It is striking that the Independent Enquiry into the Hillsborough Disaster was chaired by James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool. It suggests that when there are big questions to ask, some people are more trusted with finding answers than others. In the Channel 4 news last evening, the former editor of the Sun newspaper, Kelvin MacKenzie, repeatedly refused to answer questions about his role in the paper's coverage of the Hillsborough football tragedy 23 years ago.
Asking questions is a very human response to the world around us - from the toddler's endless 'why' questions, to the deeper wrestling we all experience as life turns difficult and complex.
In the Christianity Explored course, those attending are encouraged to ask questions. 'If there was one question which you wanted to ask God, what would it be?' A good number from our church have been through this course, and have discovered many of their questions being answered.
Jesus was a great teacher, and he often asked questions, to get people to think.
'As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8.27-29) This key event in the Gospels revolves around asking questions.
Similarly, in the story of the expansion of the Christian community, told in the Acts of the Apostles, we come across many questions being asked and answered. For instance, an African returning home from Jerusalem asks Philip, the evangelist, ' Was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” (Acts 8.34) Philip has a few questions of his own, with which he starts his conversation. 'Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.' (Acts 8.30-31) Philips' question leads to a straight question from the African man, who wants his questions answered. That leads him, in a short time, to discover that Jesus is the answer to most of his question!
All of us have our own questions, which we need to keep addressing, as we seek to grow in our faith in the God who is truth. But we are also surrounded by friends and colleagues who have their own questions. If we can ask interesting and searching questions, with them, this may help them in their search for answers to life's big questions.
Best wishes,
Richard
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