The journey of faith isn’t always a straight line on a sunny day. Sometimes, it feels more like navigating a maze in the dark. If you’ve ever had questions that make you squirm, you’re in good company.
According to research from the Barna Group, spiritual curiosity is actually on the rise, with 74% of U.S. adults reporting a desire to deepen their spiritual growth. However, here’s the twist: the same research reveals that a whopping 52% of U.S. adults and teens have experienced religious doubts in the past few years.
So, what gives? It turns out, asking hard questions isn’t a crisis of faith; it’s a sign of an engaged mind. As apologist Lee Strobel once said, “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.”
Wrestling with these complex questions isn’t a sign that your faith is weak—it’s often a sign that you’re taking it seriously.
If God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there so much suffering?
This is the heavyweight champion of tough questions, often referred to as “the problem of evil.” And it’s on the minds of many people. A 2021 Pew Research study found that approximately 61% of U.S. adults have considered this issue. It’s a question that trips up believers and skeptics alike, and it’s been around for thousands of years.
The most common answer you’ll hear is the “free will defense.” The argument, championed by philosophers such as Alvin Plantinga, posits that God endowed humans with free will, which is an incredible gift. But for that freedom to be absolute, we had to have the ability to choose evil. True love can’t be forced, after all.
As Francis Collins, a Christian and former director of the National Institutes of Health, puts it, “It is humankind, not God, that had invented knives, arrows, guns, bombs, and all manner of other instruments of torture”. This view traces suffering back to the first human sin, which introduced brokenness into what was created as a “perfectly good” world.
How can a loving God send people to an eternal hell?
This question is a massive sticking point for many, hitting at the core of God’s character. It’s one of the top questions posed by skeptics and a source of deep struggle for believers.
The data shows this discomfort. While a 2025 Pew survey found that 67% of Americans believe in heaven, that number drops to 55% for hell. Clearly, the idea of eternal punishment doesn’t sit well.
Famed author C.S. Lewis framed it this way: “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it”. In this view, hell isn’t a place God sends people against their will, but the trajectory of a soul that has rejected Him.
Is Jesus really the only way to God? What happens to people who never hear about him?
Jesus’s statement in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” is central to Christianity but deeply challenging in our pluralistic world. This raises the heart-wrenching question about the fate of the unevangelized—billions of people throughout history who never had a chance to hear the gospel.
This question feels more urgent than ever in an increasingly diverse America. While 62% of U.S. adults identify as Christian, 7% belong to other faiths (Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist), and a significant 29% are religiously unaffiliated. We live and work alongside people with different beliefs, which makes the “only one way” claim feel more pointed.
Theologians have proposed three main frameworks to address this:
- Exclusivism: This view holds that salvation is available only to those who explicitly confess faith in Jesus Christ. Those who never hear are, tragically, lost. This view emphasizes biblical passages, such as Acts 4:12, which states, “Salvation is found in no one else.”
- Inclusivism: This is the belief that Jesus’s death is the only means of salvation, but that people can be saved through it without explicit knowledge of Him. God saves them based on their response to the “light they have” through nature and conscience (Romans 1-2). Theologian Karl Rahner’s concept of the “Anonymous Christian” is a notable example, referring to someone who lives in God’s grace without knowing its source.
- Pluralism: This is the position that all major world religions are valid paths to spiritual enlightenment or a deeper understanding of God. Theologian John Hick argued that different religions are just different cultural lenses for experiencing the same ultimate “Real”.
Hasn’t science disproven Christianity with things like the Big Bang and evolution?
For many, this is a significant hurdle. Barna data shows that for people of no faith, “science” is one of the top drivers of doubt about Christianity. The narrative is often framed as a choice: you can trust science or you can trust faith, but not both.
Many Christians, including prominent scientists, see no conflict because they believe science and faith operate in different domains. Science explains the “how” (natural mechanisms), while faith explains the “why” (purpose and meaning).
Far from disproving God, many Christian apologists argue that the Big Bang theory actually supports the biblical concept of creation out of nothing. The theory posits that the universe had a definite beginning, which implies a cause outside of the universe itself, a “Big Banger,” if you will.
The real conflict isn’t between science and faith, but between two competing worldviews: naturalism and theism. Naturalism is the philosophy that nature is all that exists. A Christian can accept the scientific theory of evolution while rejecting the philosophical worldview that the process was random and unguided.
How can we trust the Bible if it’s full of contradictions and seems to support slavery?
For many, the Bible’s reliability is a huge question. Skeptics point to apparent contradictions (like different accounts of Judas’s death) and morally troubling passages, like those that seem to endorse slavery, as reasons to dismiss it.
On the question of reliability, apologists argue that the New Testament is the best-attested document of all ancient history. There are over 5,000 surviving Greek manuscripts, and when compared, they show a 99.5% accuracy to the originals, with the vast majority of differences being minor spelling errors or copyist mistakes.
The issue of slavery is more challenging. The standard theological response is that the Bible doesn’t prescribe slavery as a moral ideal but regulates it as an existing, and unavoidable, part of the ancient world. The laws in the Old Testament, while harsh by our standards, were often more humane than those of surrounding nations.
Why are so many Christians judgmental and hypocritical?
This isn’t just a question; it’s an accusation, and it’s a massive barrier to faith. Barna’s research is stark: for those distant from Christianity, the “hypocrisy of religious people” is the top driver of doubt. Another Barna poll found that 85% of non-Christians aged 16-29 view Christians as hypocritical. It’s a problem rooted in painful personal experiences.
Many Christian leaders don’t deny the charge. They agree that the church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints. The Bible itself warns against hypocritical judgment. Jesus’s famous command, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1), is about condemning others from a place of moral superiority.
However, the Bible also calls for “correct judgment” or discernment (John 7:24). Theologians argue there’s a difference between condemning a person’s worth (which is wrong) and discerning that an action is harmful or sinful (which is sometimes necessary), especially within the church community. The goal should always be restoration, not condemnation.
Is Christianity inherently anti-gay?
This is one of the most divisive and painful issues in the modern church. While society has moved toward greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ people, traditional Christianity has often been seen as a source of condemnation and harm.
The personal stakes are high. While 62% of Americans identify as Christian, a 2025 Pew survey found that 48% of LGBT adults also identify with a religion, many of them Christian. This highlights the deep internal conflict many people face.
The traditional (non-affirming) view holds that the Bible consistently prohibits same-sex sexual behavior. It points to the so-called “clobber passages” in Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9 as explicit condemnations of homosexuality. This perspective argues that God’s design for marriage and sexuality is exclusively for a man and a woman, rooted in the creation account in Genesis.
Does the Bible treat women as second-class citizens?
Critics often point to passages that command women to be silent in church (1 Timothy 2:12) or submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22) as proof that Christianity is inherently misogynistic.
Within the church, there are two main views on this:
- Complementarianism: This view holds that men and women are created equal in value and dignity but have different, complementary roles in the home and church. It generally restricts the role of senior pastor or elder to men.
- Egalitarianism: This view holds that men and women are equal in value and that there are no gender-based restrictions on their roles and responsibilities. It argues that passages like Galatians 3:28 (“There is neither… male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”) abolish patriarchal structures.
Proponents of equality point to numerous examples of women in leadership throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, Deborah was a judge and prophet who led Israel. In the New Testament, women were among the first witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Priscilla was a teacher and church leader, Phoebe was a deacon, and Junia was called “outstanding among the apostles.”
If God knows everything we’re going to do, how can we have free will?
This is the classic paradox of divine omniscience and human freedom. If God has infallible foreknowledge of our future choices, are those choices truly free? It can feel like our lives are predetermined, and we’re just puppets on a string.
A classic solution, proposed by thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas and C.S. Lewis, is that God exists outside of time. He doesn’t “foreknow” our actions in a linear sequence like we do. As an eternal being, He sees all of history, past, present, and future, at once, in a single “eternal now”.
C.S. Lewis explained it with an analogy: “He does not ‘foresee’ you doing things tomorrow, He simply sees you doing them… You never supposed that your actions at this moment were any less free because God knows what you are doing”. In this view, God’s knowledge doesn’t cause our actions; it simply observes them.
Why does the God of the Old Testament seem so different—and angrier—than Jesus?
Many people perceive a stark contrast between the God of the Old Testament, who commands wars and sends plagues, and the God of the New Testament, as revealed in Jesus, a figure of love and grace.
In the 2nd century, a man named Marcion proposed that these were, in fact, two different gods. The early church condemned this as a major heresy called Marcionism, affirming that the God of Abraham is the Father of Jesus Christ.
The mainstream Christian view is that God’s character is unchanging, but our understanding of it is revealed progressively. And the picture isn’t as black and white as we think it is. God is repeatedly described in the Old Testament as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).
The OT and NT are not in conflict; they are two parts of a single story that climaxes at the cross. The OT reveals the depth of the problem (sin and the need for justice), while the NT reveals the depth of the solution (grace and the provision of a savior).
What about the violence God commands in the Old Testament, like the conquest of Canaan?
Passages in Deuteronomy and Joshua, where God commands the Israelites to “utterly destroy” the Canaanites, are perhaps the most morally troubling texts in the entire Bible. They appear to depict God commanding genocide, which seems irreconcilable with a loving deity.
Theologians stress this was a one-time, specific historical event. God was using Israel as the instrument of His judgment against a uniquely wicked and depraved culture known for practices like child sacrifice. The Bible highlights God’s patience; in Genesis 15:16, God tells Abraham He will wait 400 years before judging the Canaanites because “their sin has not yet reached its full measure,” showing His reluctance to judge.
Some scholars, such as Paul Copan, also argue that the “utterly destroy” language was a familiar and exaggerated form of war rhetoric in the Ancient Near East. It was used to describe a decisive victory, not a literal annihilation of every single person. The biblical text itself supports this. After passages claim “no one was left alive” in certain cities, later chapters show Canaanites are still living in those same cities, suggesting the language was hyperbolic.
Why does God seem so hidden and silent?
In a world of suffering and doubt, many people wonder why God doesn’t make His existence more obvious. If He just showed Himself, wouldn’t that solve everything? This feeling of divine hiddenness is a source of deep angst for many.
The primary Christian answer is that God did show Himself, 2,000 years ago, in the person of Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews states that Jesus is the “exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). From this perspective, the problem is not God’s lack of revelation, but rather human rejection of it.
The Bible consistently defines the proper human response to God not as “sight” but as “faith.” Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Jesus himself elevates this when he tells Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
If God performs miracles, why don’t we see them more often today?
The Bible is filled with dramatic miracles—parting seas, healing the blind, raising the dead. Yet, daily life for most people seems devoid of such supernatural events. This leads to skepticism about whether they ever happened at all.
The philosopher David Hume famously argued against miracles, stating that “uniform human experience” is against them. Since the laws of nature are consistent, any report of a miracle is more likely to be a mistake or a lie than an actual violation of those laws.
However, many Christians believe miracles are still happening today. New Testament scholar Craig Keener has conducted extensive research on this topic, documenting hundreds of modern, credible accounts of supernatural healings from around the world. Keener argues that Hume’s premise of “uniform human experience” is false, as hundreds of millions of people claim to have witnessed miracles.
In the Bible, miracles are never random acts of magic. They are purposeful “signs” that serve to authenticate God’s message and messengers, especially at pivotal moments in history like the Exodus and the life of Jesus.
How should Christians engage with politics without causing division?
In an era of intense political polarization, the intersection of faith and politics is a complex and treacherous terrain. Christians are called to be “salt and light” in the world, but political engagement often leads to bitter division, damaging the church’s witness.
The data shows a deep divide. Since 2007, the share of political liberals who identify as Christian has plummeted from 62% to 37%, while among conservatives, it has only dropped from 89% to 82%. This growing alignment of one party with Christianity creates significant tension.
Historically, Christians have engaged with society through movements such as the Social Gospel, which sought to apply Christian ethics to address problems like poverty and inequality. Today, many Christian organizations continue this work, focusing on “social justice” to address systemic issues like racism and poverty. However, other Christians are wary of the modern “social justice” movement, arguing it has imported secular ideologies that are incompatible with a biblical worldview.
The danger arises when Christians confuse God’s kingdom with earthly kingdoms. When the church aligns itself too closely with a political party or ideology, it risks making the gospel a tool for a partisan agenda, alienating those on the other side, and damaging its witness. Jesus himself said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
What’s the point of praying if God already knows everything or doesn’t answer?
This is a deeply personal question. If God is all-knowing, why do we need to tell him what we need?. And if He is good, why do so many heartfelt prayers for healing or help seem to go unanswered?.
Despite these questions, prayer remains a widely practiced activity. A 2023-24 Pew study found that 44% of U.S. adults pray at least once a day. This suggests that for millions, the relational aspect of prayer outweighs the philosophical problems.
The primary purpose of prayer isn’t to inform an all-knowing God, but to relate to Him. It is an act of worship and dependence that acknowledges His sovereignty and our need for Him. It often changes us more than it changes God’s mind.
Key Takeaway
If you’ve made it this far, it’s clear you’re not afraid of the tough questions. And that’s a good thing. Here’s the bottom line:
- Doubt is Normal: Grappling with hard questions is a sign of an active faith, not a failing one. Data shows that over half of Americans have religious doubts, placing you in the majority.
- Christianity Offers Frameworks, Not Formulas: For issues such as suffering, hell, and science, Christianity provides rich, complex theological frameworks, but rarely offers simple, one-size-fits-all answers.
- The Core is a Person, Not a Philosophy: Many of these questions ultimately point back to the character of God. The Christian answer, in the end, is not a what, but a who: Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the ultimate revelation of God’s love, justice, and redemptive plan.
- Faith is a Journey of Trust: The Bible consistently portrays faith not as the absence of questions, but as the courage to trust God’s character even in the midst of them.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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