There are different dimensions to our Why Questions …and different answers to our Why Questions. The answers will be connected to the worldview and belief system of each person, our values being built by the belief system. And our values lead us into action. Our values are always connected to our religious view, political view, scientific view, cultural view or tradition, the influence of our friends, and what we hear and read.
BELIEF SYSTEM -VALUES- ACTION
WRONG .WRONG VALUES..... WRONG ACTION/ Response /Attitude /Conclusions
RIGHT.................RIGHT VALUES … RIGHT ACTION/Response /Attitude /Conclusions
Everyone is looking for an authentic answer; when I say authentic the authenticity of the answer is based on their belief system. It differs from person to person and nation to nation so the nature of the questions and the relevant answers are on the basis of their worldview. If you were born in England your belief system will be different to someone who was born in north India
We can learn about a person’s worldview by asking four questions.
1. How do they view God?
2. What is their authority?
3. What do they see as bondages or problems in the world?
4. And what can liberate them from those bondages or solve those problems?
So let’s ask these questions about Christianity.
1. How do they view God?
We see God as trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is sovereign, He is in control, and God is our provider.
2. What is their authority?
The Bible (66 books) is our final authority.
3. What do they see as bondages or problems in the world?
Sin is the thing that is wrong with the world.
4. And what can liberate them from those bondages or solve those problems?
This is an overview of the foundational belief of all Christians, but all Christians view things slightly differently as every human being is different. Even if you have only one answer for each of the about four questions, each Christian is or can be influenced by their circumstances or surroundings, but the effect of these circumstances will be based on their personal faith developed through personal experiences, their doctrinal stand, people they are influenced by, the preaching they are listening to, the books they are reading and more. This will result in developing a personalised answer for the four questions I mentioned above by maintaining the fundamental doctrinal belief lined with the four answers. So please ask the four questions to yourself.
Unlike Christians, for Hindus there are four answers for each question.
Let’s ask the first question about Hinduism.
What is a Hindu’s view of God?
View of God | Male gods and female goddesses | Animals and half-animals | Creation: mountains, rivers, trees, stars, and sun | Monism “God is one” Brahman |
What do Hindu’s see as their authority?
View of Authority | Myths and stories | Priests and rituals | Scripture: Vedas, Smriti, Upanishads | Godmen and Gurus, Yogis |
What is wrong with the Hindu’s world? What are his bondages or problems?
View of Bondages | Anger of the gods | Spirits and ghosts | Astrology: Fatalism – life is decided by the stars | Karma: Sin and Reincarnation |
How are the Hindus wrongs righted? How are they liberated from their bondages?
View of Liberation | Puja, liturgy, | Bhakti/devotion | Tirth Yatra/ Pilgrimage, bathing in holy rivers | Yoga, meditation, good works, flagellation |
If you ask the question to a Government /Political party, which is ruling a nation, they will give an explanation based on their belief system.
View of God: We don’t have such things, people’s choice/it’s not relevant, post- modern concept
View of Authority: Government (elected by people), judiciary, military, UN, NATO
View of Bondages: Happened because of the previous government’s fault, corruption, terrorism, bad weather, Global Warming
View of Liberation: Political reforms, the ‘Big Society’, spending cuts, Socialism, good education and health, the war against terror
What about you? Ask the four questions to yourself. Even if you are a child of God sometimes when you are going through ‘Why God times’ or when surrounded with why questions, it is very important to know what we believe and how to respond to the situations.
One of the first questions in the Bible is from Satan in Genesis 3:1-7:
‘And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.’
Satan triggered a series of ‘why’ questions to challenge Eve’s belief system; unfortunately she failed to answer them or deal with them properly and Adam failed to deal with it as the head of the family (please read my blog ‘Raise up Men’ for more on this subject).
Some of the potential ‘why’ questions from this chapter are:
- Why didn’t God allow us to eat?
- Why should I trust God?
- Why shouldn’t the serpent be right?
- Why can’t I just try and see what will happen?
- Why is God so controlling?
- Why can’t I trust the Serpent when he even knows what is in God’s heart? (‘But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” v.4-5)’
- Why can’t I be like God? ( she didn’t lack anything in the garden of Eden)
After all these ‘why ‘questions, she ended up with a conclusion based on the information from a stranger, who is nothing to do with her life, who she’d never met before, but God who creates everything had demonstrated His love, cared for them, provided for them, loved them, protected them, created them in His image and likeness, gave them authority, he entrusted them to rule and reign over all the species and even over their thoughts.
But in Eve’s and Adam’s life the authority figure changed; she believed the word of the Serpent to be more trustworthy than the word of God, so she upgraded her belief system according to the new free software from Satan. Her actions would then be according to her new programming, the operating system of which is controlled by the devil, who has the copyright ©; she gave him access to her system. What was the action? - ‘So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.’(v.6) That was the beginning of the fall of humankind.
Every day we face many ‘why’ questions. Can we trust God in this postmodern world? Is Jesus the only one answer to our entire problem? Why shouldn’t I marry an unbeliever? Why should I listen to the church leadership? Why should I go to church? I have been waiting for my life partner all these years. Why couldn’t God give to me sooner? When people ask questions to challenge your faith, sometimes you become speechless when they ask where is your God? If you believe in God, where is He in your tough times, why is He allowing these things to happen in your life?? Look at your friend. He or she is not at all into any God-stuff!! But you are in such a mess and are still holding on to a hopeless god.
Dear friend, what is your response in these situations? If you are going through history, godly men and women faced the same question from different spheres of society. For example Joseph (the great dreamer is in prison now!!) But looking at some of the outcomes we can see that God used every situation for His glory.§ “The Lord was with Joseph”. (Gen 39:2, 39:21)
§ “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen 50:20)
- He was 30 years old. So after 13 years of suffering and struggle, God made him the most influential person in the whole known world at that time.
- His wisdom and planning saved the lives of people from not only
Every threat that is in your life from anywhere is an opportunity for God to show his sovereignty. He is in control.
David (the great anointed fellow, future king, running for his life!)
Job (the follower of great God!! lost every thing)
Paul (prayed to God for healing, nothing happened, still preaching a healing God?? Funny)
Peter (renounced his dear master three times)
Elijah (getting ready to die in the den)
Jesus (the son of God, people mocked at him “even he can’t save himself)
Everyone asked the same question. Matthew 27:46 says: ‘And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”’
When you are going through tough times and answerless times, believe that God’s in control. In your past and present you can see that. Look at the history you can see that. Open your eyes and look at the stars you can see that. Look at the history of nations you can see ..He is in control.
One of the most amazing scriptures is Romans 8:28-39. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
Whatever happens in our life, believe God is in control, even when you feel every thing is out of control. Sometimes God allows situations to occur since it will enable us to develop our character. Romans 5:3-5 says: ‘And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.’
If you are struggling to cope with your situation, it is the time to pray for God to open your eyes to see His sovereignty in all circumstances. There’s nothing wrong in asking ‘why’ questions, but you can pray to God that whatever happens in your life let it be for His glory. Romans 8: 31 says; ‘What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? , Recently one of my church elders was preaching from this portion. Actually his message was such an encouragement and provided new depth into the scripture ‘What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Many times I confessed, no one can, but after his preaching I changed my understanding to who can be against us? Before my answer was no-one!! Now I changed that into everyone except God!! However, even if all circumstances are against you, if God is with you, by His grace you can overcome all situations. Ask God for the grace to believe and trust in Him in all circumstances, whether you feel it’s a good season or bad season. Let His word and His character mould our thought patterns and world view.
I really thank you for your encouragement and support. I am thankful to God my lovely wife for the effort of Editing my blogs.
Love to hear from you, don’t forget to leave your comment. If you are blessed please share
Much love..Blessan xx
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