The In My Dorm Writing Space

— Michael Johnson, inspired by Roger Daniel

One of my biggest encouragers, mentors, and teachers, Roger Daniel, once approached me with a simple yet thought provoking statement that I want to share with you today.

After a brief conversation about some theological topic, he said something like this: “Michael, when it comes to theology, many people fit into one of two categories. They either see the glass as half full or half empty. I fit into another category. My category asks, ‘What is inside the glass? Where did the glass come from? Whose glass is it? And how do I know it is glass?’”

After laughing with him for a moment, I really started to think about what he had said. I began to wonder, “How would my biblical studies be impacted if I did not just read and perceive the material at face value? How would my understanding of the text shift if I set aside my biases and dove into the text rather than walking around it? How would I benefit if I pursued biblical curiosity with the same passion as biblical understanding? How much more would I understand the text if I slowed down and took the time to ask tough questions?”

Of course, in Roger’s heart, he almost certainly leans toward one side of the glass being either half full or half empty. But he deliberately chooses curiosity because he hopes to discover something deeper and more profound than what half full or half empty thinking alone can offer. He would rather have more questions, even at the risk of having less certainty, than settle too quickly on theological conclusions.

All of this is to say that we can learn from Roger in our own biblical study. Our posture should be one of genuine curiosity and a sincere desire to know more of God, even if it means risking what we think we already know about Him. In wondering and asking challenging questions, we also learn to slow down our study and spend more time with every word God has given us. I aspire to not let myself fit into either category mentioned but rather stop to discover what questions are being begged from the text. In regard to theological concepts, the same applies. We ought to not be so quick to agree or disagree based on bias but rather take the time to ask questions in hopes of deeper understanding.

As Augustine prayed,

“Let me know You, O Knower of me. Let me know You as I am known.”

Confessions, Book X