I enjoy music, the arts, and film, all of which demonstrate the creativity God has bestowed upon humanity. I recently picked up a new album by David Bazan, the front man for the now defunct indie rock band Pedro the Lion. I was a big fan of Pedro the Lion and enjoyed their creativity, intellectual honesty, and spirituality, so was quite excited to find that Bazan had put out a new album.
As I listened to the album I noticed a shift in Bazan’s worldview. I applaud Bazan’s authentic and frank discussions about his doubts of God, the Scriptures, and original sin; however when his questioning turned him into his own genius peppered with cynicism rather than coming back to a faith in God, I was quite disappointed.
Is it wrong to question or doubt God? The book of Job and much of the Psalms record people questioning God, his goodness, his power, and what He does. Questions are good, because God desires people who process and think. The problem is when one’s question turns them into their own genius and they begin to set the parameters for their own reality. This was exemplified in the fall of Adam and Eve. Was it wrong for Adam and Eve to question God?...Probably not. What was wrong however was when the questions turned Adam and Eve into their own genius and they placed their intellect above God.
Each of us experience times of questioning God. For me this has happened both at an intellectual level as I tried to wrap my mind around what I believed to be truth as well as, at an emotional level when my soul had been hurt. The important question is, “What do we do during seasons of doubt in our life?” The answer to this question is in Job 40:8 and 42:1-6. Job 40:8-9 records God’s response to Job after Job has questioned Him and states, “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?” God was saying, “Man-up and instruct me…condemn me so that you can justify your own genius.” God then gives Job a demonstration of his power. Job responds in 42:1-6 with repentance and confession to the majesty of God.
Just as with Job, may our doubts and questions towards God conclude in the arms of God.
As I listened to the album I noticed a shift in Bazan’s worldview. I applaud Bazan’s authentic and frank discussions about his doubts of God, the Scriptures, and original sin; however when his questioning turned him into his own genius peppered with cynicism rather than coming back to a faith in God, I was quite disappointed.
Is it wrong to question or doubt God? The book of Job and much of the Psalms record people questioning God, his goodness, his power, and what He does. Questions are good, because God desires people who process and think. The problem is when one’s question turns them into their own genius and they begin to set the parameters for their own reality. This was exemplified in the fall of Adam and Eve. Was it wrong for Adam and Eve to question God?...Probably not. What was wrong however was when the questions turned Adam and Eve into their own genius and they placed their intellect above God.
Each of us experience times of questioning God. For me this has happened both at an intellectual level as I tried to wrap my mind around what I believed to be truth as well as, at an emotional level when my soul had been hurt. The important question is, “What do we do during seasons of doubt in our life?” The answer to this question is in Job 40:8 and 42:1-6. Job 40:8-9 records God’s response to Job after Job has questioned Him and states, “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?” God was saying, “Man-up and instruct me…condemn me so that you can justify your own genius.” God then gives Job a demonstration of his power. Job responds in 42:1-6 with repentance and confession to the majesty of God.
Just as with Job, may our doubts and questions towards God conclude in the arms of God.
