“When Scholastic philosophy was at its best, [their] systematic asking of questions opened up wonder and encouraged spiritual curiosity by drawing out pros and cons for answers to the question, thus refining the question itself instead of just looking for the perfect answer.”
–Richard Rohr
These words were in one of my devotions this morning and I found them very curious, perhaps because while at many times I can see gray, there are other times where I seem insistent on having a right or wrong answer. If one thing is right then the other must be wrong.
As I thought about the right/wrong answer thingy, into my mind popped Jesus’ claim from John 14:6 –
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
I don’t have a problem with that. What I am reminded of this morning (and this is not where I thought I was going when I started writing) is to ask myself this question: am I prepared to respond to those who question those words? Or other words from His book? Ummm. Some days more than others I feel I am ready to articulate the reason for my hope (1 Peter 3:15-16). And yet, being able to concisely share with others, with “gentleness and respect” is how to win souls for His kingdom.
Reading one person’s thoughts on Jesus being the only way to Salvation, I found these words. Words I have heard in one form or another many times, as I am sure you have, too. I need to be reminded of them regularly:
“No matter how good you are; no matter how religious you are; no matter what you do for God, you can never be good enough, or holy enough to earn salvation. Any plan of salvation that is based on the efforts of man is doomed to failure. But the Bible tells us that salvation has been made available to us because Jesus came to earth and bore our sins on the cross.”
— Craig von Buseck
Hence those familiar words from John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Now, back to my original thoughts. Think of all those people who came to Jesus looking for answers, being curious. Jesus never shied away from the questions people asked. Nor did He try to get them to stop asking questions, often answering a question with a question. In fact Jesus was always asking questions. Questions have the unique power of drawing out and even broadening a person’s understanding.
Today may you embrace your spirit of curiosity.
Oh, out of curiosity, I did a Google search for “controversial topics 2013” and was surprised. I must live in a sheltered corner of the world. “Milk” is a controversial issue? Where have I been?