There seems to be an entire subset of Christianity that gets all huffy and puffy and terrified when someone asks a seemingly “heretical” question. Maybe a Christian author will write a book asking what the phrase the “Word of God” really means or maybe someone writes a blog post exploring the possibility of the creation narrative being allegorical instead of literal.
When someone asks tough questions, we can grow very defensive. I’m a youth pastor and I can’t tell you how many times (I’d bet $100 other church workers can relate) someone asks me “So what do you even do all day?” I hear that question and I grow super defensive. I feel I need to defend my integrity (and the integrity of other church workers) so those questioning can understand that working in a church can eat up a TON of time and be super draining.
Does God need the same defense? Do we need to defend God?
Wouldn’t a God who longs for deep relationship WANT us to ask questions?
God is in control. God is more concerned with God’s reputation that I am.
So question away. Question everything. Wrestle with hard questions.
Ask questions that make seminary professors turn up their nose.
At the end of the day, are we afraid that God won’t be known?
(originally posted here)
What Others are Reading:
Loading…
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
@Jim
great point. While our theology ought to be lead by older, wiser Christians, we shouldn't merely accept what they say as the final authority. We ought not be afraid to ask our leaders lots and lots scary questions. The bible is full of stories of God honoring those who asked the tough questions.
It's more about relationship than about having all of your theological ducks in a row.
@Jim
great point. While our theology ought to be lead by older, wiser Christians, we shouldn’t merely accept what they say as the final authority. We ought not be afraid to ask our leaders lots and lots scary questions. The bible is full of stories of God honoring those who asked the tough questions.
It’s more about relationship than about having all of your theological ducks in a row.
This is great post…I love the hard questions. They really make me seek after God’s wisdom…and chasing after the answers draws me closer to Him. God is so Awesome!! We can spend a thousand lifetimes interpreting and exploring all that He is and all that’s He’s done! Thanks Adam!
Your absolutely right when you say that its important to struggle with the difficult questions and the Lord certainly does not need someone to defend Him. Biblical study absolute brings one closer to God and the church needs more good theologians and we’ll only obtain them by people actually handling the questions that are without easy answers. Amen, right on.
But at the same time theres good reason for that almost automatic response to squash these questions. Some theological questions need more training, deeper understanding, and more careful study than most and not all Christians are spiritually, emotionally, or intellectually mature enough to handle it. You don’t give a 5 year old a set of weights and expect him to press bench 5oolbs. Some of the worlds cults are formed from someone trying to handle something their not ready for or try to learn something “undiscovered”.
But like the analogy of the weights, just because that 5 year cannot lift 5oo lbs doesnt mean he should be barred from the gym indifinitely. Theres a need for guidance, for training, and for strengthening and in time, theyll be ready at when they time comes, absolutely they should go for it, as long as their in a heart of prayerful study and discuss their findings with someone they trust (again most heresy gets footing because those who offer it refuse to listen to others ideas.
Thank you again for expressing your opinions and keep on in your ministry. God bless.
You must log in to post a comment.