Christian Leaders Weigh in on Mother Teresa's 'Crisis of Faith'

By Michelle Vu|Christian Post Reporter

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“We can conclude rationally that God exists, that His Word is true, and that He has revealed Himself” Colson said. “But without that leap of faith, we will never know God personally or accept His will in Christ.”

It was in the late 1950s when Mother Teresa met a well-known theologian, the Rev. Joseph Neuner, who helped her accept the “darkness” she felt.

Neuner gave her three pieces of counsel – first, there was no human cure for what she had, so she shouldn’t feel personally guilty about it; second, feeling Jesus is not the only evidence of His presence, and the fact that she longed for God is a “sure sign” of his “hidden presence” in her life; and last, the feeling of absence was part of the “spiritual side” of her work for Jesus.

Mother Teresa responded to Neuner in 1961: “I can’t express in words – the gratitude I owe you for your kindness to me – for the first time in ….years – I have come to love the darkness – for I believe now that it is part of a very, very small part of Jesus’ darkness & pain on earth.”

She later wrote to Neuner, “I accept not in my feelings – but with my will, the Will of God – I accept his will,” according to TIME.

“So what do the letters of Mother Teresa reveal? For one, they reveal the true cost of discipleship,” commented Colson. “To follow Christ is to embrace suffering and the Cross. And, at times, to say with Jesus, ‘My God, my God, why did you abandon me?’”

Baptist seminary head Mohler said that although he would not “presume to read Mother Teresa’s heart or soul,” he concluded from her story that faith should not be placed on volatile emotions but rather solely in the unchanging God.

“There is a sweet and genuine emotional aspect to the Christian faith, and God made us emotional and feeling creations,” wrote Mohler. “But we cannot trust our feelings. Our faith is not anchored in our feelings, but in the facts of the Gospel.

“Our confidence is in Christ, not in ourselves. We are weak; He is strong. We fluctuate; He is constant. We cannot trust our feelings nor our emotional state. We trust in Christ. Those who come to Christ by faith are not kept unto Him by our faith, but by his faithfulness,” wrote Mohler.

The Catholic Church is considering whether or not to make Mother Teresa a saint and the letters were collected as supporting materials for the process.

Mother Teresa died in 1997, nearly two decades after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

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truthandjustice1 »

Sat Sep 08, 2007 6:41 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

I only quoted numbers to show that even though people have tried to destroy the movement she started it continues to grow
truthandjustice1 »

Sat Sep 08, 2007 6:41 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

I only quoted numbers to show that even though people have tried to destroy the movement she started it continues to grow
Online4Him »

Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:51 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

I commend those who are serving the poor, sick, and down trodden throughout the world. It definitely is a special calling to live and serve among the destitute. However, one cannot demonstrate their faith to be true by quoting sheer numbers. Truth never has and never will be determined by mass numbers. God himself has given us his written word (2Peter 1:20, 21) as the only standard and test of truth (Isaiah 8:20, Matthew 4:4).
artm »

Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:43 pm Agree: 2 Disagree: 0

Hi truthandjustice, All that you said may be true. but what does that have to do with the Word of God.? What does that have to do with Scripture that says, we are saved by Grace and not of works.?

Do you deny that The Word of God does in fact teachs that.?

All that you stated in your post really doesn't prove anything does it, except that you put your trust in works instead of Salvation by Grace.

I have only quoted the Word of God, And that offends you for some reason. I cannot change the Word of God for you,

There is one thing that frustrates me, People who claim to know God,and reject His Word.

We are hearing reports of the things Mother Teresa has said, And many people are putting words in her mouth. Why not just take her for what she has said?. Don't add anything, take her at her word.

Art.
JPSJPS »

Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:57 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

The christian walk and life is not an easy life. We have to carry our cross of suffering to serve Christ. It's a life of self-denial as Christ taught us. Mother Teresa who I believe served Christ with all her heart. She had her moments of ups and downs which every christian has.That's normal because we are not super humans.We need to trust Christ and Him alone.Please don't throw unfounded accusations against Mother Teresa. Those who accuse her don't even dare to do what she had done for the poor and downtrodden.These false preachers talk big but they are like the Pharisees of old.Repent and do no more sins!
truthandjustice1 »

Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:20 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

Nobel Prize winning Mother Teresa Mother Teresa, dedicated to working among the sick and destitute is dead but other people have taken up the work.

They now run homes for abandoned children and those suffering leprosy and AIDS in 14 new countries.

From 733 in 130 countries in 1997, it now has 757 in 145 nations while the number of nuns has also risen and now stands at 4,800. I just wanted to tell you those numbers so you could get more frustrated.
Online4Him »

Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:41 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

artm:

I agree with you 100%! When will our brothers and sisters realize that our salvation lies in the finished work of Jesus Christ? Acts 10:43.
artm »

Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:08 pm Agree: 4 Disagree: 2

So many here are pointing to the works that mother teresa did as evidence of her salvation. Yet the Word of God clearly tells us that " We are saved by Grace,Not of works."

Thank God for the many good things people do all over this world everyday. But those things in themselves do not prove Salvation.

In Acts Chapter 10, You will find the story of cornelius. He was a man of many good works, But in short, He was not saved, untill God sent Peter with the message of Salvation.

The only way in which one can be truly saved, Is by accepting the Gospel message of Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Salvation does not come by good works. When one depends on works for their salvation, They are beleiving wrong.

And when one reads the Bible, they find that all Christians are Saints right now.

Lets not depend on a denomionation for Salvation. And lets not lift up our denomination, But rather, lift up Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.

Art.
ForloveofTHECROSS »

Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:12 pm Agree: 5 Disagree: 0

I have known the Lord Jesus Christ for 32 years now. He has kept me BY HIS GRACE AND MERCY for that many years. I have had so many great times and lots of painful ones as well. Becoming a Christian does not mean that you don't have pain, but neither does it mean you are really gonna get it now! Life happens. Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. Besides having a relationship with one's Creator, and Savior, besides being blessed with "benefits daily" walking with Christ, besides knowing that when you put off this physical body in death you have a home waiting where God resides, you have Someone who walks with you IN your pains and sufferings... in fatigue, heartache, sorrow, and negative emotions and all, however, what remains is that deep abiding JOY that the Holy Spirit gives IN suffering because you belong to God through Christ. My mother was killed by a doc's mistakes in the hospital...two years later my beloved hubby died in front of me with a cardiac arrest, four years later my oldest son died suddenly of some unknown lung disease, then a year ago I was diagnosed with Lymphoma and underwent chemo therapy, and three months after that nearly died of liver failure due to chemo meds. So, I do know what deep pain and sorrow is. I have lived with it and lived through it. I must tell you that God is tremendously faithful and HE keeps me...He carries me when I can't keep up with life and be the disciple I need to be because my pains have knocked me down. His Word is alive and powerful and is devotedly for His children to enable them to keep their focus when the emotions are dead. Heck, even the faith I have in Him, is a gift from Him! I think it's when the "lights are out" in life, and all seems contrary that God is there, and you feel down for the count that God's blessings shine forth the greatest..."He never forsakes those who seek Him" "I will never leave you nor forsake you", God declares, and if you can't believe that then just believe that ...."Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Hard times are where the "rubber meets the road" in your faith journey and either you believe God or you don't...simple as that. I believe and I walk in Holy Spirit given victory. Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
A.S.Mathew »

Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:58 pm Agree: 4 Disagree: 2

Mother Teresa, even though was a saintly person, totally dedicated to serve the poorest of
the poor, we need to remember that she was a human being. Those disciples who were
walking and talking with the living Jesus had fear, doubt, hunger, thirst, pride etc etc. One well known American evangelist who was raising millions of Dollars through T.V. evangelism made
a hurting comment about Mother Teresa, and his ministry began to disintegrate after a few months. we must be cautious to throw mud at God's elect by reading about their human
weakness like depression, doubt, fear etc.
Online4Him »

Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:27 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

The question is not whether Mother Teresa had or did not have such doubts and feelings. We should be focusing instead on the solution to such doubts and feelings. What is the solution? Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you – 1Peter 5:7.
truthandjustice1 »

Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:28 pm Agree: 6 Disagree: 3

Anti - Catholics will stop at nothing to trash the Church including spreading lies about a nun who did nothing but help people her whole life. Did she have doubts? absolutely Was she depressed at times? absolutely Did she encounter these same people who are trying to ruin her work after her death during her life? absolutely. However, I take comfort in the fact that her sisters are still out there around the world on the front lines of poverty, disease, and hopelessness giving comfort. There is another mother Teresa working out in one of these forgotten parts of the world suffering from depression because of all the turmoil she is surrounded by. Perhaps the people who are attacking mother Teresa could find these other women doing good works around the world and attack them. Isn't that what God would want us to do?
RBB »

Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:31 pm Agree: 3 Disagree: 1

TUPRBABE - You wrote "Mother Teresa's clinic refused to give pain medications to patients, citing some Catholic creed that indicates we have a "duty to suffer." I've tried to check this claim on the web and to tell you the truth, I can't say that I've found any proof of this claim on any website that I would consider reliable.

Just so we can keep in mind what Mother Teresa was really like .. This from American Catholic -
"We went to the orphanage, Shishu Bavhan, where little iron cribs lined the rooms. They were filled with babies that Mother Teresa and her sisters had saved.

One time a malnourished baby had just been brought in from the garbage heaps. I watched as a young nun washed this child and administered medication to try to save her from death.

Then Mother Teresa told us the story of another baby who had been brought in the day before. She said the child looked as if she had two heads because of a tumor that was so large she screamed in pain each time she moved. Mother Teresa made arrangements to have the child flown to a hospital to have the tumor removed. "So many babies, so many stories," she said with a look of sadness in her eyes.

Immediately after we arrived at the orphanage, Mother Teresa began caring for her little ones. Their tiny frowns quickly turned to glowing smiles when she entered the room. Those who could ran to her, tugging at her skirt and kissing her as they giggled gleefully.

At Shishu Bavhan, I saw an Indian woman who volunteers at the orphanage go from crib to crib, picking up each baby and giving each a loving hug. Mother Teresa told me that the babies could get medicine and food, but if they were not hugged, they would die. She said she had someone come every day to give tender hugs and kisses to each child, "something beautiful for God."
anniefourjesus »

Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:21 am Agree: 2 Disagree: 0

Suffering is a gift from God, He tells us to "count it all joy" and it's not that you look for the suffering, but GOD is watching how we handle this suffering, do we react to it, or do we bring it all to Him and let Him work it all out for HIS glory and our good.
Mother Teresa had more compassion in her little pinky then most people ever exhibit their whole lives. Pete, you produce the FACTS of where that money went?? You put up some evidence please to back up what you're saying.
One day we will all stand before God and give an account for our lives, you won't be standing there Pete for Mother Teresa, she will have to give an account for her own life, but you will have to give an account for your own, as will I.
Thank you again, Lord for the life of YOUR servant, Mother Teresa!
anniefourjesus »

Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:15 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

When we come into a relationship with Jesus Christ, suffering is part of the price we pay..we enter into and participate in the sufferings of Christ. Jesus was born, He suffered while on this earth, He was beaten, scourged and crucified for the sin of mankind. He was risen again and by HIS sacrifice this restored mankind back to the right relationship we once enjoyed with The Father. However, this doesn't come to us automatically, we have to BELIEVE GOD, first of all that mankind is EVIL and rebellious and we have gone our own way (which is truth) (but not everyone wants to admit their own rebelliousnes, they enjoy the rebellion). And that is their own choice.
Mother Teresa, (and who is the Accuser of the brethren) was one of the most self-less people the world has ever known. There is not a Christian alive or dead who has not battled doubts, but that doesn't mean we deny Christ!
PETE: you do not know Mother Teresa personally, nor do you know the many missions around the world that ministered to dying people that she helped raise up! My own Chaplain is a sister in CHrist who spent much time with Mother Teresa, and worked with the LEPERS in India.
So much of the Media has nothing better to do then trash a Godly woman/it's open season on Christians. But that is okay, the LORD warned us, the world hated Him and it would hate us too, and it's worth it to walk with Jesus! Lord God, thank you for the life of your precious servant, Mother Teresa. Lord God, only you know each heart and help my brothers and sisters as they trust in You Lord, the world is not worthy of these precious brethren Lord God!
THank you Jesus, for the Truth of Your Word! In Your Name I pray! Amen
TUPRBABE »

Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:51 am Agree: 2 Disagree: 4

Unfortunately, I have to MARGINALLY (and please remember I used this word) agree with HampsteadPete when he says we could have "done without" Mother Teresa. And believe me, this is a first that I don't wish to repeat.

Mother Teresa's clinic refused to give pain medications to patients, citing some Catholic creed that indicates we have a "duty to suffer."

Mother Teresa's teachings on suffering -
Source: http://magnificat.ca/english/mteresa.htm

Accept the gift of suffering

Today, the world is an "open-pit Calvary." Mental and physical suffering are everywhere. Pain and suffering will come into your life, but remember: PAIN, DISTRESS AND SUFFERING ARE ONLY THE KISS OF JESUS - SIGNS THAT YOU HAVE COME SO CLOSE TO HIM THAT HE CAN KISS YOU. ACCEPT THEM AS GIFTS - ALL FOR JESUS. You are really reliving the Passion of Christ, from now on accept Jesus just as He enters into your life. BATTERED, DIVIDED, FULL OF PAINS AND WOUNDS. [Emphasis mine.]

****

As a Christian, and as a medical professional who deals with inpatient physical rehabilitation patients, many of whom are in a great deal of pain, I have a big problem with her standpoint. I have to question whether her "good works" were good at all. I owe the dead and dying that much. Remember, the "Good Samaritan" didn't just sit with the beating victim so he wouldn't be lonely (Mother Teresa considered loneliness to be the "worst form of suffering"), he bound his wounds, pouring on oil (to keep out infection) and wine (to dull the pain). Luke 10:25-37

Additional Reference:
http://www.womengateway.com/enwg/Women+Portraits/Mother+Teresa245.htm
ProfessorX »

Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:42 am Agree: 8 Disagree: 4

I wish that we Christians would understand that genuine Christianity is NOT and has NEVER been a religion. It is a KINGDOM. Jesus said the "Kingdom of God is within you." God will take NO ONE TO HEAVEN THAT HE DOES NOT OWN. He became the ransom payment from the curse of sin and our separation from God. When Adam disobeyed God his spirit immediately died. And out of that once close fellowship with God, God cries out to Adam, "Adam where are you?" When Adam disobeyed the One and only Holy God, he committed treason against the King and His kingdom and was banished out of it.

Adam was created in the image of God and there for was given a dominion just as God has dominion; he has holy set apart from earth-bound elements and carnal lifestyle; he had the ability to create and design as God has; he had a language of communication that defied modern conventional form with God; he had the ability to reason as God had; He was fashioned with a moral code that reflected God's perfect will throughout His actions; Adam had a desire for justice as God has; he could see beyond the limits physical three-dimensional world to view the plan, character, and the nature of the Holy God; Adam could predetermine and plan as God has; he had the ability to agape-love; Adam was faithful as God is; Adam was sinless as God is; and Adam was righteous because he was rightly-positioned with the King. Since Jesus Christ is the image is the invisible God, Adam was patterned after Christ in heaven before His incarnation. (Colossians 1:15) Jesus, who is the Word of God, was present at the beginning

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

Once Adam disobeyed God: HE LOST the dominion and work that God gave him to do, HE LOST the image of God within his life, and HE LOST fellowship with God. Our beginning started with Adam. Once Adam disobeyed God, everyone who proceeded from his posterity was born corrupted with a sin nature even as they are today. It does not matter how many good works mother Teresa had done, we receive God's salvation help though faith in Christ Jesus. Teresa’s last days of life testifies that the Holy Spirit is NOT a feeling or an emotion; the Holy Spirit is the PERSON of God. He works in us to will and obey. She is a living example to us that good works do not save; Faith in Christ does. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit. If a person has not made Jesus their King (Lord), they certainly WILL NOT HAVE HIS KINGDOM

Citizen, if you are going to defame Yahweh, you better realize that you will have to answer to Him one day. He is the only God who is real. The rebellious wage losing battles against Him everyday to their own demise. You see, those who don't hang the weight of their life on Jesus Christ as their Lord (Owner) are condemned already. Repent today. ===>> http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com/#the_message_that_we_were_born_to_hear
flyingPC »

Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:03 am Agree: 3 Disagree: 0

Well, Citizen, all I can say is that everyone needs to continue to live the life that satisfies their mind and heart and hurts no one else in the process.... I am glad you have found yours. For me, Christ provides all of that.... and so much more. Emotions come and go... they are temporary... here is a list of "emotions": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emotions None of them come close to identifying with what I feel when I feel God's love.

It is interesting as to why you actually spend any time posting here. I have quiet a few atheist friends that I love all the same.... we have wonderful discussions from time to time.... but, they don't spend time on random sites where Christians (or members of any other faith for that matter) are having proper discussion.... what is it? Do you get a feather in your hat for each post that destroys the essence of the topic matter? Happy Friday!
Citizen »

Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:43 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 3

flyingPC: you sound like the Christian I used to be. "Christ's presence" can be no less powerful for being wholly a product of a vivid imagination. "What emanates from your heart" are the very emotions endorsing vague, unsupported abstractions that Mother Theresa lacked. Such emotions are not usually guides to truth (again, except in Mother Theresa's case)
flyingPC »

Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:54 pm Agree: 6 Disagree: 0

Citizen... "How many minds would have been blown if Mother Theresa had trusted her feelings and become a known atheist?" You sound like the atheist I used to be. I praise God for His saving grace everyday. Don't get carried away though... any devoted Christian has felt these feelings.... a completely normal part of the journey..... but, when you are having one of those precious moments where your heart is bursting with Christ's presence... it makes up for any past moment(s) of doubt. What emanates from my heart is all the faith I need... I don't see it, yet it is so very real. Have a good one, amigo.
p0o9i8 »

Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:53 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

Oops! Me still a work in progress. Philippians 3:10 not Phil.2:10. Redemptive not redemption. lol
p0o9i8 »

Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:19 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

After being in many yrs of Ministry of Preaching through music (non-denom), then following a death experiencing car wreck, Mother Teresa's life has been a prime example in giving Hope when there is no rhyme or reason of ongoing suffering. Her example lead me to return to my roots. Since I had forgot the redemption value of suffering. My Roman Catholic upbringing teaches even SUFFERING ( resulted from sinning) IS TOTALLY REDEMPTIVE WHEN APPLIED TO CHRIST SUFFERINGS. I think of somewhat of Phil 2:10 can be applicable,. gives me great solace.
Citizen »

Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:33 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 4

How many minds would have been blown if Mother Theresa had trusted her feelings and become a known atheist? It's odd, in many cases emotions support overinvestment in vague, unsupported abstractions, but not in this case. I think its very sad that she was forced to live a lie for so long. I'm sure she was worried about being "a stumbling block" to others. Dogma perverted her compassion to support itself in her head, long after it had become meaningless to her.
HampsteadPete »

Thu Aug 30, 2007 2:03 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 12

"What a truly remarkable example of what it is to be a Christian."

Oh, I guess being a christian requires one to spend a life in pain and suffering like the hypocritical Teresa. She certainly brought a heck of a lot of pain and suffering to those she was supposedly helping, that's for sure. Hardly any of the millions she collected all over the world went to help those poor souls in her care, it all went to build her order, so she could bring pain and suffering to even more people.

This is one woman the world would have been better off without!
shooter38 »

Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:52 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

What an encouragement to everyone called by the Name of the Son of God. American Christianity is so without cost. But look to the scripture and see what it really means to follow Jesus. This was brought home to me one day as I read in Luke " Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and the rising of many in Israel,and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed, And a sword will PIERCE your own soul too." From Genesis to Revelation those willing to do Gods will have suffered and done without to see the good news go forward.
Shooter 38
truthandjustice1 »

Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:37 pm Agree: 4 Disagree: 0

"The very essence of faith, you see, is believing even in the absence of evidence," "And it is the only way we can know Christ. I have come to love the darkness – for I believe now that it is part of a very, very small part of Jesus' darkness & pain on earth." I'm looking forward to Mother Teresa becoming a saint! What a truly remarkable example of what it is to be a Christian.

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