When one is befuddled, they don’t really know. And there’s much we don’t know. I’m referring not just to the human race, but to followers of Jesus.
Not that there isn’t much that we do know in different realms of knowledge, though our knowing is always contingent and relative to our perceptions and observations. In Jesus our knowledge comes by faith. By faith apart from our natural perceptions and observation, we understand that the world was created by God. Although faith, even in that sphere is not bereft of natural observations and perceptions. The resurrection of Jesus is the proof in the pudding, here. Jesus’ disciples were not only scared after Jesus’ death, but skeptical as well. After Jesus’ resurrection, his appearances to them over time assured them. Even after he first appeared some doubted. They came to see he was flesh like them, and yet something was different. He could eat, and yet his body seemed of a different dimension. We see the accounts of this in the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
I’m not sure why so many Christians seem to think that they need to be absolutely clear on everything, that everything is indeed black and white. It’s not like I think moral issues are gray in themselves; it’s the sorting out of such in life that ends up most certainly being gray, oftentimes. Life is messy, and we all are part of that mess. Only God can sort out everything, and yet to hear some Christians tell it, you would think they have it all sorted out.
Befuddled. Not a bad place to be, if one’s trust and faith is in God through Jesus. Our calling by faith is to follow, whether we understand or not. God will give us enough insight for faith, but nothing more. And we’re in this together in Jesus for the world.
Ted, perhaps it is personality type differences that make two brothers in Christ (like ourselves) respond differently to this. Here’s a good link that describes personality differences: http://www.personalitypage.com/html/portraits.html
Triston, I don’t doubt that personality differences play a role in how we respond. And I don’t believe we all have to respond the same way. Nor that we’ll all have the same insight. Maybe one will have needed insight in one way, the other in another way. But we simply don’t know on some matters, which means further study and prayer. And also makes us more dependent on God to lead us, as we seek to be obedient to what we do understand. An aspect of faith, going on when we don’t know.
Amen.