When "Knowing that You Know" Isn't Enough: Certainty vs. Doubt

In this episode, we explore the heavy weight of certainty-based faith. For many of us, growing up in the church meant an emphasis on apologetics, debates, and having a "neatly tied bow" for every difficult question. But what happens when life hits—when suffering, loss, or intellectual questions arise—and that demand for 100% certainty begins to feel less like a foundation and more like a prison?

We dive into the "shaking" realization that certainty and faith are not actually the same thing. By looking at the Great Commission in Matthew 28, we find a startling truth: among the disciples who stood before the risen Jesus, "some doubted." And yet, Jesus didn't shame them—He commissioned them.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • The tension between high-pressure apologetics and the mystery of God.

  • How a "fear-based" pursuit of certainty can lead to isolation and deconstruction.

  • The difference between intellectual reasoning and biblical pistis (faith).

  • Learning to hold the "both/and" tensions of scripture without needing an immediate answer.

  • Why the Great Commission includes the doubters, not just the certain.

If you’ve ever been afraid of "being caught not knowing," this conversation is a permission slip to breathe, ask questions, and find God in the mystery.

Key Scriptures Mentioned:

  • Matthew 28:16-20: The Great Commission and the disciples who doubted.

  • Hebrews 11:1: Defining faith as assurance, not just physical proof.

  • Ephesians 2:8: Faith as a gift from God.

  • John 6:44: The Father’s role in drawing us to Himself.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Kaley’s Gear List

Aperture Impact

Samuel Jackson Reed’s YouTube

Pour Your Oil x MVMNT Music

From Genesis to Junia x Preston Sprinkle

Deconstruction Episode

Listen on Apple

Listen on Spotify

Connect with Kaley:

IG: @kaley_hollingsworth⁠⁠

YT: www.youtube.com/@kaleyhollingsworth

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