Expert: Dr Tim Gladu - 8/26/2010

Question
Hi,
I am wondering, is it normal to doubt? I am a teen who has been baptized for a few years, and every once in a while I feel like a hypocrite because I suddenly, for absolutely no reason, will think, "is God really alive?" (Even though I know He is).

Also, will Judas Iscariot go to Hell? I'm confused because I remember somewhere in the Bible it says that God knew beforehand that Judas would betray Jesus. Without Judas, Jesus would not have been handed over to the soldiers. I understand that Judas committed a sin, but why can't he be forgiven?


Answer
Michelle,

having doubt is very normal. We all have a free will and with that will come doubts. I have doubts sometimes as I believe every other Christian. There are times when you see what is happening in the world and with people you know. I would not really be to concerned about doubt. If you doubt and turn from God then that would be a problem. Doubt that leads to a greater faith is something that I think happens when we doubt.

Now as far as is Judas in Hell? I can't answer that because God is the one who forgives and makes those decisions. I would have to say based on what he did and how he died that he might be in Hell. Now if he confessed his sin before he died and was forgiven then he went to heaven. Do you see why speculation is to hard when you are just a man. God is the one who knows I I prefer to not speculate about anyone salvation but my own. I would also have to say that sometimes I even doubt my own salvation and that will make me do a self check and make sure that I am right with the Lord.