idolization of doubt

Recently I read a surprisingly positive sentiment about the presence of doubt in the normal Christian experience. In fact, the opinion was that a faith without doubt is no solid faith at all. And doubt never ends, so all honest and earnest Christians must embrace doubt as truth's constant companion.

I believe this exaltation of doubt is a subtle error. In my opinion, doubt's status is closer to a necessary evil than a praiseworthy virtue. Although I concur that doubt's "power of negativity" is indispensable for exposing falsities, it can also be destructive to the fundamental faith of the devotee. Every truth can be doubted; hence doubt itself is often incorrect and unhelpful. A devoted Christian is not like a philosophical rationalist who demands complete surety in propositions. Rather, they learn more deeply about the One over time through fallible methods, and faith puts the knowledge to work.

As I said earlier, doubt is necessary, but purely in service to its purpose: the gain of truth. Doubt is a means, not an end. When the Christian once obtains a beautiful truth, doubt's role is mostly finished. It's possible that the truth is a mistake, in which case doubt can yet be resurrected if appropriate. However, sooner or later doubts begin to be nothing more than obstructions that prevent people from trusting a tested truth. Doubt is a weapon against mis-truth. Just as we will cast off our weapons as we face everlasting peace, we will cast off our doubts as we face everlasting and fully-revealed truth.