Living by Faith, Dwelling in Doubt

I like slim, short books. Living By Faith, Dwelling in Doubt: A Story of Belief, Uncertainty, and Boundless Love by Kyle R. Cupp is just that. Coming in at less than 115 pages, this is quick, breezy read. But the content is not so breezy.

Living by Faith, Dwelling in Doubt is one man’s journey into the struggle to believe despite being assaulted with doubts, mainly due to personal tragedy.

Cupp is a young man who is a Catholic. The book reads more like a personal journey to himself than a treatise for others.

You get to look over the shoulder of a man who is grappling with his faith in God and the Catholic church, trying to make sense of why he lost his daughter (for instance).

Referencing recent shows like The Walking Dead and the old classics of Tolkien and The Cloud of Unknowing, Cupp talks about the tension of living by faith in the presence of doubt.

In many ways, this book reminded me of another book that came out this year by Greg Body, Benefit of the Doubt.

The premise is the same. However, Greg is coming at the issue from the perspective of an Anabaptist theologian while Cupp is coming at it as a Catholic.

I’d like to encourage Cupp to read Boyd’s book as I think he’ll really enjoy and benefit from it.

Cupp’s book raises many questions that hit all people of faith square in the heart. Questions like, can I still believe while I’m doubting a God who doesn’t seem to be real or near or here?

These are cutting issues for all believers.

Most Christians, like Cupp, embrace and experience a certain faith during their youth. However, when the storms of life come and crisis crashes into our lives, they either abandon their faith altogether — or like Cupp — they dig in and discover what uncertain faith means.

Cupp’s book helps navigate Christians through these questions and issues. He tells his own story in different stages as he shares discoveries, struggles, questions, and insights.

Like I said, the book reads more like a journal. A journal that, perhaps, many of you can identify with and thus be encouraged by.