Recently I stayed home with an sneak-attack of mild food poisoning. I cancelled class and rehearsal, but forgot about a student meeting that I had in the evening. After toughing through the meeting, I was headed upstairs when I saw one of my favorite students* chatting in a library next to a cafe. I poked my head inside to say hello, and noticed that three students were circled about a Chinese-English Bible.
So during a time I least expected it, I joined a small group of students trying to wrap their brains around the ideas in the Bible. The concepts they struggled with were amazingly logical: Are all of these stories true? If we can do anything we set our minds to, why do we need God? I have questions, so I guess I don't "believe."
I loved the fact that I was there to hear these questions, because too often these thoughts are shushed with cliche responses that don't really address the issues. Here are a few of my thoughts about these questions....
Are all of these stories true?
Classic Answer: Yes.
My answer: Which story?
Biblical authors weren't afraid of allegory, metaphor or illustrative narratives. Some people say, 'But if you think the Bible can be metaphorical, you can explain away all difficult parts as metaphors!' Um...no you can't. If you refuse to consider the possible uses of literature, you choose to limit your understanding of the Bible. Psalms! Proverbs! The development of themes and motifs of the prophets! Story-telling forms of the ancient Hebrews! My answer to this questions is, "I believe the Bible is real. Some of the writings aren't literal. Which one are you talking about?"
If we can do anything we set our minds to, why do we need God?
Classic Answer: Sometimes we make mistakes or get discouraged, so we need God.
My Answer: We can't do anything we set our minds to.
One of the myths of Modernism is the idea that hard work and innovation enables humankind to accomplish anything! Don't believe me? Go to a graduation ceremony.** Many people I know would say, 'I don't believe that. Human beings have limitations. We have spiritual and psychological needs that often can't be addressed through hard work or willpower.' If you are one of those people, welcome to Post-Modernism! I use the labels of Modernism and Post Modernism because I've actually heard people lament the death of Modernism. Humans can accomplish great things, but we cannot solve all problems. Let go of that pressure...it runs people into the ground. When this question meets faith, we tend to treat God like a gift-giver. Yes, He is Wonderful, Counselor, and Healer, but our need of Him isn't restricted to times of pain. We don't need God to encourage us while we solve all of life's problems. We need God because we are human, fallible, and limited, and that is often difficult for us to accept.***
I have questions, so I guess I don't "believe."
Classic Answer: Uh-oh, let's find the answers.****
My Answer: Questions are okay.
When I was little, I was troubled by the questions I had about God. I was talking to my mom one day while we were doing errands (I don't know if she remembers this), and she finally paused from what she was doing, looked at me, and said, "God can handle your questions, Emily. You're not going to make Him mad." I felt immediate relief that has encouraged me often throughout the years. God gave us brains, critical thinking skills, and plenty of paradoxical teachings in the Bible if we're brave enough to see them. I think God wants our hearts AND our minds. We worship with our minds by addressing the questions we have, not by ignoring them. I believe that if we use our questions to pursue the nature of God, them we're right where He wants us - chasing Him down!
I love Jesus, and I love teaching. Tonight I had the opportunity of talking with a well-loved student who was really thinking about God. I loved being able to validate her questions. Having faith isn't about the absence of questions, it's about the pursuit of God through those questions. I'm excited to talk with these students again!
*I'm a teacher, not a parent. Favorites are allowed.
**I loathe graduation ceremonies. However, the people I love tend to graduate from places. If I've ever attended a graduation ceremony on your behalf, please recognize it as the great extension of my love for you.
***There are many reasons we need God. These are just a few pertinent examples.
****Sometimes questions arise simply from lack of Biblical knowledge. In this instance, I'm referring to deeper questions. Too often I hear Christians say, "We just can't understand that because we're human." True, we are limited by our humanity, but God has embedded in us the desire to understand him (Ecclesiastes), and that desire should be encouraged.
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