I’m going to disappoint you. Despite the title, there are no quick answers here. In fact, you cannot survey even the smallest subject with quick answers – not even the subject of “quick answers.”
Just now, the top story at cnn.com was six paragraphs, three of which were one sentence in length. At competitor foxnews.com the top story was longer but still a brief 11 paragraphs. The median length of a television news story with video is a scant 41 seconds according to a report from the Pew Research Center.
We scan, we skim, we don’t study. We’re just not very interested in depth.
Brevity can be good. Who needs to spend a half hour thinking about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce other than Swift and Kelce themselves? But some topics demand greater attention.
Quick Answers and the Spiritual Life
Americans have entrusted their spiritual knowledge, and by extension, their eternal life, to their preachers. We might ask, “Does the Bible say I shouldn’t do this?” We hope the preacher will give us an answer not exceeding a couple of sentences. We have little interest in his reasoning, just his final conclusion. That’s a dangerous approach. It’s not that the preacher deliberately wants to hurt you, but what if he is wrong? What if his reasoning is flawed?
Never trust a preacher with your spiritual life.
Jesus declared that we can “know” the truth (John 8:32). To know anything requires investigation. An investigation requires a search for facts, an analysis of the source, and a final determination of truth. It’s not always easy.
Preacher’s Study Blog Can Help
We began our work here many years ago. The goal then, and now, was to offer serious Bible study. Despite our work, we still would be embarrassed to know that you trusted us for quick answers. We hope you will delve into our articles, reach your own conclusions, and engage with us through the comments. Your thoughts are always important to us.
Some articles will encourage you while others will challenge long-held beliefs.I think we are successful when we do either. We have never accepted money and we never will. But we would appreciate if you would pass on our articles. It would mean a lot!
