Answering Questions

Questioning Answers

The Philosophy of Openness

Luke 2:41-46                                    Rev. Todd B. Freeman

Bethany Presbyterian Church, Dallas                       May 23, 2004

Have you ever witnessed the phase that most children go through when they’re hyper-inquisitive about everything around them? Sometimes in their hunger to learn and understand the world around them they come down with a severe case of “questionitis,” asking what may seem like forty thousand questions a day? Every answer you give them is often followed by another question, usually, “Why?”

Each of my six nieces and nephews went through that barrage-of-questioning stage (most prevalent during the 4-6 age range), and it was quite interesting to watch, and even participate in. Thank goodness my brothers and sister, and their spouses, had the patience to listen to (and try to answer) their questions.

I think one of the greatest injustices to a child or young person is to not listen to the questions they are asking. For after awhile, they stop asking altogether. The same applies to adults.

Unfortunately, for a great many Christians the church, (i.e. institutional religion) doesn't always want to hear our questions. It’s sometimes like the TV game show Jeopardy. The church wants to give us the answers before allowing us to first ask our own questions. 

So, then, the question for us today is this: Are we, as a congregation, allowing you to ask your questions? If the answer isn’t a definite “Yes” then I want to hear from you. Of course there must be appropriate forums for asking questions, which we provide primarily through Church School classes, book study groups, and Inquirers/New Members class.

Many of us were brought up in a church environment where it was considered inappropriate, or even wrong, to question the teachings of the church. Many are especially hesitant to ask questions concerning controversial issues. God forbid, literally, anyone should talk about human sexuality. Or perhaps it's that there are some questions for which there seem to be no answers, so we figure what's the use in asking.

But I've noticed one of the biggest deterrents in asking questions is the fear that someone else will think we are uninformed, ignorant, or just plain wrong in what we believe. So I am pleased to remind you that the only bad question is the one that goes unasked. This philosophy of openness has been a hallmark of this congregation for decades.

Other churches are doing this as well. One is a Presbyterian new church development outside Austin, near Lake Travis. In fact, I’ve taken today’s sermon title from a huge billboard that they have which proudly declares, “Answering Questions /Questioning Answers.” The pastor of that new congregation happens to be the son of our own Jean and John Martin.

The Martins, along with Darren LaPorte and Jim Tarr happen to be in Kansas City this weekend for the annual gathering of ‘More Light’ Presbyterians, an affiliation of Presbyterian congregations who have made a public stand to be open to the full diversity, including theological, of our denomination.

Now, if you are looking for a good role model when it comes to asking questions we don't need to look any further than our Scripture passage from Luke 2. When Jesus was just 12 years old (that's that wonderfully inquisitive 7th grade time), his parents inadvertently left him behind in the city of Jerusalem. After three days they finally found him in the temple sitting with the teachers.  And what was he doing? He was not only listening to them, he was asking them questions. And verse 52 tells us that "Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature."

We learn from Jesus himself that it’s not only OK, it's crucial that you ask your questions. It's vital to your growth in faith.

Nine years ago I took a group of Sr. Highs from First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth (where I was serving as the Associate Pastor to Youth and Their Families) to the annual Sr. High Youth Conference at Montreat, North Carolina. Over 1000 Presbyterian teenagers grappled with the theme of that year’s conference, which was entitled, "Questionable Certainty."

The brochure stated, "The reality of our faith is mingled with unbelief. Come with questions, and together, we will explore issues of faith as well as those beliefs we are certain about as Christians. The celebration of our common certainties and the exploration of our honest questions will challenge and renew us in our faith."  And indeed it did!

One of the highlights of that trip for our church youth group came late every evening as we gathered to reflect upon the events of the day. And on more than one occasion we even stayed up after 1:30 a.m. sharing our questions of faith with each other. We learned something that a lot of people still aren’t aware of, that God can indeed handle all of our questions, and our doubts. And in the process of sharing we drew closer to one another as a youth group.

I’ve experienced this same phenomenon each time this congregation gathers for Church School on Sunday mornings, or at one of our book study groups.

Creating an atmosphere, or ‘safe space’, where you are encouraged to ask or share anything that is on your mind is part of Bethany’s style!

One of the activities that the youth did in their small groups at that youth conference was to write down all the questions they had about God. I took the opportunity to collect many of these lists. I wanted them not only for my own information in my work in youth ministry, but also so that I could share with others what teenagers throughout the country are asking about God, their faith, and the Christian life. After sifting through hundreds of questions, I have selected 14 as a sampling. I think you'll be impressed. You may have some of these same questions.

• Is our future already planned or predetermined by God?
• How do you know what you are supposed to do with your life?
• Does God control all events?
• Does God determine when we die?
• How do we know if we are saved?
• Will we know our friends and family in heaven?
• Is there a hell?
• What happens to believers of other religions?
• Are Presbyterian beliefs the right ones?
• Why did God put forbidden fruit in the garden in the first place?
• Is one sin greater than another?
• How literal is the Bible?
• How do science and God go together?
• And the question that almost every group listed, “Why does God allow bad

things happen to good people?”

• Let me add that one young person even asked, “Why have we been taught

not to ask questions?”

To each of you here this morning, member and visitor alike, I’d like you to seriously think about what are your questions? And I encourage you to write them down. Perhaps these questions would make a good sermon series.

Each and every one of us is searching - that’s what the journey of faith is all about. We must allow and listening to each other’s questions.

I must admit that I’ve never been associated with, or heard of another church that is more open to the asking of questions concerning issues of faith. A common response that I’ve heard from several new members is that’s a major reason why they decided to join Bethany. And from long-time members, that’s one of the reasons why they stay. We have come to embody, as a congregation, the belief that there is no one, exact right way to believe. For being dogmatic and absolute about issues of faith has done great harm to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Diversity of opinion in matters of faith must be approached with respect and openness, not a sense of spiritual superiority or judgmentalism.

In a remarkable book about Christian education that I studied in my seminary years, entitled Fashion Me a People: Curriculum in the Church, Maria Harris states, "Teaching becomes the work of raising questions. It is the work of saying to the learners, neither accept nor reject what is being taught (i.e. church doctrine, etc.) without investigation. Teaching is the work of instructing others to ask, 'Why is this so.' 'On what grounds?' 'Are there other equally valuable perspectives on this issue?' 'Have we new light on this text that changes its meaning?'" This has been very influential in my approach to biblical interpretation.

When we approach issues of faith in this manner we all become not only learners, but also teachers as we share openly with one another. So remember to ask your questions. And I’m serious about writing them down and giving them to me, anonymously if you wish.

A good case of "questionitis" may be just what you need right now in your own spiritual life and journey of faith!

Amen.