Questions as WMD - UPDATED
Tomorrow I'm participating in a "conversational sermon" with a friend at a local church community, so I'm making a couple of notes. Mostly I'm identifying some of the milestone-marker questions I've asked of my faith over the past few years.
I love questions. I love questions more than answers, which stands me in good stead with a faith that seems to be more about the questions than the answers. Have you ever noticed that generally Jesus really sucked at answering questions? Often, he would respond with a question, tell a story, or just change the subject. I like that trait in a Deity.
I think I'm a bit of an oddball though, in that most people don't like (unanswered) questions. Uncertainty - bad. Ambiguity - bad. Mystery - bad. Rock-solid, unwavering, inflexible certitude - good.
Then, in an unrelated post from Scott Adams I just came across a fantastic quote that I'll apply to this issue of questions:
Most people don’t want to risk having their mind changed.
Ain't it the truth.
UPDATE: This is remarkable. Tonight I finished reading Life of Pi, which is an incredible book. Read it. More to the point though, as I neared the end of the book, I came across this quote:
"I know what you want. You want a story that won't surprise you. That will confirm what you already know. That won't make you see higher or further or differently. You want a flat story. An immobile story. You want dry, yeastless factuality."
Uncanny.
So...how'd it go? they run you outta town like the heretic you are? :-)
Posted by: david | September 10, 2006 at 08:06 PM
Thank you just said what I want to hear.
Posted by: Sajiv Sarin | September 11, 2006 at 06:00 AM
As I understand Jesus context, responding to a question with another question was a sign of a well learned rabbi.
Futhermore, maybe the right questions weren't being asked.
Posted by: Steve | September 11, 2006 at 07:54 AM
David - well, I've learned one thing... the tar and feathers come right off with nail polish remover!
Just kidding. It went well. Lots of interaction, and good feedback. And, we made a few folks uncomfortable, so all in all a good day.
Posted by: Mike | September 11, 2006 at 12:09 PM
isn't the book incredible? you highlighted one of my favorite quotes.
Posted by: bobbie | September 12, 2006 at 11:05 AM
I just came across your blog from Linwood House and read this. I always say it's not about knowing the answers to the questions, it's about knowing Him. He is the answer to all the questions. It's all about intimacy. His heart and mine, connecting. Sounds simple but it's quite difficult at times.
Posted by: candy | September 13, 2006 at 05:01 AM
What a great book hey? I've given it to loads of people over the last couple of years...
Posted by: LauraHD | September 22, 2006 at 02:08 AM
Just saw your post. What do you mean by "conversational sermon". If it's what I think it is, I've been championing something like that myself at my blog. Can you tell me what you did and how it went?
Posted by: Tim | December 21, 2006 at 06:18 PM
Hey Tim - I could have just as easily called it a "dialogical sermon". Basically, the two of us had a conversation in front of the congregation. It's his church, so I briefly told my story, then he asked questions and commented. Then we opened up the floor so others could ask questions.
On the subject of mystery, check out my quote from Richard Rohr from a few days ago.
Posted by: Mike | December 21, 2006 at 06:24 PM
The other Tim here...
For more on dialogue sermons, see here and here. The whole UK Anabaptist Network website is a rich resource for this sort of thing.
A blessed Christmas, y'all!
Tim (Chesterton)
Posted by: Tim | December 22, 2006 at 08:23 AM