questions Archives - Lauren Sparks

Independence, Texas sits on the driving route to Shelby’s beloved Camp Blessing. Every year when we drop off and pick her up from a week of adventure, we pass through. And every year I have wanted to stop at Independence Baptist Church, which houses the Texas Baptist Museum. This time my doting husband agreed to stop and let me look.

I love history and enjoyed looking at the artifacts of famous Texans and the origins of Baylor University – my alma mater. And even though the museum was installed by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, I couldn’t help but think of my roots in the Southern Baptist Convention. If you don’t know the past and politics between the BGCT and the SBC, consider yourself fortunate.

Chalk it up to naivete, but I learned only a couple of years ago that the Southern Baptist Convention formed in response to the northern Baptists desire to abolish slavery. Not a selling point for the ol’ SBC. And I felt the weight of that in this little museum.

Once back in the car, I heard an interviewee on a podcast state that we shouldn’t be afraid of deconstruction. Attention caught! If you aren’t familiar with this term, in church circles, it refers to someone re-thinking what he/she has been taught about the Bible and what it means to follow Jesus.

I’ll be honest. I AM afraid of the term deconstruction. Because I most often hear it in relation to higher profile believers who decide that they no longer believe in God and His Word.

To clarify, I think questions are healthy. I believe God welcomes them. And His Word contains the answers. Not trendy books or philosophy or stories of people who walked away from their faith. When we acknowledge Christ as Lord, we possess only an elementary understanding. Following Him is a process of learning and growing that lasts a lifetime. I am certainly not the same Christian I was 5 years ago – or even last month. To stay the same equals stagnation.

To know Him is to become more like Him – not to deny Him. So as I moved closer to the heart of God and spent more time studying the Bible, I definitely questioned some of the teachings of my upbringing. For example, Southern Baptists largely follow a teetotaling ideology with regard to alcohol. I even remember hearing that the wine mentioned in the Bible was not like modern wine – that it wasn’t as potent. False! After studying the Bible for myself, I learned that scripture only condemns drunkenness, not drinking in and of itself.

I also feel very differently now about the “True Love Waits” ring- wearing purity culture youth groups immersed themselves in during my formative years. The culture itself set up a works-based mind-set for sexual purity that held rules and regulations above the state of young hearts. So I no longer subscribe to this teaching. What I still hold dear? Jesus’ teachings on holy sexuality and the physical and emotional protection provided there.

In the same way, I can see the Southern Baptist churches of my childhood as imperfect foundations for the faith I now cherish. Something that I have continued to refine and build upon. But turning my back on the inerrant Word of God is never an option.

So what should we do with the questions we have? Turn to the divinely inspired scriptures. And when we struggle to make sense of them? Look up the passages in question in their original Hebrew (for Old Testament) and Greek (for the New). The opinions of man – or even their interpretations, at times – can be misleading. And everything we hear or read should always be held up against God’s Word to discern truth.

No need for deconstruction. I’ll not burn it all to the ground. I’ll use what I’ve been taught as building blocks for the better and deeper understanding I continue to hone. I forever consider myself a spiritual being under construction.

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And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

Maryleigh Bucher of bluecottonmemory.com was brave enough to admit her confusion about the Holy Spirit. I think there are many Christians in the same boat. Read a little of how she came to know and understand Him better in Lead Me Through the Water. Bonus: she includes a beautiful original poem. Thanks Maryleigh!

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate)

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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I’ve been listening to Annie F. Downs’ podcast called “That Sounds Fun”. If you haven’t ever tuned in, I would highly recommend it, although it’s not as light and airy as the title implies. Annie interviews Christian authors, musicians, ministry leaders and athletes currently making an impact for God’s kingdom. And sometimes the conversations get deep. Recently she spoke with two back to back guests about crisis’ of faith. This topic stirred my heart in light of a recent guest lecture I attended at church on Generation Z (kids born between 1999 and 2015 – like mine). All three resources had one theme in common – the lack of a safe place to take questions.

For those of us who came to a believing relationship with Christ at a young age, the decision might have been a no brainer. When presented with a scenario like, “Jesus loves you. Won’t you love Him too?” Of course. Why not? Then we grow up. And although the Bible’s teachings about Jesus remain the same, we awaken to the ever changing landscape of the world. There are many different flavors of people and we aren’t sure how they all fit in. We experience heartbreak. There’s dissension in our church. Someone we love and respect views the Bible differently than we do. Disease or death strikes a devastating blow, or our “’til death do us part” falls far short. When life looks so very different from the way we imagine it, our faith often takes a hit.

I have walked with a friend who traveled back to square one – examining EVERYTHING she believed and taking nothing for granted. I personally have experienced what I’ll call minor doubts – never questioning the existence of a loving God or even a Savior who gave His life for me – but becoming uneasy or unsure of other Biblical teachings and church doctrine. What do we do with this? I have heard faith compared to a brick wall. It stands strong and sturdy, but many believers are afraid that if one brick crumbles near the bottom, the whole thing will topple. So we shy away from testing the strength of the bricks. We don’t ask the questions because we are either afraid of the answers or afraid we won’t be able to find the answers. Or do we fear what others will say/think of our doubts?

When we don’t have anywhere to go with our questions or even suspect that our faith is not strong enough to endure them, we are closer than we may realize to abandoning it altogether. And I’m afraid that’s exactly what happens to many Christians who grow up and out into the world. They find it easier to walk away than to wrestle. Who wouldn’t?

But the truth is, Christianity has survived for more generations than we can count. And the Bible remains the most published and read book in the world for hundreds of years now. More importantly, our God withstands the scrutiny. When we are wrestling the thing out (studying, praying, seeking counsel), whether it be theological questions, or anger at God, or just flat confusion, we are in relationship with Him. That’s what He wants. Communion with us. Do you remember memorizing John 3:16? God sent Jesus – this whole thing – because He “so loved the world.” NIV

Testing our faith can make it stronger. Not only is it important for us to know that personally, but we need to be intentional about making sure our homes and our churches are safe places for people to have doubts. That’s how we build a strong community of faith. But as we struggle with issues and feelings we must remember that we are not God. Isaiah 55:8 NIV says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Some things we may not wrap our finite minds completely around. Although there is evidence to be found, sometimes our faith simply takes faith, which Hebrews 11:1 ESV defines as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” God promises, however, that when we meet Him face to face it heaven, it will all become clear. “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

When we wrestle, we actually hold on tight. That’s the only way to victory. Think of questioning in those terms. And happy grappling!

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