It has been an article of faith since my earliest days that you do not question God. God is God and you are not, so keep quiet and unquestioningly accept whatever happens. But there has always been a nagging feeling in my spirit that this statement is unacceptable. This feeling was confirmed when I had children of my own and I looked at this issue from a father’s perspective. If my kids have a question, then they are free to ask it. I may choose not to answer it. I may not be able to communicate the answer to them. But I do not punish them for asking. (Although I do still expect obedience).
Those who say that we must not question God cite several concerns. There is an assumption that asking God questions infringes on His sovereignty and is in some way disrespectful. Or there is a concern that to ask questions of God shows a lack of faith or trust in His all sufficiency. Surely it is a sign of arrogance to ask questions of God?
I respectfully disagree. In fact, I am convinced we must ask God our questions for at least three reasons:
1) It puts us in a position of humility. When I ask a question, it is a tacit confession that I am unable to get the answers myself. It is not arrogance to ask a question, it is putting yourself in a position of dependency. Asking a question implies humility and a trust from the petitioner to the petitioned.
2) Asking questions about the conditions of this world implies a rejection of living in a sinful world. If we ask no questions, then we tacitly accept the injustice and the misfortune of this world. We should rage against the poverty and the oppression and ask God why this goes on. The satisfied ask no questions.
3) I believe that the biblical point of asking questions is not to get answers, but to see God.
Consider three brief examples from the biblical narrative.
Habakkuk asked God how he could use the Babylonians to punish Judah. God met him at the watchtower and told him to sit back and be amazed.
Job asked God a series of questions and then God appears in Chapter 38 and returns the favor. Job concludes in 42:5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.”
On the cross Jesus quotes Psalm 22 which asks God why he has been forsaken. God does not answer him, but Jesus perfectly fulfills his atoning sacrifice.
God never promises answers to our questions. But answers are not the point of biblical questions. He gives us something infinitely more valuable than answers: He gives us His presence.
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5 comments:
Thanks. I needed that today.
I don't find myself asking questions on a consistent basis. I think that the questions should be reserved for those powerful, life changing events.
I question God about the pain and suffering I encouter in the lives of loved ones. I don't tend to ask God questions about the mysterious elements of life (like why is Home Alone still the second highest grossing comedy of all time?!). Those can wait for heaven.
Since the day I learned to talk, I have always asked LOTS of questions. I don't always expect an answer, but sometimes I specifically ask my husband if he would just make up an answer, any answer! So when I ask, "Why is that man's dog purple?", he quickly answers, "Because he has 2 dogs that look exactly alike and it's easier to tell them apart if one's purple." And I'm completely satisfied with that answer! I have always asked God questions, but of course, don't always get a quick and easy answer. But I have always felt His presence. Thanks for the reminder!
The older I get, the more I realize the fact that God can handle any question I ask. Just as children drive us nuts with unending barrages of "Why?" (even when our answers contain irrefutable facts), at the minimum, to ask reveals where one considers to be a reliable source of truth and information. I place exceptions to this concept as related to professors, shrinks and Bible study teachers who choose to use questions to reveal truth and use questions as a teaching tools.
I know God loves me unconditionally by grace. When I ask God questions, I value Him as the ultimate source of universal truth that never changes from generation to generation. God may choose to answer through prayerful insight, through His written revelation of Himself as well as in the form of Jesus Christ. He may not answer at all during our life time.(Note: I have intentionally chosen to avoid politically aligned phrases or cliche'ed responses when referring to God's Word.)
I believe to have questions of God can be used to draw us closer to God as we seek His answers rather than the pat answers of the world or even the blind acceptance of popular theological answers that may be particular to our generation of "religious experts". We find Jesus combatting several issues of what was commonly accepted as truth during His day due to the misrepresentations and misinterpretations of God's Word (Law, Prophets, Psalms, etc.) by the professional "clergy" of the time. I have a friend who is fond of saying, "Beware the professional clergy". Sometimes I agree with Him.
As each of us are responsible for our relationship to God, commonly known as "soul competency" among Baptists, God reveals Himself to each of us uniquely although there are revelations that should be common among believers. And no, I'm not referring to situational truth or ethics. I refer more to the aspect of our individual testimonies that we can share with each other that may have a bit of a "revelation" of how God related to us in a particular manner in a given situation or "crisis of belief" as Henry Blackaby refers to it.
For me, to question God is a show of great respect, aew and worship as I recognize no greater source of the kind of truth I need to find for practical application in my journey with Him.
Sgregg,
Very well said. I particularly like the fact that you see questions as a means toward discipleship and being conformed to the image of Christ. In ym classes, the students who ask a lot of questions and participate in dialogue typically (though not always) perform the best. I could add nothing else to your helpful comment.
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