If we look at Holy Scripture, we see an important pattern: that many of our most important lessons come to us upon the tail of a special question — a question of faith. And if we listen closely to those around us, we discover that our faith is also formed and strengthened through questions of faith that are offered by those who travel with us along the Way. Indeed, questions of faith are marvelous. While they almost always elicit answers, those answers often are ones that we don’t expect.

In Questions of Faith, Tom Robinson has crafted a collection of reflections that flow from questions of faith. Pulled from an informal journal that he has maintained since 1986, when he and his family moved to Durham, NC in order that he could attend Divinity School at Duke, they vary in length and style. Three-quarters of the reflections spring from questions found in Holy Scripture, one-fourth from the tongues of loved ones. Robinson posits that if you examine your own journey of faith, you will see that questions have been an important part of your own framework of faith.

Robinson adds that most of us are an admixture of faith and doubt, a blend of absolute assurance and utter confusion. We sometimes feel a bit like the father of the boy who was filled with the evil spirit [see Mark 9:17 et seq.]. Jesus says to the man — and to us — “All things can be done for the one who believes.” Like the father, we cry out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). The One who gave up His life for us is always happy to oblige! Thanks be to God!