Jesus as a young man was noted for His careful listening and questioning attitude. (Luke 2:46)
It was probably at this time that He noticed the inconsistency and hypocrisy of some of the religious leaders of His day and their wrong emphasis and teaching.
He saw the unbending religious dogma and focus on the irrelevant and unimportant while neglecting the weightier matters of "mercy, justice and the true meaning of faith". (Matt 23:23)
The religion He challenged was cold, legalistic and heartless. He taught about the golden rule, true selfless love, the good Samaritan, showed care and interest in lepers and those that were rejected by society.
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Issues of the Heart
God so loved that He gave . . . " Generosity and kindness with the mercy demonstrated by Christ is the heart of the Gospel message. Don’t judge, condemn or make anyone feel bad” to quote Joel Osteen. We will consider how justice and mercy were satisfied at the Cross.
Questions please?
Education and Science are committed to investigating and understanding the truth about our physical world.
"Don't be critical,” I heard a preacher say recently. I kinda understand what he means about not having a nit-picking attitude. But we should encourage a questioning approach to what we hear because of so much false teaching in the world today.
The prevalence of Conspiracy Theories today shows how unquestioning people have become. Pseudo-science, anti-vaccination theories and homeopathy are all reactions to an unquestioning approach. There is a clear balance between teachability without being gullible.
Institutionalised Christianity tends to avoid scrutiny or any questioning of dogmatically held beliefs.
Finding the middle ground between entrenched scepticism and gullibility is so important for educated and analytical generation.
Seeking reliable evidence and investigating the quality of the information should be taught and encouraged in every church which is supposed to be the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Jesus specifically warned that many false prophets and deceivers would come and so we all should be on our guard.
The scientific approach is to submit to peer review, analysis and open books. Let the light in so all can examine the evidence and make up their own minds.
“Bringing to light the truth, commending ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God”. (2 Cor4:2)
Questioning, listening and analysing should be fundamental to all Christians where following the truth is our calling and instinct. When He calls to follow, He calls to follow,” The Spirit of truth”. (John 16:13)
Questioning beliefs does not weaken faith but in fact strengthens it because true faith is based upon sound and reliable evidence.
This evidence can meet the challenge of atheists and sceptics because it speaks to our ingrained human instincts and our fundamental need for spiritual satisfaction.
We should all ”Embrace the Truth” which lifts us out of the darkness of ignorance into liberating Light.
Please consider.