Greg Chandler
06/13/16
Questioning the status quo has become a hallmark of the true intellectual. Whether it is governmental decisions, long-accepted historical fact, or the accepted “best solution” for solving a problem, testing the accepted answer or solution is considered a downright necessity. The need for such an attitude has been attested to in many different ways. Had Galileo not questioned the accepted Catholic geocentric idea of the universe, man might still labor under the misguided belief that everything spins around the earth. Had the inventors in the Industrial Revolution era not believed there were more efficient ways to work, farmers might still plow their fields by animal power and household chores might still take days to complete rather than minutes. However, despite all of the good that occurs through this questioning, there is a danger when such an attitude is taken toward God. With the wrong type of mindset toward Him, one may be tempted to ask the wrong questions.
Throughout the Bible, God has demonstrated willingness for questioning. The prophet Habakkuk illustrated this when He asked God about the coming judgment on the nation. God answered each of his questions, allowing the prophet a better understanding of what was about to occur. There are other times, however, when God did not give this leeway. Perhaps this is best illustrated in the giving of the Law when God simply stated “I am the Lord.” In these instances, His point is that questioning is not allowed; He has given the command and the command must be obeyed. For some, this is unacceptable. Sadly, the same attitude which can mark one as intellectual can also mark one as spiritually rebellious. It is one thing to desire to build the better mousetrap; it is quite another to demand that the God of Heaven answer any and every question one might choose to direct His way.
Steadfast Job illustrated the danger of getting too close to the line. As he languished in torment, He questioned God for allowing bad things to happen to him; he accused God of not acting fairly and then refusing to provide the answer that he wanted. In one instance he stated, “I was at ease, and he broke me apart; he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; he set me up as his target” (16:12). At the conclusion of the book, the Lord came to Job with questions no mortal could answer and, in so doing, wanted Job to understand that his demands were unacceptable. Job got the point. In fact, he stated: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me. I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (42:2-6).
The difficulty, then, is in determining what is “off-limits” when it comes to questioning and what is not. While the complexity of this dilemma exceeds the space of this article, one answer should stand out. When one questions the goodness and fairness of God, the line has been crossed. A question that begins with “how can a good God allow…” is the wrong question. God has stated that certain things are simply “the way it is” in this life. He has stated that bad things will happen to good people (Matthew 5:11), that poverty will always exist (Matthew 26:11), and that sickness and death are a part of life (Proverbs 18:14; Hebrews 9:27). Some of this He has already explained; it results from living in a world whose citizens have given sway to the devil. Some of this, He has simply said “I am the Lord.” Therefore, it is inappropriate to ask for more information than what the all-sufficient God has provided; it is wrong to demand that the Creator answer the created.
Appropriate questions relate to personal strength in dealing with difficulties. Instead of asking “why does a good God allow…” the question should be “how can I respond to this situation so that good can occur?” Instead of abandoning faith because God will not give an answer He has never promised to give, the right question is “how can I allow this to build my faith in God?” The right questions are developed by examining the lives of faithful men and women of the past and asking how to be like them. The right questions are developed by reading what God desires and asking Him how I can meet the standards He has laid down.
When the struggles of life seem insurmountable, it is time to pray; it is time to ask God for help in meeting these challenges with a faith that will survive. One must never fall prey to cowardly agnosticism or a shrinking back from danger, but instead boldly approach the throne of God with a humble request for His help. The God who knows all knows what is needed before that request is made and gladly and liberally provides what is best; so, ask the right questions…and God will do above and beyond for His beloved child.