Nick Arnold

C.S. Lewis describes Aslan, the Christ figured in the Chronicles of Narnia, as a ‘not so tame lion.’ The reason so many of us have lost our childhood curiosity is that we’ve been tamed. Our world is populated with domesticated grownups who would rather settle for safe, predictable answers  instead of wild, unpredictable mystery. Faith has been reduced to a comfortable system of beliefs about God instead of an uncomfortable encounter with God. Childlike faith understands that God is as capable of destroying us as He is of saving us. Risky curiosity breaks us from the safety and comfort of a tame faith and ventures into the terrifying presence of a ‘not so tame’ God. (page 40)

Some of the most recent conclusions from research going on at FYI suggests that students are more likely to keep their faith in college when they are given opportunities to ask questions and are given permission to experience doubt in high school.

This idea seems entirely contradictory to the idea that we are trying to raise up young lovers of Jesus. Any expression of doubt is usually viewed as spiritual immaturity or weakness. Question are seen as a lack of trust in the cheap answers this world often provides; or worse yet: the cheap answers the church provides.

I wonder if our fear of mystery has led us to create cheap, shallow, and artificial answers to cover up the deeper questions our souls long to ask.

In chapter 2 of Dangerous Wonder, Mike Yaconelli proposes four assumptions that the world makes regarding questions:

1. Questions can be embarrassing. (they show a lack of knowledge)
2. Questions can make people uncomfortable. (they force us to reevaluate our faith)
3. Questions can be dangerous. (they have overturned kingdoms)
4. Questions can be “right” or “wrong.” (there are some questions that are not appropriate)

But questions can also be liberating. Questions can lead us to new discoveries and deeper understanding. Doubt is the shadow cast by faith (Hans Küng). Questions lead us into the darkness in hopes of finding the light.

Sometimes the only answer is, “I don’t know.”

I think God has purposely allowed us to ask questions that science, philosophy, not even religion or the church can answer. I think He has done so because it requires us to trust in Him, and in Him alone.

Childlike faith and a faith that longs for God and seeks Him wherever he may be–even in the place of no answers. (page 48)

In the end, isn’t that what faith is about anyway?

I picked this book up in the Fuller bookstore just Monday as a recommendation from a list that the Life Hurts. God Heals. program suggested. I have another Yaconelli book sitting conveniently on my shelf at home (Messy Spiritually). But perhaps this time I’ll crack it open and read through it.

The introduction is a bit depressing:  Mike talks about how everyone reaches a point in life where we lose our childlikeness; we lose our ability to hear God clearly. But the book promises to lead the reader to discover the “dangerous wonder” of a life that follows Jesus. I pray I might live such a life.

Chapter one jumps right into the thick of obstacles that prevent us from experience dangerous wonder:  dullness, dream stealers, predictability, and the banal. Mike argues we’ve been inundated with media that even the simple act of watching the sun set is drowned out by noise. Then there are those who try to prevent dreamers from reaching their dreams. Or we get stuck in the “same old same old” routine. Lastly, we might find more security in our financial stability rather than in the arms of God.

Christ is the Dream Giver who wants us to listen to His dream for us so we can run like children in the fields of His grace. (page 28)

I hope that I might be able to see God even in the mundane, daily tasks. I pray that God would help me to run with arms high and heart abandoned to the One who gave it all. (Hah, yes, that’s a line from a Hillsong United song.) I want to see my life as an adventure and I think God is calling me to leave my comfort zone and pursue Him into enemy territory where His heart for the lost bleeds.

Give me courage, give me strength.

Yay. First post.