Difference

There is one certain lesson I have learned in divinity school: provoking questions lead to spiritual growth. Although this is a learned lesson, it is always a difficult process. A colleague of mine wrote a particularly good note on Facebook showing how deep one must wrestle significant reflections. Asking the critical questions of my tradition or lifelong beliefs is painful because I might realize my defenses are pathetically inadequate. My colleague and I operate under very different Ultimate Reality conceptions, but we BOTH face the same disturbing questions. We both may come to the same conclusions...or we both may need to live in real difference.

I know many who would quickly dismiss some of these questions with piteous answers that provide comfort and safety in spiritual (religious) life. For the comfortable, questions are dangerous and scarce. These atmospheres are stifling for me. Why? It has been brought to my attention I practice a sort of heads-on approach with problems and issues. I want to solve through them, not tiptoe around them. I assume this sort of nature made the kind of work I do inevitable and sees questions surrounding language, religious pluralism, biblical authority, etc not as enemies to faith but as important connections to God (Ultimate Reality, Ultimate Concern). There are still presuppositions here that require humility and trust... for me it isn't a question of 'is there a God' but 'where is God?'

The most important issue I must always acknowledge and push back against is fear...fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of asking. When these fears dictate my life, growth will stop and, more than likely, your/my fear will wound someone else. Another side effect, I think, is worry. When I most worried, it usually means I need to ask some hard questions...even seek additional advice to make sure I get an honest answer.

Paul Tillich wrote "The Courage to Be".... maybe one day I will write "The Courage to Ask."