Believing Thomas
by Kenny Chumbley
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 4, December 1995
Have you ever had an unflattering picture of yourself circulated about—one you don’t think looks like you at all? (While writing this opening sentence, the thought occurs to me, “Is there such a thing as a flattering Floyd Chappelear picture?”) Has a report about your conduct—a true report—ever been circulated about you that focused on something you did during a weak moment? A report that, while true, doesn’t come close to telling the whole story about your character?
None of us likes being known for something that isn’t a fair representation of us. Yet, when it comes to the apostle Thomas, haven’t we done to him what we wouldn’t want done to ourselves? Haven’t we pinned a label—“doubting Thomas”—on him that doesn’t reflect the true man?
If your Bible is near, turn to the twentieth chapter of John. The greatest event ever chronicled is found in this chapter; viz., that Jesus arose! Low in the grave He lay...but up from the grave He arose! With a mighty triumph o'er His foes! In John 20:19-23, Jesus appears to all the apostles, save for Thomas (John 20:24). When the ten tell Thomas what they had seen, he replied, “Unless I see his hands with the mark of the nails, and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe it” (Moffatt). This statement, of course, forms the basis for “Doubting Thomas.”
But you know what? I’m glad Thomas had this reaction. I’m glad he doubted the apostolic testimony. Let me tell you three reasons why.
First, by doubting, Thomas was taking the scientific approach to the issue of Christ’s resurrection. To withhold belief until he could confirm it with his own senses is exactly the approach a scientist would take. A few years ago, two scientists in Utah announced that they had achieved “cold fusion.” Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which atoms fuse. Fusion is what happens in a hydrogen bomb (fission—splitting the atom—is what happens in an atomic bomb). A large amount of heat is required for fusion to occur (an atomic bomb must be detonated to generate enough heat for a hydrogen bomb to ignite). Scientists have long known that if they could ever fuse atoms without the enormous amounts of heat required—i.e., achieve “cold fusion”—it would be a tremendous breakthrough; energy and electricity could be produced dirt cheap. When the Utah scientists announced they had achieved the breakthrough, what was the reaction of the scientific world? “Unless we see his hands with the mark of the nails... we refuse to believe it.” Scientists are supposed to be skeptical, critical, not accepting a pronouncement until they have seen it for themselves. That’s all Thomas was doing. He was reacting scientifically. The charge has often been made that the apostles were unsophisticated, naive, gullible men, willing to believe in Jesus’ resurrection at the drop of a hat. Thomas’s skepticism puts the lie to that view.
Second, how did Christ react to Thomas’ skepticism? Did he rebuke him for unbelief? Did he shame him for doubting? No—Jesus offered Thomas the evidence he was looking for. “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27). In this, Christ set an example for all His disciples to follow: viz., don’t ever be afraid of looking at the evidence for believing. I sometimes get the impression from some “friends” of Jesus that if we dig too deep, if we poke around too long, if we turn over too many stones, we may discover something that proves Christianity isn’t so. And then there are those who think scientific discoveries have made it impossible to believe in the Bible. Both views could not be further off base. Don’t ever be afraid of taking an honest look at the evidence. And don’t believe the lie that science has disproven Christianity. When it comes to investigating the claims of the Bible, I’m not afraid of science being too scientific; I’m only afraid it will try ot pass off philosophy or pseudo-science as a genuine pursuit of the truth.
Third, look at John 20:28. This is the first time in the New Testament where Jesus is so plainly called “God.” He had been called the Christ, the Son of God, and the Son of the Living God… but not before, simply “God.” And it is “Doubting Thomas” who makes what could be the boldest confession of faith in the Gospels. He was skeptical; he saw the evidence, and then he confessed to the only viable conclusion that could be drawn from it. He was a believer, folks, not a doubter.
I find it easier to believe because Thomas found it hard to believe.
