FOOD FOR THOUGHT: It is Not Wrong. Question Them!

Have you heard someone say, “Don’t you question Pastor/Reverend etc about…. It’s wrong to do so!?” What does the Bible indicate on this matter? A look at Habakkuk 1:2, 3 shows that the prophet Habakkuk questioned God on why he (God) allowed acts of violence to take place. Habakkuk asked: “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance?”

Did God view Habakkuk’s questions as disrespectful? Did God feel he was too high for Habakkuk to ask him such questions? The answer is NO to both questions. In fact, God answered Habakkuk’s questions as recorded at Habakkuk 2:2, 3. God assured Habakkuk that he will act at his appointed time. Imagine that! The Most High God humbly answered an imperfect man, Habakkuk’s questions.

Similarly, NO ONE should be afraid to question his/her religious leader(s) about any concerns he/she has. Nor should a religious leader get offended if questioned by Church members about certain concerns. Some are concerned about the use of Church funds since they themselves contribute to such. Some members ask: “Why does Pastor and his wife not share in cleaning the church building? Since Jesus, the Master, was humble enough to wash his disciples’ feet, can’t religious leaders and their wives share in cleaning their church buildings if they claim to be imitators of Jesus Christ? John 13:4, 5; 1 Peter 2:21. There is nothing wrong in asking religious leaders questions in a respectful way.

“Freedom of speech” is a GOD-GIVEN gift that we all have a right to exercise respectfully.

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14 Comments

  1. I Care
    January 25, 2018

    The Old Testament ties in with the New Testament which also prophesied the coming of the Messiah.
    Christians are the people of the New Testament because of Our Lord Jesus Christ, His Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection.
    Obey your leaders. Most of all God. We are to be obedient to authority, whoever they are. If we are, we please Our Lord Jesus Christ.
    Even though we are human beings, we are not one and the same. If we decide to question our authorities, we must be careful of what we question them about for some questions are unbecoming of their stature. People must utilize their common sense, if they have any.

  2. I Care
    January 23, 2018

    Since you mentioned it is OK to question God and I disagreed with you, in the ancient days God was more severe in quickly punishing some as we read of in the Old Testament. Remember, as an example what occurred to Sodom and Gomorrah and some other people. I often state, if God was as severe as he was in those days, what would become of the world and everyone in it? There would be no world left.
    Some quote from the Old Testament and not the New Testament. We know God sent his only Son that whoever believes in him might be saved. …
    I considered since Our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth, suffered and died, today we hear more about the mercy of God, The Divine Mercy. He has appeared to some visionaries and given them messages for the world in general.
    One such person was a Nun, Sister Faustina Kowalska of Poland – Saint Faustina. She wrote her diary and now it is a book, Divine Mercy In My Soul. There is a small devotional one. I recommend the book.

  3. I Care
    January 23, 2018

    Considering what is occurring in the world today, in our very environment, wherever we reside, I will state, fortunate for us that God does not strike people down as we read of in the Old Testament.
    God is more patient than what we read of in the Old Testament, although he cannot be taken for granted and cannot be deceived. He is there, hearing, watching and taking note, the latter I usually state. This is for eventually our judgment. I thought his patience is due to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Much more could be stated about that.
    After I commented I remembered a two-sided article I got when I attended a prayerful Catholic gathering a few years ago. I have since made copies and given to some others.
    The article is entitled: “The Value of Suffering – When God permits suffering it is for our betterment.”

  4. I Care
    January 23, 2018

    There are some interesting stories/testimonies on suffering of some saints of our times, since passed-on, how they embraced and accepted their suffering and their views on suffering, all for Our Lord Jesus Christ and for their salvation.

    St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, a well-known, holy saint relates a story where a good religious complained one day to Our Lord that he was being persecuted. He said: “O Lord, what have I done to be treated thus?” Our Lord answered him, “And I, what had I done when I was led to Calvary?”
    Then the religious understood. He wept, he asked pardon and dared not complain any more.
    The stories are many that you do not know about.
    When I imagine the sufferings of some people, I always say suffering is no one’s friend.
    St. Teresa Lisieux, The Little Flower of Carmel said: “Don’t Waste Suffering.” What is stated, we give it up for our sins, the sins of others and for their (our) salvation. None of us know how our life will end. Whatever…

  5. jeff
    January 23, 2018

    “Questions is the first step to knowledge” as they say.

  6. I Care
    January 23, 2018

    Pastor, a Jewish proverb: “Do not question God. He will say to you, if you want answers, come up here.” :lol:
    People should refrain from teaching about questioning God and that it is OK to question him as pastors.
    You do know that humanity is sinful. Some commit many sins. I like to say some more so than others and while ignoring God, not worshiping him or giving him due worship and not praying for themselves. Some live without God. When calamity strikes them, they will question God and get angry with him, saying, “If there is a God why does He allow this and that to happen?”
    It is not OK to question God! Our duty is to pray to God humbly and ask him to help us. If we do this, in his time (not our time) he will help us. God wants us to persevere and in prayers. We must show our consistent love for God and not only when we need him. How do we do that? Also by loving one another. How much of this do you note in the comments on this website?

  7. I Care
    January 23, 2018

    It is a good thing everyone does not possess the same mind, intelligence, character and personality traits and discipline.
    Habakkuk did not, in reality, question God. He was not rude or disrespectful to God. He lamented to God about his situation. Some of you interpret Holy Scripture according to your mentality. You can mislead others including your congregation. One day at God’s appointed time, the truth of this will be revealed to you.
    Why are there different jobs as a cleaning job? I do think it is rude and disrespectful of them to ask the pastor about cleaning the church. They should volunteer to clean the church.
    Consider an owner of the house employs a cleaning person. Should this person or other ask the owner why do they not clean their home? Likewise a doctor and other professionals including an employer.
    Pastor what you stated is nonsensical.
    I do not question God. I pray to him and ask him to assist me and to protect me and my family.

  8. Ibo France
    January 22, 2018

    Brother Simeon, I fully concur with the argument that you have put forward. I do not swallow wholesale what anyone tells me. The maxim, “ask question to be made wise” is ever present on my mind. Church goers put the pastor on a pedestal and believe that he/she is beyond reproach. I believe that there is a God who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. My religion is the abundance of love that resides in my heart. Nothing has divided this world and have caused so many conflicts than politics and religion. Politics and the Church are the same thing. Both keep people in ignorance. So question your doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians, pastors, if you are to be made wise.

    • January 22, 2018

      Politics and the Church are the same things. Both keep people in ignorance. So question your doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians, pastors, if you are to be made wise.–Ibo Frances January 22, 2018

      Sir/Madam, I don’t know about Politics, because it is not about my way of Life, like the majority of the World has chosen. But I am sure that the Church (which is the Body of Christ Jesus as He is the head) is completely different from the Politics–unless you are speaking about Religion–which seems to be the theme of the writer’s message. So I don’t blame you for thinking about the Church as being a religious institution, but it isn’t so

      The Church is consist of a people who are Christians, who are called to worship God and to fellowship with God, hence the function of the congregation is based on a Relationship with God, the Almighty through His Christ–the name is Jesus.

      • January 22, 2018

        This Relationship has nothing to do with Religion, which is simply a Culture of man, in that it is based works the Relationship with God is based on Fath.

        “Both keep people in ignorance” I beg to differ, for there is no sort of ignorance whee it pertains to God, as I am saying it again, the Church–not a religious –is in a Relationship with God, as He promised us through His prophet Jeremiah @Chapter 31 it says:

        “I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord”

        Through Christ Jesus, God sent His Holy Spirit in the World, to teach and guide His people through their destiny of Light–this walk, towards that Great Light, only happen by faith. There is no such thing as ignorance through that walk.

  9. Paul Rossnof
    January 22, 2018

    Similarly, NO ONE should be afraid to question the PM about any concerns he/she has. Nor should the PM get offended if questioned by citizens about certain concerns. Unfortunately the answer from Skerrit would be as follows: none of your damn business, go to hell go to hell…

    • I Care
      January 23, 2018

      Some people overdo it. The reason is because they are anti-Labor. I need not state more on this matter. This is food for thought.

    • Ambition
      January 23, 2018

      Paul Rossnof;
      With all due respect sir, I think you got the point of the article all mixed up.
      The writer was solely speaking on the issue of members questioning their religious leaders. Is the pm a religious or better yet spiritual man? Therefore, you cannot expect a spiritual and non- spiritual man to react the same- IMPOSSIBLE.
      The bible says by their fruits you shall know them Use this when you are deciding your answer.

    • The One and Only
      January 24, 2018

      What does politics have to do with religion????? Jeez

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