Yancey really ministered to the depths of my being, its like we speak the same language angst and doubt and yet somehow we stay Christians. But with Guinness, he seemed like a confident professional and an expert and therefore, I think its a bit hard for us doubters to truly grab on to his words. Though much of what he wrote is true and important, its like we speak a different dialect.
July 13, 2007
This was like being served a steak on a full stomach. Good stuff - funny timing. I'm full and curiously delighted with simple moments of faith and peace this summer - like a duckling waddling through the shallows. This book articulates aspects of past insecurities I've harbored, let go, and given precious rightside-out meaning. I'm thankful for the many doubts I've troubled myself with over the years (relatively early in my life) because the surprising resolutions provide me with a thick, rhino-like faith. God knows what he's with me doing after all. Sucks, though, when you have divergent thoughts and your feet begin to step on eachother. This is a good book if you're in such a predicament and you're willing to step back and judge yourself.
January 19, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and found it very insightful and expect to find it very useful in helping others. It was a delight to read for me and I would definitely recommend it.
One minor critique: I did feel that his last chapter on doubts that arise in waiting could have been more helpful in that I found it a little too focused on our need for "visionary faith" and what we can accomplish through it rather than really walking through the real pain of waiting that we all often experience. I found this was a strength throughout most of the book, but a bit lacking in the last chapter.
One minor critique: I did feel that his last chapter on doubts that arise in waiting could have been more helpful in that I found it a little too focused on our need for "visionary faith" and what we can accomplish through it rather than really walking through the real pain of waiting that we all often experience. I found this was a strength throughout most of the book, but a bit lacking in the last chapter.
March 12, 2019
Nous pouvons croire que nous sommes victimes du doute, qu'il s'insinue dans notre vie à l'improvise, sans nous demander la permission. Et voilà, nous sommes sous son pouvoir. Os Guinness nous démontre que ce n'est pas le cas. Il nous explique clairement sept sources de doute et comment, par une vie spirituelle active, nous saurons nous en prémunir. Il y avait longtemps qu’un livre m’avait captivé à ce point. Je vous le recommande et pas besoin d’être dans le doute pour apprécier son contenu.
August 15, 2010
"This is an updated version of ""In Two Minds"". The book starts with a discussion about the role of doubt in the life of faith. Doubt isn't the enemy of faith, unbelief is. Doubt relationship to faith/unbelief is like fear in relationship to courage/cowardice. The rest of the book examines seven common roots of doubt."
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September 14, 2007Os says that sometimes we don't fully believe what we think we believe, and we move on to deeper theology to quickly. That may be part of the reason God is in the Dark for us. He instructs us to go back and examine more fully the very basics of our faith.
July 4, 2014
This book is exceptional. The writing is of the highest caliber. Guinness has left no stone of doubt unturned. I found him speaking to many of my experiences. This is a book that should be in the library of every Christian, for struggles with doubt are common to all.
January 11, 2015
Although reading Os Guiness is a difficult task, once I got used to his style of phrasing sentences, I got to understand and enjoy his intellect.
Os thinks that somewhere along our Christian living we all get to doubt and provides us with different methods to handle the doubt that may arise.
Os thinks that somewhere along our Christian living we all get to doubt and provides us with different methods to handle the doubt that may arise.
November 22, 2017
Solid read.
This book was very encouraging. If you are prone to doubt this is a book that you will read several times and highlight often. There is plenty of truth in it to take hold of.
This book was very encouraging. If you are prone to doubt this is a book that you will read several times and highlight often. There is plenty of truth in it to take hold of.
October 12, 2011
I was very impressed with the biblical knowledge of the author and the passion I felt as I read. If you are looking for a closer walk with your creator this is an excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews