Recently, I have heard several people say a similar phrase in interviews and video clips. They all stated that they were a part of a Church where “questions were not allowed.”

First, I need to be clear that this is often connected to one believer. What they are saying is that this one person I asked a question to, as a pastor, teacher, or leader, did not think this other person should be asking questions. Some believers do reject open and honest dialog. If they had started asking others, they would have found a much more diverse reaction from numerous other Christians.

Second, I believe the Church must value questions. If you want to know more about the Bible, God, faith, and life as a follower of Jesus, then I think you should ask questions all the time. Dig into what and why you believe. There are numerous resources on the internet to help you. A pastor or leader can help, and there are thousands of books under the label apologetics.

Finally, I think this must be said: along with valuing questions, we need to value answers. In at least one of the cases where I heard someone say, “questions were not allowed,” what they truly meant is that “no one was giving me the answer I wanted.” Those two statements are vastly different. I know of another who did not like my view on something. I explained my reasons from the Bible, and they didn’t like what I said, so they searched until they found another pastor who said what they already believed.

I believe that whatever question you have about the Bible or the life of faith, there is a reasonable answer. The question is, “If I answer your question, will you adjust your thinking and actions to align with what you learned.” If not, what you value is not questions but your opinions.