questions
Recently issues have been swirling around seemingly everywhere I turn. Whether it is about Dick Cheney shooting someone, the controversy over our Ports on the East Coast, theological issues, who will win March Madness … issues of division. I for one am getting tired of everyone arguing about everything (I am not claiming that I am fully outside of all the problems. I confess that I am often in the midst of disagreement). I read about people’s perspective on everything everyday, and I have begun to wonder, why are we so set on being right?
I have thought a lot about this over the last few days as I have driven between Grand Rapids and Holland to and from home. I have begun to wonder, is it really about being right? What am I really going after? So many people I know never want to be wrong, others always have to be right, put these two sides together and you have a recipe for disaster (an example of this is the Republicans and Democrats).
What if our aim was not being right, but to be people who were asking better and better questions? For sure there are some things that we can all agree on, at least I think we can. We all know the sky is blue, right? We know that blessings are not just for the ones who kneel, luckily. There are many objective things that we can agree on. There are many more things that do not fall into this category.
The other day I received an email from a friend who wanted me to look at a document that his institution was working through (yet another issue causing division). I read it, and was astounded at the claims being made. The people who wrote actually claimed to know the “right” way to read the Bible. This was supported by a theological understanding that this same group knew to be right … so they claimed we could get to the singular meaning that was in Paul’s head when God inspired him to write.
This is indeed an amazing claim. If they have found it, then why are there people who see things differently? The writers of this document believe that women should be silent in the church. There are others disagree with this. Who then is right? Is someone wrong? When we draw such sharp lines about the things like this, we invariably divide. So what if we committed to be people who asked questions of each other and the Bible?
Why does Paul say in 1 Corinthians that when women prophesy they should have their head covered, and then later command that they be silent? Why is the Hebrew word ezer (helper) used of Eve when she is created and also used of God in his relationship with Israel? Does the term helper really suggest subordinate or dominate? What affect has the suppression of women had on men, women and the church? Why do people use Genesis 3 as a support for women being inferior when that text is about the fall? Questions … Questions …. Questions …
As we wrestle with these, there will be more. Then more and more. As we work side by side through these questions of life and faith, something miraculous could happen. We may still view things differently but we would not walk away chanting, “I’m right, you’re wrong!” We may actually grow in our respect of those who think differently. We would not dismiss their beliefs as quickly, and conversely we may even understand our beliefs in a deeper way. We are showing respect for one another when we ask, in effect saying, “I think you may know something about this, and you can help me understand.”
Let’s be people of questions, not people bent on being right. There is enough division everywhere, the church should be exemplary in forging a path toward unity in all things.