"It's not about getting better answers - it's about getting to better questions."
This is the kind of stupid thing that theology lecturers tell you, to make you feel better about the fact that the more you learn, the more flipping confused you get about pretty much everything, until your brain feels like roll gum and starts falling out of your ears. Or so I thought, until it struck me:
1) Human desires can always be voiced consciously as unanswered (or 'open') questions.
2a) Human beings have a desire to 'close' their unanswered questions
An example: I want to go running. Why? One reason is that subconsciously, the question: "will I be able to live an active life when I'm older?" tickles my inner being.
If I knew the answer was certainly either 'yes' or 'no' then I'd have no reason to run - I'd either be in a permenantly super-fit state, or completely resigned to the fact that I'm a slob. But, I have a human need to close that question one way or another.
Or, take being attractive. The more sure you are that you either are or aren't attractive, the less time and energy you put into thinking about your appearance. It's the people who are uncertain about the answer who try very hard.
So, here's the last jenga brick in my little pop-psychology theory:
2 b) Open questions motivate activity
What do you think? Any truth in this? (I'd love to see if your desires are unanswered questions)
So, to view Christian discipleship through this magnifying glass: Imaginary Jimmy used to try very hard to do what God wanted in every situation. He lived his life like it was a series of stepping stones - and he had to carefully choose the right one to step on next - or it could collapse, and he'd fall through the floor. In nearly EVERY decision, there was God's way, and a wrong way, and it was a big mental effort for Jimmy to work out which one was which, and follow it (or not - and feel guilty).
The unanswered question Jimmy was trying to close was something like: 'Is God pleased with how I live, on a moment-by-moment basis?'
Now, Imaginary Jimmy has done some study. The former question hasn't been answered, but he's found different questions which swallow the first one up. The new questions go something like: 'Is my restored relationship with God being lived out in the way I act?' and 'Does my life have integrity?' He doesn't worry about what God wants moment-by-moment any more, and he's found a new, and better, question. He's also a bit more relaxed.
So, perhaps, finding better questions isn't just a meaningless cliche - it actually does change the way we act - and has the power to touch any area of our lives (that we're prepared to question!)
I consider this all pure speculation, and I'd love people to share their thoughts.
D
