Two Kinds of Religious Questions
April 30th, 2008 Posted in Spirituality, Theology
I’ve come to the conclusion that when someone asks me a religious question it is either an open door or a locked door with which they present it. Let me explain.
Someone can ask me, “Why do you believe Jesus is the only way to God?” I immediately try to determine if they are really looking for an answer or are making an accusation (“You can’t REALLY believe Jesus is the only way to God!”).
Jesus was asked questions by both cynics and seekers. Some Pharisees asked Jesus, “Tell us, then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Matthew 22:17) Their question was not put to Jesus to learn truth but to trick. On the other hand, people would ask Jesus genuine questions. Another Pharisee named Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old?” It was a response to Jesus’ statement that Nicodemus needed to be born again. Nicodemus’ question was a real question. He wanted to know.
It’s OK to question God, but we should ask ourselves - is it an open door question where we genuinely want to learn more or is it a locked door question where we ask it out of disbelief or even anger? Searching questions or defensive questions - what kind are we asking God?
People of faith are always going to be living with questions, many of which will not be fully answered this side of heaven. This is OK. Honest questions acknowledge a mystery we can’t wrap our thinking around. Why should we think we can fully understand God or His ways? Honest questions are an open door through which God may give us anything from an answer to a fresh and deeper sense of His presence so we can live with the mystery.
Dave
