What’s Wrong with Saying “I Don’t Know”?

August 27, 2014 by DoneWithReligion

To those of us who have grown up in ‘church’, have you ever felt that you needed to know all the answers?

When a non-believer questions your faith, or asks something about the bible, do you feel you have to know the answer and be able to explain it to them?

I know I have always felt that way. Although the more I think about it, and the more I run into people who have all sorts of questions, I have come to realize that I don’t have all the answers.

Even my wife and I talk and have questions we can’t answer. We’ve come to realize that God is too big for us to have Him all figured out. If we don’t have all the answers for ourselves, how could we have all the answers for everyone else?

Basically, questioning is not wrong. I think we’ve been taught that we shouldn’t question the pastor, the bible, our faith, even God, but God isn’t afraid of our questions. What is wrong with us saying ‘I don’t know’?

Admitting that you don’t know does not mean you aren’t a good ‘christian’. Admitting that you don’t know doesn’t mean your faith is shallow or we don’t believe God.

If we knew everything, what kind of a God would we be serving anyway? The Spirit will be teaching us during our entire life here on earth, and we still won’t begin to know it all.

While Jesus was on earth, he basically told stories and parables. A lot of the time, he did not give a direct answer. He usually asked another question rather than give a direct, set answer. I suppose if he gave a direct answer, we would have made it a basic doctrine by now anyway.

Don’t be afraid to question. That is the best way to learn. God is perfectly capable of guiding us to the truth in His timing.

Posted in christian living | Tagged Bible, Christian, church, faith, God, pastor, questions, religion | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on August 29, 2014 at 10:58 AM DonewithReligion

So true, I used to think it was wrong to question things, but I agree, never be afraid to ask questions. Thanks.

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on August 29, 2014 at 10:57 AM DonewithReligion

I guess we all must have felt this way at some point, but so freeing to admit we don’t know it all. Thanks for commenting.

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on August 29, 2014 at 10:56 AM DonewithReligion

Thanks for your comment Vernon. I used to feel the same way, and felt guilty if I couldn’t answer someone. So feels much better admitting we don’t know it all. Thanks for reading my articles.

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on August 29, 2014 at 9:22 AM richardpowell2013

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (‭Acts‬ ‭17‬:‭11‬ NIV) This was one of my biggest challenges as a new Christian. Never be afraid to question the truth! Thx

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on August 28, 2014 at 12:43 PM jesuswithoutbaggage

I used to know the answer to everything in religion, but now I am comfortable with great areas of ambiguity.

It is interesting that when I have discussions with some religious folk they think they ‘win’ because they ‘know for sure’ and I don’t.

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on August 27, 2014 at 4:56 PM Vernon

Thanks because there was a time I felt like I needed to know everything or had to act perfectly. Now I know better. Great point!

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