Given my extensive history of doubt, it was honestly just a matter of time.
The hymn is sung to “Lancashire,” which many will know as the tune to “Lead On O King Eternal.”
1. We give you thanks for doubters, whose questions help us grow,
who don’t believe unquestioning but ask for proof to know.
You call us to discernment and give us minds to think,
For truth is truth regardless, no matter what’s in ink.
2. Our friend in doubt is Thomas, whose mind could not believe
Until he saw the Christ’s wounds, his doubting would not leave.
But once he knew for certain he spread it far and wide;
He took Your word to India and that church is still alive!
3. We give you thanks for atheists who love without belief,
Who do not fear your judgment or long for heav’ns relief.
They do not need commandments to live out moral lives;
May we, like them, feel urgency to do now what is right.
You can find sheet music here. If you’re the only ordained pastor at your church, or your church only has one ordained pastor or less, you have my permission to use it at no cost, to include making copies and streaming it online as long as you credit me as the author.
Verse 3 is based on a story about a rabbi who is asked why God created atheists. In a paraphased version that has made the rounds on the internet,
The Master responds “God created atheists to teach us the most important lesson of them all — the lesson of true compassion. You see, when an atheist performs an act of charity, visits someone who is sick, helps someone in need, and cares for the world, he is not doing so because of some religious teaching. He does not believe that God commanded him to perform this act. In fact, he does not believe in God at all, so his acts are based on an inner sense of morality. And look at the kindness he can bestow upon others simply because he feels it to be right.”
“This means,” the Master continued “that when someone reaches out to you for help, you should never say ‘I pray that God will help you.’ Instead for the moment, you should become an atheist, imagine that there is no God who can help, and say ‘I will help you.’”
This hymn probably isn’t the only hymn celebrating doubt in general, Thomas’s doubt in particular, or atheists, but it’s the only one I know of 😏
I wanted some of the rhymes to be better, but I wrote it in the middle of Holy Week because of Reasons, so it is what it is. I hope you like it.
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