Ask away.

So I have been reading this book called “Velvet Elvis” which talks about different views on Christianity, its foundations and Christian beliefs. It also discusses how Christians approach Christianity and how they react when they have questions about it or when other question it. I personally find the book to be very enlightening because it gives you a different way to look at things and it makes a point that if you have different views or if you have questions then that is actually a good thing. It’s a more open-minded and accepting approach to basic beliefs and values.

One thing that really struck me and that I have done a lot of thinking about is questions. Should we question the church? Should we question the basic beliefs we have been taught and is it wrong/okay for us to feel differently or to have those questions? Should we question God? Not necessarily His existence, but more so just why He does what He does and how He does things. It seems that there are two main types of Christians. One is the group that is like a trampoline. You jump higher and higher using springs to catapult you further and you do it in an attempt to go as far as you possibly can go. The other group’s faith is like a wall of bricks. The wall is made up of individual bricks like the core doctrines, the commandments, basic principles etc. I’m not saying that it’s wrong to feel one way and right to feel the other because everyone is entitled to view Christianity and their faith in their own mindset. But it seems that if we build a wall that we can’t get out of and that no one can get through than have we not in essence closed off Christianity to people who are already there with us? If someone disagrees are they sent to the other side of the wall and excommunicated? It comes across to me from reading the bible and praying and doing devotions and talking with people that we should approach Christianity with more of a “springy” approach. Jesus invites us to jump and enjoy it and we should do the same with other people. Christians now-a-days are far more close-minded than non-Christians because we have our beliefs and we don’t want to change those. It’s human nature really. If someone questions how you feel on a spiritual/moral/Christian issue people tend to take offense to it and become hurt and defensive. This leads to frustration and a stoppage in growth. It’s kinda sad. After thinking about it I have done it too. A lot. I don’t like to change. I don’t like having to adjust or having to adapt or anything. I see how I want things and I don’t want them to change because it’s easier that way. But they reality is that I have to adapt. I have to change. Not my beliefs or anything…but I have to be accepting and appreciative of others’ views and beliefs too and it’s not wrong for me or anyone to question certain things because of whatever reason. We should. If the catholic church was never questioned then we would have the protestant church and if Martin Luther didn’t nail his ninety-five thesis to the door of the Wittenburg Church and start the reformation Christianity and the church in general probably wouldn’t be what it is today. If people wouldn’t have questioned Jesus and the fact that he was the Messiah and the fact that he was the King of Kings and everything else and just accepted it then he would never have died on the cross for our sins. You can feel differently about all of it…in fact I encourage you to feel however you want. But I just feel what we should question. It’s our duty to question.

Here’s another example of questions in the bible. One you should probably know. In His final words He said, “My god, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Ring a bell?

JESUS questioned God…His Father…my Father. I should too.
Many people in the bible have asked questions. David asks God in Psalm 13 how long will he be forgotten and left alone.

Mary questions being the mother of Jesus by saying “But how can this be? I’m a virgin!”

According to Rob Bell, the author of this book, questions are rooted in humility. I agree. Asking a question is acknowledging that I don’t know everything but I am eager to learn.

I don’t want to talk forever on this but I have wanted to post about it for a while and I figured I would now.

Any thoughts?

- david