I have not been a christian for very long, in fact a little over four years, and I wasn’t baptized until almost three years ago (I was thirty-one). I grew up in an (you could say) agnostic family; we didn’t bother God, and He didn’t bother us. Needless to say, I have many questions. My problem is that I am having a hard time finding a church where I can ask questions, really deep questions about meanings and inferences and the like. I go to these Bible study groups, and I find myself being the only one who wants to do actual Bible study and have deep philosophical discussions. Everyone else wants to talk superficially and then eat some cake. They all seem to feel safer pretending that their life is all roses because God is with us. I mean to say I KNOW God is with us, but life is not always roses; and what’s so bad about asking difficult questions? What’s so sacrilegious about being angry with God at times? You can be angry and love/respect/fear Him, and I’m sure He knows this. I am convinced He does; there is story after story of Him being angry with His people but loving them the whole time. (See what I mean, these are the type of things I want to discuss, and it is so hard to find a group of people to do this with.) So I often find myself studying alone, but “it is not good for a man (or woman in my case) to be alone”. Could you suggest some sound websites or discussion forums that I might engage in, so I could at least be part of a virtual community of ‘laymen’ that want to ask sincere, difficult, intelligent questions? Or am I just being a jerk?
Sincerely,
Curiously Alone
Dear Curiously Alone,
We here at AYP firmly believe that there is a Bible answer for every question. God tells mankind that we should feel comfortable to “come and reason” with Him (Isa 1:18Isa 1:18
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18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
WP-Bible plugin). God is not a God of confusion (1 Cor 14:331 Cor 14:33
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33 for God is not [a God] of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
WP-Bible plugin), and the Bible contains everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:32 Pet 1:3
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3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;
WP-Bible plugin). Unfortunately, most modern churches have turned their backs on God’s teachings and embraced a more emotion-based religion. Most people want to have their ears tickled with smooth sayings and easy words (2 Tim 4:32 Tim 4:3
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3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
WP-Bible plugin)… but there is so much more to serving God than just feeling good. If all we ever do is talk about what we want to hear, we will miss out on what we need to hear.
We say all that so that you realize you are not crazy. In your journey for truth, you are finding that not everyone is as interested in truth as they are in feeling good – not all churches are equal. Jesus even said that many will cry, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name, and by Thy name cast out demons, and by Thy name do many mighty works?” (Matt 7:22Matt 7:22
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22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?
WP-Bible plugin), and His answer will be, “I never knew you.” (Matt 7:23Matt 7:23
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23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
WP-Bible plugin) Being religious is not the same as being faithful. Faith comes by God’s Word (Rom 10:17Rom 10:17
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17 So belief [cometh] of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
WP-Bible plugin).
We often help people find faithful congregations in their hometowns because where they are isn’t working. We especially believe that to be the case for you. Your questions deserve answers – and any church worth its salt should teach the truth (1 Tim 3:151 Tim 3:15
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15 but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
WP-Bible plugin). The Lord’s church isn’t fancy, but it is full of faithful God-fearing people who are seeking the truth (Lk 11:9-10Lk 11:9-10
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9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
WP-Bible plugin). We recommend you read some of our other articles in the New Testament Church category (especially the posts entitled “Finding The Church” and “Preacher Interrogation”). See for yourself whether our articles match up with the Scriptures, and if they do, consider letting us help you find a congregation in your area that behaves like your Bible teaches.