In some
circles the Bible is merely an answer book.
With great sincerity, these folks scour the pages of their bible to build
a world view and a shield against the tribulations of life in this world. For most of us this construction project is
foundational and it begins in Sunday School but Sunday school is not
necessarily an adult biblical education. Supposed answers alone, whether from scripture
or the pulpit, can be a religious group think that may limit our access to our God
given spiritual potential.
The
temptation is to claim answers in lieu of questions. We all need answers to hang our lives on but
asking questions of the Bible may be more valuable than seeking answers. At least asking questions raises Bible reading
beyond a mere disciplinary exercise, treadmills are so boring. Prior generations to often read in this manner, moving
quickly from one confirmation of already assumed truth to another confirmation
passage.
Could it be
that reading for answers is the reason Bible reading has become so
unpopular? Could it be that telling the
folk biblical answers without exploring the alternatives makes the actual reading
pointless? According to the church, we dummy’s
in the pew are not allowed or qualified to ask questions, the church says, why ask questions? Did Jesus only learn a list of answers in Sunday School?
St. Luke 2
is the only account in the Bible of the Sunday School years of Jesus. At age twelve, on the occasion of a festival
trip to Jerusalem, Jesus goes missing from the family. Verses 46
& 47 tell us that, “After three days they found him in the temple courts,
sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his
understanding and his answers.”
Conclusion, if we cannot
handle the questions we cannot handle the truth.
G. Goslaw
Landers, CA
