Is asking God "why?" a sin

Not a debate. Don't ask why

I received an email from my older sib who in the course of our conversation said that asking God 'why?' is a sin. I baulked at it, stepped back to ask myself, 'why?'

So how would you search for ppl asking God why and his response/reply?

Personally I don't see a problem with asking why. I once heard a prof say, It's better to ask "what Lord" than "why Lord?" As a Jesus neophyte I bowed my head and consented, but as a beat up, worn and torn pilgrim who has traversed the block more than a few times, my sin count is pretty high, so what does it matter if I add another.

anyway sure would like to find out how to search for this.

mm.

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MJ. Smith

But ... but ... here I thought it was an essential element of the Judeo-Christian tradition going back at least as far as Job but more likely to Adam. More seriously, I would start with a study of what it means to be in the "image and likeness" of God i.e. with the drive for understanding.

Steve Maling

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1110491#Comment_1110491

One might also spend significant time in the Psalms with enough humility to let the Psalms themselves shape our questions instead of imperiously insisting that the word “why” itself must appear in the Psalms we explore. Shalom!

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

So how would you search for ppl asking God why and his response/reply?

Search results should include Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46, and Psalms 22. A Bible Search idea is:

Why WITHIN 3 WORD God

Keep Smiling [:)]

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1110507#Comment_1110507

Why WITHIN 3 WORD God

Expanded Bible Search is:

(Lord OR God OR Yahweh) WITHIN 4 WORDS why

Keep Smiling [:)]

Beloved Amodeo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1110507#Comment_1110507

The If questions of the uber Faithful Abraham and Jesus are veiled why questions and it is certain that these were not sins. However disobedience is certainly a sin. We can't have it both ways. Not arguing, just observations using scripture as my source.

Lee

I received an email from my older sib who in the course of our conversation said that asking God 'why?' is a sin. I baulked at it, stepped back to ask myself, 'why?'

So how would you search for ppl asking God why and his response/reply?

A search for terms is not how I would engage. I would approach it on two levels:

1. "Sins" - specified, unspecified, technical, innate, a thorough-going dive into this concept - Logos works great here - then investigate whether or how "asking why" fits into those categories.

2. A commentary on verses such as Isa. 1:18 and verbal interactions with God.

On the other hand, if there's no opportunity to have a nuanced discussion, I would make a beeline to lama sabachthani.

GaoLu

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1110522#Comment_1110522

Just yesterday I put that polishing touches on a 366 page book (not available on Logos) including that question. One premise in the book is that asking "why" is not wrong, but the full answer may be beyond our understanding; and by asking "why" we are moved to discover the "who" which is behind the "why."

That might bring us back to the "image and likeness of God." Search that, like MJ says.

Mattillo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1110547#Comment_1110547

Just yesterday I put that polishing touches on a 366 page book (not available on Logos) including that question. One premise in the book is that asking "why" is not wrong, but the full answer may be beyond our understanding; and by asking "why" we are moved to discover the "who" which is behind the "why."

That might bring us back to the "image and likeness of God." Search that, like MJ says.

That book sounds interesting! Any chance of a shameless promotion?

DMB

I received an email from my older sib who in the course of our conversation said that asking God 'why?' is a sin. I baulked at it, stepped back to ask myself, 'why?'

I think you need to go back to the sib's starting point. The Bible is repleat with why's, beginning in the creation days, the garden, BBQ'ing your kids, etc. Indeed, any Writings reading for 2-3000 years invites 'why', and jewish copyists, targumists, and pesher-ists were quick to deliver, and deliver, and deliver.

Most interestingly, if you look at the world's religions, the Judeo-Christian thread is one long series of intellectual arguments. Kind of unique-ish.

But if your child asks 'why', there's 'why', then there's not-thrilled-to-proceed-why, and finally not-agreeable-to-proceed-why. What is in the 'why'.

JoshInRI

I learned God would not see it as sin necessarily but would come back with "Where were you when I made the following?" reply. Shudder.

I personally would like to ask God why in the world He created yellowjackets or permitted 1 let alone 5 seasons of the show Lucifer...but I think I will be so happy to be with Jesus finally I will forget to ask.

Mattillo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1110648#Comment_1110648

Edit: Disregard

Milkman

Well I just want to thank all of you for your book suggestions, search helps and scripture references.

I wrote a sincere and I hope a humble reply back and his response was he was incorrect (wrong word) about his thinking about the "why" question. Your suggestion of Jesus on the Cross was the "deal breaker" for both him and me. I never thought of it that way.

I appreciate your search help which showed me the power of Logos and how exciting studying God's Word really is.

Also, for your encouragement to dig in and keep studying.

You guys/gals are great!

Gordon Jones

My thoughts jump to Psalm 13:1-2 ("How long...?" x 4), Isaiah 1:18 ("Come, let us reason together, says the Lord..."), and Mark 12:30 ("Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind...").

David Paul

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1110692#Comment_1110692

I think there is plenty enough material in the Book to conclude that it matters WHY you ask "why?".