This is a very good analysis of how our Lord makes His questioners use their minds when considering the things of God, by challenging them and questioning them, and the implications for us today. By questioning his questioners, He engages and involves them; involving someone, rather than handing down a dry answer, is a mark of love (see Mark 10:21). He encourages His questioners to develop their thinking about God. Luke 10 as quoted records His teaching that we are to love God with our mind, and I believe that thinking seriously about the things of God is to love Him with our mind. Thus when we 'do' theology we are loving God, if it is undertaken with a right spirit. I would point to the woman taken in adultery as different type of exchange, where our Lord initially declines to answer the Pharisees' question "What do you say?" Commentators have picked up on the fact that questioners with an agenda (the Pharisees) do not experience the same level of engagement as genuine questioners. Our Lord's delayed response here ensures that His answer to such a significant question is given proper weight.
Great input, Clive. Thanks. And I completely agree with your point about differing levels of engagement depending on the agenda and receptivity of those asking questions. Jesus definitely modeled this, and it's an important lesson for us, especially for those who teach. Jesus was a master at meeting people where they were, and responding to them accordingly. To some people he gave very direct answers, and to others he was much more oblique, making them work through issues themselves. Thanks for the comment!
This is a very good analysis of how our Lord makes His questioners use their minds when considering the things of God, by challenging them and questioning them, and the implications for us today. By questioning his questioners, He engages and involves them; involving someone, rather than handing down a dry answer, is a mark of love (see Mark 10:21). He encourages His questioners to develop their thinking about God. Luke 10 as quoted records His teaching that we are to love God with our mind, and I believe that thinking seriously about the things of God is to love Him with our mind. Thus when we 'do' theology we are loving God, if it is undertaken with a right spirit. I would point to the woman taken in adultery as different type of exchange, where our Lord initially declines to answer the Pharisees' question "What do you say?" Commentators have picked up on the fact that questioners with an agenda (the Pharisees) do not experience the same level of engagement as genuine questioners. Our Lord's delayed response here ensures that His answer to such a significant question is given proper weight.
Great input, Clive. Thanks. And I completely agree with your point about differing levels of engagement depending on the agenda and receptivity of those asking questions. Jesus definitely modeled this, and it's an important lesson for us, especially for those who teach. Jesus was a master at meeting people where they were, and responding to them accordingly. To some people he gave very direct answers, and to others he was much more oblique, making them work through issues themselves. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you Curt. I don't ask questions. But I have learned so much from You. And when someone does ask questions.
Thanks, Kathy!
I learned a lot when you were in Rincón. Thanks for giving scriptural references to how Jesus and Paul used interactive teaching.
Thanks, Lori!