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 When
someone questions your faith or some practice of the church,
what is your reaction? Do you immediately regard the querist
with suspicion? Do you rush to tell others that he is a heretic,
liberal, or even atheist?
If
you are confident in your faith and can "give answer to
every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is
in you" (I Pet. 3:15) is not this an opportunity to teach
and assist a friend or brother in their spiritual growth?
Young
people sometimes "become atheists" when in reality
they do not know enough to be atheists. They simply begin to
mature, and want to know why this or that; and we drive
them into defensive and antagonistic positions by failing to
treat their questions seriously, and really help them find the
answers. They do not know enough to believe either; and some
times our failure to assist them is a sign of our own ignorance.
We throw them a traditional "we've always done it that
way" line, and then blame them for rejecting the
establishment, or thinking "faith" is superstition.
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An
honest question deserves an honest answer. We should also
realize that sometimes the "trick" or debate type
question did not originate with the querist, but is being passed
on from some third party. We may go far by getting the querist
to realize the nature of the "old say" they have been
led to ask. Love "thinketh no evil" — gives benefit
of doubt.
And
when we have reason to believe the querist is quibbling,
baiting, or is otherwise insincere, perhaps the best course is
to explain patiently why you so judge, and then decline to
continue such fruitless wrangling. Make it clear that you will
he happy to engage in serious study when it can be conducted on
a mature and respectful level. On occasions one may "answer
a fool according to his folly" but extensive and imbalanced
use of this technique will but feed one's pride in his
"professional debater" status. It is not conducive to
serious and genuine teaching of truth.
Questions
and Answers are the basic ingredients of teaching and learning.
Use them to God's glory.
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