Doubting Faithfully: Confessions of a Skeptical Pastor by Keith Long

#DoubtingFaithfully

At a time when many in our pews are quietly carrying questions they’re afraid to speak aloud, Keith Long’s Doubting Faithfully offers a needed and generous companion. As someone who serves in a role that connects congregations with resources for faith formation, spiritual growth, and honest reflection, I found this book both refreshing and deeply pastoral.
Long doesn’t try to tidy up doubt with apologetics or offer easy answers. Instead, he treats doubt as a sacred invitation, not as a problem to solve but as a path to walk. Drawing on Scripture, theology, and his own experiences in ministry, he reframes doubt as a natural part of discipleship and an opportunity to deepen our faith rather than dismantle it.
This book is especially timely for leaders and congregants who are navigating spiritual deconstruction, disillusionment with the institutional church, or the painful intersections of faith and suffering. Long’s writing honors the complexity of faith without veering into cynicism. His tone is approachable and hopeful, a steady guide for those who feel they’ve lost the map but are still searching for something real.
Whether you’re a pastor supporting others through their doubt, a lifelong Lutheran reexamining familiar beliefs, or someone quietly wondering if you’re still welcome at the table, Doubting Faithfully will remind you that even questions can be a form of worship. For congregations across our synod, this book can be a powerful tool for adult formation groups, small group discussions, or individual reflection. We commend this book to those who are seeking space for both faith and questions and who believe that God meets us in both.

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