Here is a good exposition on the healthiness of asking questions. McManus brings up the point that this ingrained need to ask questions (even questions or doubts regarding the existence of God) were something God created in us -- a normal human trait. We should not feel guilty for asking God questions. He can surely handle it.
It might be funny (and slightly irreverent) to imagine Moses' first encounter with God including a discussion about "Are you really real?" God's first response (after a slightly perturbed pause, collecting His thoughts and remaining calm by choice) to be something like, "What? Isn't the non-consuming burning bush enough of a sign? Hello!"
McManus tells another story of he and his son -- this one occuring when the lad was 15 (though now I'm not sure I can trust the age details with this guy, hehe). His son blurted out on a road trip: "I don't think I'd be a Christian if I hadn't been raised in a Christian family." He reason was that he had so many doubts and questions. This was a relief to his dad, who worried that it might've been the non-example he set that caused the notion. After a long pause after telling his son that he had doubts and questions, too, he asked Aaron, "So, what are you going to do?"
I love that. A direct question. Not allowing someone to get away with flirting unless it was very intentional (he could evade even a direct question, but it would leave no doubt as to his intention at that point). His answer was: "Well, I've met God, so what can I do?" I can relate to that, because like I mentioned not too many blog posts ago, my experience has taught me that God is real. I didn't see a burning bush, but my heart burned like it was on fire with passion. My soul almost jumped out of my body with joy, resonating with a sense of "YES! I have found the lover of my soul! I've met my maker!" It was entirely subjective (and thus open to intense scrutiny by a skeptic), but it was so overwhelmingly convincing that I doubt I will ever let it go or pass as simple delusion.
McManus ends his entry with a brief discussion about the appropriateness of the Name Jesus gave to God -- Father.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at January 15, 2008 07:57 AM