Questions Without Answers

     I thoroughly enjoyed a group discussion I had in my English 420 class (back when I was still a college student months ago) about struggles, doubting, and questions of both faith and the Bible. It made me realize that if you look to the Bible as a handbook for life, you will ultimately run into problems. It is said that you should not pick and choose parts of your faith life to abide by. After our class discussion I have come to the conclusion that you have to. I must say I do try to sin as little as possible and be a good Christian (for lack of a better term) as best I can. However, we humans are naive if we do not admit there are not contradictory issues in the Bible (as Dr. Baker pointed out in class). Therefore, how do we follow both sides of a Biblical notion if it is contradictory?

     Moreover, some concepts of the Bible are argued to be cultural. Since our culture has changed substantially, are we still supposed to follow those? Paul told the churches that women should wear veils over their faces and not wear earrings while worshiping. Women (in America) do not do this today. Do we simply disregard this request because it is of the past? If we followed other aspects of ideals of women that were covered in the Bible, then females would have an extremely oppressed role in today’s society. Most women, as a result, do not follow all of the requirements of the Bible.

     Quite frankly, I believe the most important issue is not the rules of the Holy book, but the idea that all things point to Christ. In my opinion, what is most significant in a person’s walk with God is his or her personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Everyone’s is different. Therefore, I know this always happens, but, we should not judge others’ relationships with God if we do not truly know the extent of them.

     People also claim that doubting one’s religion is a sign of weakness in faith. Such a notion is blasphemy. Without questions, answers cannot be received. In fact, it is healthy to struggle because in the end, it makes a person rely on his or her faith more. If a person who is searching for God wants empirical evidence and proof, he or she will never be satisfied. We cannot and will not ever be able to prove the supernatural. Our proof is in the times we experience God working in our lives. The proof is in our personal relationships with Christ. Empirical data will never be the backbone of Christianity. Faith will be.