How to Honor an Author

Honoring the author of a text requires first attempting to understand what the author intended to say. Consequently, readers who adopt hermeneutical approaches that preclude the possibility of reading for authorial intent are disrespectful to authors. But courtesy to authors also requires evaluating what they have said (always leaving open the possibility that you have misunderstood them). Are the author’s assertions and claims important and true? Are the author’s suggestions and instructions useful and beneficial? Are the author’s assurances and promises reliable and constructive? Are the author’s questions interesting and thought-provoking? In short, have the author’s literary goals been fulfilled?

Two Causes of Doubt

Here are two causes of doubts about the Christian faith: (1) Facing questions for the first time and not knowing how to answer them. The remedy is to keep thinking rather than to stop believing. And it's best to think so as to love the truth more than ideas; (2) Letting the critics define the terms of the debate by unconsciously accepting their questionable assumptions. The answer here is to challenge all assumptions – including your own about critical thinking. Questions don’t have to lead to doubt and then to dismissal. And believers don’t have to accept the burden of proof.