When It’s Better Not to Know

Allowing our questions to draw us closer

When I consider the Christians I see as mentors in my life, I often think about those who seem so certain, so unwavering in their belief. And yet, my own heart draws closest to God through questions. Through trusting Him with my chronic concerns, my most difficult doubts, and my fiercest fears. And often, I am coming to Him from a place of not knowing.

It turns out that this posture honours Him. It places Him in a position of knowing, above us. It recognises His omniscience. It also conveys trust because we are able to voice our innermost feelings, and it says we believe He is powerful because we are coming to Him for a resolution. In these ways, ‘not knowing’ is actually a form of worship.

Knowing, on the other hand, can be dangerous to faith.

‘Knowingness’ is an attitude of already knowing. A stance of already being informed, in contrast to a willingness to learn. We all know people who seem to have the answer ready even before a question is asked (like the Pharisees in Scripture). In fact, knowingness is a false claim to knowledge that makes it impossible to learn anything new.

Even beyond our personal spiritual development, our knowingness can impact others. It causes us to miss a sacred opportunity to recognise our own limits, and to model humility and human imperfection to others.

As much as I’m drawn to those who seem to have few questions, the false certainty of knowingness can be worse than doubts.

Scripture provides several examples of faith mentors who voiced questions to God:

• Job: “Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?" (Job 13:24 NIV).

• John the Baptist: While initially recognising Jesus as the Messiah, he later sent Him this question from his prison cell, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:2-3 NIV).

• Sarah: Her laughter is a reflection of her questioning God's ability to overcome the limitations of her age and barrenness, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:11-13 NIV).

• David: “Who will rise up for me against the wicked?” (Psalm 94:16 NIV).

With these faith examples, I’d say not knowing can sometimes be a pretty safe (and understandable) place to be!