The first couple years after I started following Jesus I devoured significant chunks of Scripture daily. My heart was full. But one morning, while reading Isaiah, I had a sudden sensation that I knew nothing about following God. I needed a fresh start.
Since then, that kind of moment has been repeated. I view those moments as prompts from the Holy Spirit to dig deeper into Scripture and ask new questions. These junctures are a positive type of “deconstruction” which reinvigorates my faith, enabling me to more thoroughly understand God and his purposes.
This process reflects a long standing Hebrew practice in regard to learning the Scriptures. Hebrew parents start early by asking questions of their children and encouraging them to ask questions in return. This practice of learning by inquiry is generously illustrated more than 300 times in the dialogues of Jesus.
Researchers have discovered the most prominent characteristic of gifted children is curiosity. Their barrage of questions can be exhausting for those around them. Contrast this with a common trait of cults:
Cults often shut down or discourage questions and critical thinking from their members. This is a common tactic used to maintain control and prevent members from challenging the group’s beliefs or the leader’s authority.
The God of the Bible is secure in his eternal identity and welcomes our questions. But don’t be surprised if he challenges you with a question or two of his own. In contrast, religious systems featuring multiple, impostor gods inevitably produce followers who display rigid, fearful and sometimes weird or destructive servility.
Jesus gives us room to explore why obedience to his commandments is wise and meant for our thriving. He encourages those in his community of faith to support one another as each of us grow into a more consistent walk with him – an environment of continuous learning through unpretentious curiosity.
Action: Take a fresh look at a portion of the Sermon on the Mount that is most familiar to you. Choose either from Matthew 5-7 or Luke 5:20-49. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you fresh eyes. Make a list of 4 or 5 questions you have about Jesus’ words in the segment you selected. Listen for his answers.
Kathleen Petersen
