There is a quote attributed to Richard Feynman that goes something like this : “I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned”.
This is a statement that I find an increasing level of resonance with, as I have started interpreting the Christian faith more in the sense of 'trust' (trust in Jesus Christ based on personal experience) as opposed to 'belief'(unquestioning acceptance of an 'approved set' of statements/ beliefs).
The advantage of a 'trust-centered' approach is that one can experience the presence of God in all kinds of places and times that too even when one doesn't understand how God or even the world works. One also doesn't have to defend a fixed set of beliefs (or argue with people who hold a different set of beliefs) as whatever little one knows is based on personal experience (which is very much subjective) and 'provisional' (to be refined based on new experiences). One is also more likely to be open to other people and other points of view (as compared to the case when one is convinced that one has found the one and only truth and hence everything else is a distraction or even things to be corrected).
Yes, one won't have the comfort of falling back on 'approved' answers or getting someone else (e.g. a priest) to provide the right answers. One also has to take personal responsibility for one's assumptions and actions(remember, one can be wrong or even deluded at times) and also live with 'not knowing'. However, this kind of existence has a certain kind of dynamic quality (more like flowing water as opposed to stagnant water), humility and openness to grace!
Any comments?
