Questions Without Answers
But Jesus answered and said to them, “I will ask you one thing too, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.” Matthew 21:24 NASB
Answered – Have you noticed how many times Yeshua doesn’t answer the question? Have you noticed how often His reply is simply another question or a refocus of the question in a totally different direction? In fact, some of the most important questions asked of Yeshua are never answered. What kind of teacher refuses to answer questions?
Apparently, a very good one!
Teaching by asking questions is a standard rabbinic practice. It’s called heshbon ha-nephesh. It is the reflective accounting of our own hearts. The method reflects the Hebraic view that life is not about correct answers; it’s about correct questions. The only real answer is the answer that the student finds himself. The teacher is there not to give the answer but rather to help the student discover the right question.
This method must be applied to life’s practical theology. Doctrinal conformity and creedal consistency are of no value whatsoever unless the believer knows what question is presupposed by the answer. And far too often, not only is the believer clueless about the real question, the believer also has no idea what the question means to him. In Greek-based education, we teach students to remember the right answer. In Hebraic education, we help students find the right question. In Greek education, having the right answer is rewarded. In Hebraic education, discovering the depth of the question is its own reward. Hebraic education assumes that a student with the right question will ultimately discern an answer that addresses that particular student’s struggle. In the Greek system, personal struggle is seen as a sign of a failure of reason.
If you apply this difference to the way you read Scripture, you might discover that the questions are far more important than the answers. The Bible is not an “answer” book. The Bible is a guide for helping you understand the question. What if all that cultural desire to have the “right” answer, to beat questioners into rational submission, just isn’t part of the biblical way of thinking? What if disagreement, debate and dialogue are essential for understanding the questions? Would we need 32,000 varieties of Christian denominations? Would we close our doors to those who didn’t share our views on prelapsarianism or amillennialism or a hundred other theological delicacies? What remains to discover among those who already know everything?
When is an answer an answer? The Bible suggests that an answer is not an answer when it is correctly stated. It is an answer when it transforms your life. No correct statement can transform you until it gets inside you, until it answers your question, the question that you must formulate for yourself. In the Bible, answers are not statements. They are questions about how to be in the world.
Topical Index: answer, question, education, Matthew 21:24
Philippians 2:12 would seem to be in line with this teaching:
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;”
There is an answer to all of your questions and that answer is Jesus (who is the) Christ. For Christ is all- and in you all. Whether Greek or Hebrew or Swahili- the Word of G-d is “both” our textbook and our answer book. Life is (or rather supposed to be) an “open Book test!”
All of life’s questions (no, -not what is the capitol city of Montana?)- but the weightier matters of life-things that matter most- ‘both’ to us and to G-d are found within the pages of His book- His ‘love letter’ to His children. G-d reveals Himself (the living Word) through the written word (our Bible).
For you see- the Bible is an inspired (G-d breathed) book. It is a book unlike any other. For it is a book not only that we read, but it is a Book that reads us! “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges (discerns) the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4.12)
Yes, – I agree. Asking the right questions will allow us to receive the right answers. We will never know (from someone who knows) what is the capitol of Montana by asking the question- How much is two plus two! (It must be the Greek in me!- lol!)
The Greek language and culture is not our enemy. Neither is Greek reasoning or logic. We (all) both Greek and Hebrew have one common Enemy. G-d is a G-d of unity, diversity and shalom (wholeness). Sin is divisional. Sin divides. G-d multiplies. Satan divides. In unity (our unity- for we are one in Christ!) there is strength. How good and how pleasant it is for brothers (good morning brothers!) to dwell together in unity! (Who said that?) G-d did. It is written in His book. Read it. (“it’s in there!..)
The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. The N.T. is but a commentary upon the O.T. What has been concealed in the Old is revealed in the New. The N.T. and the O.T. are two halves of the whole. They blend together and compliment one another as the seamless robe of Christ. There is no competition between the two but rather co-operation. What is foreshadowed in the OLD is fulfilled in the New, for they are all part of one covenant (testament) and that one covenant is the blood covenant- the covenant of Christ our Passover Lamb and now (today) the (active) Living Word residing within every blood-bought child of G-d.
We have just spoke recently concerning ‘fear.’ Here is something else we should also (all) fear- “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11.3) –
Skip,
“In the Bible, answers are not statements. They are questions about how to be in the world.”
Why, then, does everyone act as if it is necessary to make statements — Statements about questions, or statements about statements?
It also appears the reader of Matt 21 needs to continue to v. 42 to find the answer to the question the Messiah posed, and also refer back to the incident that Yeshua refers to, his baptism Matt 3:15 as “the fulfilling of all righteousness.” For therein lies the answer the question: by what authority do you do these things? Only cohanim had authority in the temple, and Yeshua either violated Torah or kept it intact. Connect this with Heb. 7:21 and it is rather clear that Yeshua linked his authority to cleanse the temple with his role as cohen, and it was his baptism that identified he met the conditions of the priesthood.
Without starting a very long discussion, perhaps the simply response to your inquiry is that in this Western paradigm, we believe that we MUST have the right answer. Since Greek metaphysics is mathematically based, we also believe that there is only ONE right answer. Thus, our insistence on creed, dogma, etc. when it comes to Scripture. We treat the events and experiences in the world as if they were part of a very big equation. So we continue to assert statements claiming them to be TRUE without realizing that every one ushers in another question.
In my view, the Hebraic paradigm approaches the world with a quest to understand the questions, not necessarily the answers. That doesn’t mean there are no answers. God’s absolute existence and sovereignty are an undeniable answer. But since Judaism is far more interested in HOW this answer is worked out in the world rather than WHAT this answer says about the nature of God, we find that Judaism constantly looks for the next question and is far more tolerant of dissenting opinions and possible answers.
Of course, this is a generalization and there are plenty of exceptions to the rule, but I think you must agree that the Greek view presupposes correct answers while the Hebrew view assumes further questions.
“Must agree?” Not sure I’m there . . . yet! 🙂 I fully agree that non-biblical (call it Hebraic if you like) presuppositions need to be abandoned. I fully agree that many of our Western assumptions can be found in Greek philosophy who, better than most, explored the futility of man-centered reasoning, which started not with the Greeks but in Eden, and before that with the Adversary.
But the statement the “Greek view presupposes correct answers while the Hebrew view assumes further questions” seems to beg the question, for this reason: It in effect says that the Hebrew “correct” answer is “Hebrew assumes further questions.” Thus, Hebrew does have at least one correct answer, and as your posts assert regularly, there are more. As my old Jewish piano teacher loved to proclaim, “there is no truth” and when challenged that this was in effect a truth, said “well, we’ll allow just this one.”
So perhaps it is not so black-and-white. Both Hebrew and Greek presuppose there are correct answers. But the epistemological foundations of all non-biblical thinking lead to different conclusions. The challenge, then is to identify the right foundations for the correct answers — from Scripture.
OOPS!. That should be ” . .. agree that non-biblical ( call if Greek if you like) . . .”
I AGREE! Amazing, isn’t it?
Not so amazing! We read the same Book! 🙂 🙂
OH, one more thing. Lots of times I don’t actually try to exegete the passage. I use it as a stepping stone to draw out some important consideration. But you already figured that out, I’m sure.
🙂
I have never been a very good “Greek,” in that I have never been all that good in giving answrs. Questions have been my thing so I fit right in here. Of course, I do not know that my questons have been of the depth that Skip is suggesting so maybe I cannot brag about that either. But I do know that the right, reasoned answer has never met with a lot of satisfaction for me. I just keep plugging along, trusting that somehow it is going to work out. You see, I hope for what Carl writes so eloquently about.
Brother Roy, Skip and Ian.. here is an answer for all of us (and for “whosoever will!”)- “Thus saith the LORD.” or here is another “and G-d said let there be”- (and there was)
Brothers, friends (and enemies- if there are any..)- what He says- goes.
Please do understand I (we) must leave ego at the door in order to fully “enter in.” “Not I, but Christ..” is for every man, woman and breathing creature. “He must increase but “I” must decrease is at the heart and soul of our (individual and corporate) worship of the G-d who now is.
For us to fully know Him- (is this our heart’s desire?)- that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, -then what happens next? -This is step one. To die to self. So long “self”- see ya- wouldn’t want to be ya!
I have been crucified with Christ- nevertheless “I” live,- yet not “I” but Christ lives in me (and in you and you and every blood-bought child of YHWH.
Each of us (and all of us) have serious “I” trouble. We are blind to the blight of sin. Sin short-circuits the mind!- It does. We do not think and are incapable of thinking correctly and aligning our thoughts with His thoughts unless our Savior comes to our aid and deliverance. We will (with the rest of the sheep) go our own wandering way-away from the Savior.
Strange question- (please forgive me if I offend)- How often do we (I include myself) think upon G-d, meditate upon Him throughout the course of our day (which in glorious reality is really “His” day- this is the day which the LORD has made..)? Is G-d in all of your thoughts? If not- why not?
We have heard some lately on the “thought police.” Uh-oh- here come the thought police..- We do have a resident “cop” now living, residing within us. amen?- “He that is (now) in you is greater than (how much greater?) than he (who is this?) that is in the world..-
Follow up questions..- (we learn by asking, -right?) Who is this “in us?” and who is this “who is in the world?” For sake of brevity and in consideration of the clock I will end with – a “selah”- pause and reflect on these things..
– and once again..- “Hallelujah for the cross!”
“The only real answer is the answer that the student finds himself…In Hebraic education, discovering the depth of the question is its own reward.”
In reading “Today’s Word,” I found it a bit difficult wrapping my little brain around what Dr. Skip was saying until I reached the above two quotes, which reminded me of an earlier period of meditation during the same day.
One of my favorite spots is looking out the back window or sitting on the back porch where there is a line of trees perhaps only fifty or so feet away. Where I live, the very first signs of fall are showing themselves. Consequently, the local bird population, among other animals, is stepping up their busy schedules; and I was watching how these birds would come zooming in from clear air into the center of the tree at breathtaking speeds without so much as brushing a leaf and land perfectly still on a branch. I thought, ‘how can they possibly do such precise navigation in such close quarters, and at such a speed, and not collide with anything?’ So how did the “depth” of that question reward me? Even though I still don’t know the answer, it reminded me of just how majestic our God, the maker of you and me and those birds, is.