⇠ May Your Words Be My Words

They are not looking out for you ⇢

Why?

Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about the big questions of life – what is the meaning of life? what happens after death? does God exist? things like that.

used with permission

I’ve always said that I have questioned everything I have ever believed except one thing – the existence of God. I have had serious doubts about the God of the Bible, the inspiration of Scripture, the interpretation of many passages, and other details, but never really questioned God’s existence.

Recently that has changed. Several things have contributed to that.

  1. I’ve spent many years reading the works of atheists, talking with them, debating the existence of God with them, etc. Many of them are the most thoughtful, intelligent people I have ever met.
  2. I have always thought a world without a creator creator was an inspiring idea. I’ve always believed God exists, but I think I’d be willing to accept if there were not.
  3. I’ve never been the kind of theist who “needed” to believe in God. Much like C.S. Lewis, I believe because I believe, not because I want to.
  4. I’ve grown increasingly concerned about the nature of the church in the U.S. In my opinion, many U.S. churches represent an over-emphasis on conservative politics, a fear of science, the marginalization of women, and discrimination against minorities. I also think far too many Christians accept whatever their church teaches with little regard for searching out the truth for themselves.

I have even begun to question the very existence of God, and even more so the existence of the God described in the Bible – the God of Judaism and Christianity.

A little more than two months ago, I was thinking about why these questions were so heavy on my heart and a thought that really bothered me popped into my head. I had been reading the Bible at an accelerated pace over the last six months. I’ve read the Bible for years, but now I was reading a very large chunk every day. Could all of that reading be the thing that makes me wonder? I’ve read the Bible intentionally like this before, and I’ve read it daily for long periods of time many times before, and I’ve read large chunks in short time frames before. I’ve even studied every book in a formal setting (most books at least twice) and in informal study (not just devotion). Was I seeing things differently now? Why?

Or perhaps something else was going on. I really don’t know.

The very next day we visited another church in the area (we were searching for a new church, but I’m sure that had nothing to do with my questions about God). The sermon was just what I needed to hear. I’ve never, in many years of attending church, felt as though the message was designed just for me. This was, by far, the best sermon I had heard in a long time. It was an appropriate message for me – and, I think, for this period in the history of the Christian church in America. There is too much dogma in our churches and not enough of what I would consider real faith – following without worry ing about if it all makes sense.

Early in the sermon the pastor said “I know I’m not supposed to ask why, but …” and then he went on to explain that it was okay to ask why. It’s okay to wonder about what God is doing. It’s okay to have questions.

I cold not agree more. Keep the questions coming.

The next week we went back to the same church a different pastor preached. I was affected by his prayer in a powerful way. Last week I wrote about how some of the prayers I hear really bug me, but this was a completely different attitude. It was refreshing, to say the least.

⇠ May Your Words Be My Words

They are not looking out for you ⇢