Come Back Podcast Terryl Givens on navigating faith and doubt, the true nature of God, and the secret of Christianity
10 snips
Nov 2, 2025 
In this enlightening discussion, Terryl Givens, a scholar and author of The Crucible of Doubt, dives deep into the complex relationship between faith and doubt. He shares his insights on how doubt can enrich one's understanding of God rather than diminish it. Givens redefines the church as a 'hospital' for growth and healing, urging a focus on community and service. He underscores the importance of risk-taking in faith, equating it to the vulnerability found in love. Finally, he emphasizes a loving, accessible representation of God that resonates with early Christian teachings.
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How A Teen Conversion Shaped A Scholar
- Terryl Givens recounts his family conversion, drifting away, and a recommitment at age 16 that launched his lifelong devotion to the faith.
- He then accidentally became a scholar of Latter-day Saint studies after his father gave him anti-Mormon books to examine.
A Letter That Became A Book
- Terryl wrote a personal letter to a family member who left the church and then read it at a Palo Alto fireside, where it unexpectedly resonated widely.
- That letter became the basis for his book The Crucible of Doubt, aimed at reframing damaging assumptions about doubt.
Doubt Targets Our Image Of God
- Doubt often targets how God is characterized rather than rejecting God outright, and faith should primarily make God present to us.
- Givens argues the essential test is whether a faith tradition grants access to a God of truth and love; other issues are secondary.
