In this episode of the Ideology Podcast, Mick is joined by special guest Dr. Ben Young, senior pastor at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. With Drew away this week, the two dive into a vulnerable and thought-provoking conversation about doubt, belief, and what it means to trust God in the face of suffering and uncertainty.

Dr. Young shares his personal story of walking through nearly a decade of doubt, sparked by unmet expectations around prayer and miracles in his college years. What began as disappointment eventually led to a full deconstruction of his faith—followed by a slow and honest rebuilding rooted in grace and the person of Jesus Christ.

Together, Mick and Dr. Young explore:

The difference between doubt and unbelief, and how doubt can actually strengthen faith
Why many churches have historically struggled to make space for questions
The cultural obsession with certainty, particularly in evangelical and fundamentalist traditions
How suffering and disappointment shape our view of God's goodness and activity in the world
The importance of community, vulnerability, and empathy in seasons of deconstruction

They also reflect on shifts in the cultural questions people are asking—from "Is it true?" to "Who am I?"—and how the Church can respond with both conviction and compassion. Drawing from voices like Blaise Pascal, Søren Kierkegaard, and the Psalms, Dr. Young presents a vision of faith that embraces both mystery and reason, intellect and intuition.

This episode offers encouragement and guidance for those struggling with doubt or walking alongside someone who is.

Connect with us:
Email: ideologypc@gmail.com
YouTube/Instagram: @ideologypc

Resources referenced:

Room for Doubt by Ben Young
Pensées by Blaise Pascal
Fear and Trembling by Søren Kierkegaard
The Psalms and Ecclesiastes as biblical models of wrestling with doubt
Robert Kegan & Lisa Lahey’s research on adult development and cognitive complexity

Background track (licensed by Musicbed):
"Evaporate" by Svvn