We need rightly to distinguish between important and unimportant questions —between basic problems and those sheer quibbles that confront us indiscriminately from time to time. Otherwise we shall live and work in confusion as to values and proper emphasis.
There are, first of all, certain fundamental problems to which we must have a satisfying answer, both for ourselves and for others. The basic doctrinal truths of the faith—inspiration, the deity of Christ, the major outlines of prophecy, the foundational aspects of the moral law, the Sabbath, the sanctuary, the nature of man, the Spirit of prophecy, and kindred verities—a worker must have settled in his own soul, else his life will prove uncertain and perhaps hypo critical, and his resultant service value be problematic.
One who proffers himself as a spiritual pilot to others must himself know the channel. He may not know all the rocks and shoals, but he must know the clear, safe course that is free from disastrous rocks and shoals. When such matters are at stake a man had better stop his work for a time, if need be, until a really important problem has been studied and thought and prayed through to a satisfactory conclusion. This is primary, and time will be gained in the end. One dare not be uncertain as to the pillar positions of the faith.
On the other hand, there are certain mysteries—such as the nature of the Godhead, the how of the incarnation, the wherefore of the miracles, and the nature of the Holy Spirit—which we cannot fathom, and which we must leave for the school of the hereafter. Eternity will be spent in studying some of these problems. We need not know all the answers now, nor should we be fretful because they cannot be compassed. We need, furthermore, to be able to make others likewise content to wait for such answers. God has revealed everything essential for our salvation and successful service. But many things are, and will remain, unknown. This we must accept.
All kinds of questions and queries arise in our workaday life. Some are important, and should be studied-through until sound and satisfying answers are forthcoming. Incidentally, we owe much to some who raise important questions, and thus are instrumental in driving us to study items that otherwise we would not tackle. However, there are questions we need not be able to answer—not just now at least. There are items of minor consequence upon which decisive information is not yet available, and which are not essential either to salvation or to successful life or service.
This differentiation we must so stress that the questioner will not press such items as a basis for rejecting the claims of decisive truth. Nor must we allow this type of profitless question to fritter away our golden time and consume our energies. It never hurts us to admit our limitations. There are many things we do not know, and do not need to know. Let us freely acknowledge this. Candor makes for respect.
Then, there are sheer quibbles that arise to plague us. These we should be able to discern. They are the excuses behind which men hide. They are the standard quib bles that triflers, skeptics, and fighters of truth have ever thrust forward as a defensive front. Often these are simply diverting forms of re jecting light. These ruses must often be pierced, and their flimsy, irrelevant character exposed.
The bubble needs to be punctured. Otherwise a seemingly plausible argument or a specious objection may influence others injuriously. Sometimes it is necessary to carry the argu ment to its absurd conclusion that its inherent folly may be seen. Sometimes it is wise to parry with a counterquestion. Divine wisdom and grace are needed to handle these items, for sometimes a small problem, like a speck in the eye, prevents a person from seeing anything until it is removed.
So, as these problems, queries, and quibbles arise, let us resolve them into their rightful categories. Let us properly evaluate them. Some demand earnest study; others are mere time wasters. Some must be dealt with; others need not be. Remember, however, that any satisfy- 'ing answer must appeal to the reason, and be based upon reliable facts and evidence. Author itarian or dogmatic declarations are neither permanent nor satisfying. Neither do they com port with the nature of truth and the divinely implanted laws of the human mind. The art of answering questions is a gift that should be cultivated by every gospel worker. Questions are inevitable. Answers should be appropriate and adequate, but some should be avoided.
