 Contrary to popular opinion, there is such a thing as a stupid question. You and I have heard and asked our fair share. Some stupid questions, so called, cause little to no harm – given that the questioner asks them in jest; others, however, leave a larger wake behind. Writing to a fellow pastor and minister of the Gospel, the Apostle Paul addressed questions of the latter variety. The translators for the KJV rendered Paul’s words in 2 Timothy as such . . .
Unlearned questions. What are unlearned questions? The NIV calls them “stupid arguments;” another translates as “ignorant speculations.” Those who engage in the type of questioning of which Paul writes find pleasure in stirring trouble. The word rabble-rouser comes to mind; a word that the dictionary defines as . . . a person who makes a group of people angry, excited, or violent especially in order to achieve a political or social goal. Paul, rightly so, unapologetically condemns such behavior. Such behavior infiltrates all of society, including communities of faith. Christians of today, as did those of history, experience a tension caused by questions. Often Christians choose one of two ways to deal with questions – neither of which proves beneficial. Some choose, what I deem, the “fingers in the ears” approach. In fear of questions, they refuse to listen to any other perspective. They even refuse to acknowledge their own questions. Others choose the “open to everything” approach. In fear of appearing close-minded, they refuse to take a stand on most issues and the confusion that sets in weakens the ability to filter lies and recognize truth. I suggest and recommend a third option. That option, in a word, is faith. The 20th century novelist and essayist Flannery ‘Connor spoke of faith as the thing that “you have in the absence of knowledge” (477). While her conclusion may be overstated, her point is spot on. Regardless of how few or how many questions we ask and/or listen to, we must rely on faith. One evening Jesus’ disciples set sail on Capernaum Lake, following a tiring day of ministry and witnessing Jesus’ miraculous feeding of thousands. Once He finished a rich time of prayer with His Father, Jesus, having no boat, set out to join them. He walked on top of the water. Soon after the fear caused from seeing such a sign subsided, Peter decided to join His Lord in defying gravity.
Peter took a literal step of faith and he succeeded. Peter walked on water! But ...
Jesus’ verbal response to Peter’s focal shift from Him to the wind addresses the importance of faith. Within His address, He uses two words upon which I draw your attention. The first word is “little faith.” “That’s two words,” you say. Well, in the Greek, it is one. The word is oligopistos (ol-ig-op’-is-tos). The root word is pistis, which is the word for faith. The meaning behind Jesus’ word here is that of a “puny” or a “somewhat” faith. The second word is “doubt.” In the Greek, that is distażo (dis-tad’-zo). Literally, that is translated “to duplicate.” In other words, to distażo is to be double-minded. Doubt, the root of many questions, can lead to a puny or somewhat faith. Knowing that may drive you to practice the “fingers in the ears approach.” Not so fast! According to Jesus, we cannot and should not group all doubting into one category. Later in this same gospel, Jesus addresses doubt yet again.
The Greek word used here, rather than distażo, is diakrinō (dee-ak-ree’-no). That word is translated literally “to separate thoroughly.” Notice the difference in the doubts. The first leads to double-mindedness and wavering; the second leads to utter rejection. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he practiced the former. The verb often translated “doubt” literally means to be of a divided mind. This was precisely Peter’s difficulty. He had some faith, but he also had fears. Concentration and single-mindedness and trust in Jesus are required. In this case, Peter needed to keep his eyes on Jesus and not focus on the frightening wind and waters. Real faith requires real concentration and not focusing on the difficulties. But when one is sinking and there seems to be no remedy, “In the moment of most dire human need, there is but one cry, just as there is but one source of salvation.” (qtd in Witherington 293) Let us not forget that just moments before Peter called out for salvation, he walked on water. His doubts were not of the faith-shattering nature. Willem Vangemeren writes, “Jesus does not call for an easy-believism” (330). In your faith journey, you have and will experience doubt. I ask you today to determine to evaluate your doubt. What is the nature of your doubt? One kind of doubt can lead to a strengthened faith; another type can cripple faith. The former kind, when handled appropriately, will cause you to ask the difficult questions while anticipating God’s answer: You question to learn; you question with ears wide open. King David, a hero of the Hebrew and Christian faiths, gave voice to his questions. Read some of his inquiries.
Here David asks five questions; through each of which, he calls out for an answer to his waiting. How long? The first three “How long” questions speak to God’s actions, or, from David’s perspective, inaction. 1) How long, O LORD? – a general plea 2) Will you forget me forever? – an impatient plea 3) How long will you hide your face from me? – a plea expressing a feeling of neglect The fourth “How long” question speaks to David’s actions. 4) How long must I wrestle? – a frustrated plea The fifth “How long” question speaks to David’s enemies’ actions. 5) How long will my enemy triumph over me? - a defeated plea What is the nature of your doubt? General? Impatient? Feeling of neglect? Frustrated? Defeated? No matter the nature, respond to it as David did.
In the midst of your doubt – trust, rejoice, and sing.
As you do, do not fear to ask questions. He will answer them. #ordinarylives For further reading … O’Connor, Flannery. The Habit of Being: The Letters of Flannery O’Connor. Ed. Sally Fitzgerald. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1979. Vangemeren, Willem. The Progress of Redemption. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1988. Witherington, Ben, III. Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary - Matthew. Macon: Smyth & Helwys, 2006.
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