Message of Grace: Faith, Doubt, and 7 Big Questions

Do you ever wonder, "why is life hard?" "why is there suffering?" or "what is my purpose in life?"? You are not alone. No matter your faith background, we all have questions about God, our purpose, and why bad things happen. Trying to find reliable answers can be overwhelming. It's hard to know who to trust with the questions you are most afraid to ask.

You need a safe space to ask these common questions about faith.

The 7 Big Questions invites you to explore some of the most common questions about faith.

1. Does life have a purpose?

2. Is there a God?

3. Why does God allow pain and suffering?

4. Is Christianity too narrow?

5. Is Jesus God?

6. Is the Bible reliable?

7. Can I know God personally?

 Bruce B. Miller guides you through a thoughtful approach to finding answers for yourself.

Enjoy this edited excerpt from the Introduction of 7 Big Questions to be released on October 4. Pre-orders will be available soon. 

When we started this book, no one had heard of COVID-19. Few people had ever experienced a quarantine. Almost no one alive had walked through a pandemic. When the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, it rocked the world. Everything we knew—everything we accepted as the normal every day of life—changed. Instead of going to school, work, or church, we sheltered in place. We didn’t know if we could safely open the mail, pick up food from restaurants, or go to the doctor. Around the world, we saw significant shortages in basic hygiene and medical supplies. The simple act of hugging a family member—or even being in the same room with them— went from a show of affection to a potential threat to their health. 

Suddenly, the very air we breathed seemed unsafe. Panic spreads, as it often does in the face of fear and uncertainty—especially when coupled with such a loud reminder of our mortality. Our mental health deteriorated. According to the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression jumped by a “massive 25%.” It also had an unavoidable impact on people’s thoughts about God and their relationship with faith. According to the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, “During the early months of the pandemic, Google searches for prayer relative to all Google searches rose by 30%, reaching the highest level ever recorded.” Their estimates indicate that by April 1, 2020, more than half of the world population had prayed for an end to the pandemic and coronavirus.

Even before the pandemic, nearly every Christian (including me) experienced seasons of wrestling with severe doubts and questions about their faith. That process often takes one deeper into their exploration of God. Theologian Paul Tillich wrote, “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.” While you’re here with us, we invite you to embrace your doubts, ask your questions, and seek out the truth. Not every question you ask will have a clear answer. Mystery abounds in this life, and there are spiritual realities that exceed our understanding. But I agree with theologian Peter Abelard when he said, “Constant and frequent questioning is the first key to wisdom. . . . For through doubting we are led to inquire, and by inquiry, we perceive the truth.”

Neither I nor Explore God is here to tell you the answers to your questions. We’re here to help guide you on your journey to discover the truth as you explore God for yourself. So let’s get started. 

7 Big Questions releases on October 4. Stay tuned-pre-orders will be available soon!