If you tire of people asking questions

Then don’t be a minister.   Being in ministry means realizing there is no base standard that everyone has to achieve before being worthy of consideration.  Some people are so advanced in their faith they’re asking for answers I never even knew existed.  Others are still shocked do hear that Jesus died since they didn’t even know he was sick.

The fact is, we are all in this together, trying to make the best sense out of these decades on Earth we’ve been given.  That goes for the religious believer and the non-religious believer.  Within the realm of Faith, it takes on different forms, but the basics are the same.  We’re trying to grow, figure things out, make sense of where we are and how to get where we want to be.  Working out our salvation with fear and trembling is how Paul describes the process.  And that means all of us.

I know little about the “Alt Right.”  For most of my adult life, the Right in general was accused of being what the Alt Right is described as now.  I’m sure there are some bigots and hateful types in it, as there are among conservatives in general.  Liberals, too.  And probably in the Alt-Left just the same.  Whether Steve Bannon cheers the worst or not, I don’t know.  I’m seeing quotes and references suggesting so, but there as many quotes and references suggesting otherwise. For those not in the loop, I’d welcome questions and those who provide substantive evidence.  I don’t mean from partisan sites.  Nor do I mean from anyone who defines racism so loosely it can apply to minorities who don’t conform to ideologies as much as to men in white hoods burning crosses.

It’s part of ministry. Questions, answers, seeking truth.   The moment we begin judging the motives or intentions of people in order to dismiss their concerns is the moment our worth in the Gospel ministry has officially passed its sell-by date.  Because remember, the one who receives the most benefit from ministry is, well, the minister.

For all I think I have to say, I learn more from those who post comments – including those who disagree.  I might not change my tune, but it gets me to think.  And maybe, just maybe, something I say might get someone to think, too.  And that’s what it’s all about.  The purpose of ministry – including apologetics – is not to win arguments, but to win souls.  So assume if someone has a question, or even disagrees, that they are working things out every bit as much as we are.  And if they disagree?  Who knows, there might be something they’re seeing that we, for all our advanced knowledge, might have missed.