Ratzinger on Doubt

I've been reading one of Ratzinger's books this week, ''Introduction to Christianity''. I haven't gotten very far yet, but here are a few quotes about the nature of belief that have stuck out to me.

''Just as the believer is choked by the salt water of doubt constantly washed into his mouth by the ocean of uncertainty. . .so for the unbeliever faith remains a temptation and a threat to his apparently permanently closed world. In short, there is no escape from the dilemma of being a man.'' (p. 45)

''belief is the conversion in which man discovers that he is folowing an illusion if he devotes himself only to the tangible.'' (p.51)

I don't know what I think of his ideas yet, but I have enjoyed Ratzinger's style of writing. Here are a couple of passages from the Bible that I like even better on the topic:

''A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:26-27)

''If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord'' (James 1:5-7)

''Be merciful to those who doubt'' (Jude 1:22)