Some Christian traditionalists view the asking of questions as a form of disobedience. I see exploration and critical though processes regarding popular opinion based not on fact but upon the opinion of an authority as a truly virtuous consequence of a curious mind. Basing our opinions solely upon what others have told us, without exploration, is un-liberating. Living with a world view base upon out dated dogma and constricting rules of engagement between men is an act of obedience. But to what? And at what cost?
Obedience to God is not what is at stake here. You can challenge the contemporary understanding of The Church without questioning God’s commands. Jesus never intended His children to blindly follow the leadership within The Church. In fact, our understanding of Theology Proper is base upon, educated and curious men’s challenges of what The Bible is telling us and what we should believe as saints of God, living among men. If this were not true, we would be worshipping as we were two thousand years ago. The fact that we are not is a testament to our increased understanding of scriptural principles and a deeper regard for context and audience when interpreting Biblical texts.
The most telling incite into the nature of humanity, is what I call the “grandeur of the contemporary.” Each generation of The Church has a contingency that believes that finally, after all these years; they not only have a deeper understanding of Christ upon their lives than previous generations, but that their views are above suspicion and introspection. Where does the motivations for these feeling originate?
It would be easy to blame the leadership with in The Body of Christ. After all they are a target for all those that wish to criticize The Church. However, criticism is not the true motivation of incite. The fact is many Biblical Scholars gained knowledge through critical study of The Word, not memorization of known facts and texts. A deeper understanding, developed through asking tough theological questions, allows teachers and preachers to tie multidimensional Biblical concepts to one another providing for deeper and more complex sermons.
We cannot put the burden of inaction upon the congregation either. Jesus never blamed the Jews for the corruption of faith within the leadership. He placed the blame solely upon the upper echelon of teachers. The sheep should be lead, and follow they will. This is our nature. Many like their answers in black and white and many ideas in The Bible are just that. However, many more Christian ideas are base primarily upon opinion. Armenians versus Calvinists, Pentecostals versus Baptists, Protestants and Orthodox versus Catholics, Conservative Christianity versus Liberal Theology, Billy Graham versus Jerry Falwell and the list goes on and on. One side can prove the other wrong only as far as they can prove that their own ideas are also left wanting.
What is most important is that these questions are as much a cornerstone of our faith as baptism and worship. Though we may never find the answers, the experience that that exploration provides can bring us closer to our Deity. Each time we question opinion, we have an innate opportunity to either solidify our argument, or better understand the plausibility of dissenting opinions. Through this we come to a deeper and less compromised understanding of God and a closer and more intimate relationship to our Savior.
I am wondering why you assume that we base our opinions upon what others have told us, without exploration. DO you really know what we have studied and who we have listened to over the years? Isn't that a bit of a judgemental comment?
ReplyDeleteRegarding your statement that we need to challenge the churches views at times, I would agree with that. The important thing here is to wait on the Lord and committing the issue to prayer for as long as needed to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit. It is not wise to shoot from the hip just for the sake of arguement! Better to study a matter diligently and seek God's counsel before saying anything...
Do you think Charles Wesley or Spurgeon or John Calvin, or maybe Martin Luther randomly sought to change the church as they knew it? I believe they anguished in prayer for a long time before they ever attempted to change the current view of their church. They did not take it lightly and perhaps wished at times that God had given that burden they carried to someone else! It is not with joy that a Christian changes things but in tears and with much interspection to check their motives.
I do not know if each generation believes they have a deeper understanding of God's word or not. What Ido know is that each generation has had more access to scholorly texts as well as Bibles than each previous generation did.
It is not my opinion that the Bible contains 'ideas' either! The 'ideas' are not suggestions for our lives to use or not use as we see fit. Many Christian 'ideas' are based on years of study and prayer, as well as Holy Spirit enlightenment. It does seem that each generation has a diffent concept of the meaning of certain passages that is true. Perhaps it is because each generation has a different structure.
Questions are important to ask, I agree. THe spirit of how they are asked and why they are even important should be considered too. I think that arguments are just that. THey are not the means discerning God's heart on a matter. Much better to pray, seek God and then come with questions that arise as we seek him.
I think a lot of our growth as Christians comes from listening to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we pray and study the word of God.
It is OK at times to listen to the wise counsel of others who have done the work of studying and praying. THey are not automatically suspect just because they have a differing view of the scriptures. THat is wisdom.
Finally, I think questions are essential for our spiritual growth. However, it is so important that they are asked with Godly and humble motivation.