Question 36 – Talking snakes and floating axes? Really?

Let me introduce this topic with observations from two Christian publications that aptly capture the reactions sparked by the Bible (and the miracles it describes).

A commentary to well-known journalist Ann Landers reads:

"Dear Ann: Please, for heaven's sake, stop pushing religion! Anyone with half a brain knows that your readers are, for the most part, simple-minded, superstitious dimwits who can't face life without a crutch. But doesn't it bother you when you advise about the laws of God — a 2,000-year-old fairy tale? One day I hope you write a column denouncing the God myth and then quit! The ultimate limit of human foolishness, the most preposterous bit of irrational hokum ever dreamed up by humankind is the baloney found in the scriptures. Such nonsense is for weaklings and idiots who are unable to think for themselves or accept responsibility for their own actions." [5]

Once-skeptical Edward Boyd, while still an unbeliever, wrote a dismissive response to a letter from his believing son. In it, he asked whether, in order to avoid hell, he must believe that a snake spoke to Eve, that a virgin conceived by God, that a great fish swallowed a prophet, that the Red Sea parted, and other crazy things. If God truly wants him so desperately, why does He make the search so difficult? He concludes by asserting that an almighty God could find a better way to prove His existence than any evangelist ever has… [19]

These emotional remarks share a common denominator – disbelief in the possibility of what the Bible describes and proclaims. One of the most frequent stumbling blocks for many non-believers is precisely those miracles that, in their opinion, "simply do not happen."

This question is not about miracles per se; they will be discussed and defended in the "Science and Faith" section. Here, I want to focus more on the question of what to do with problematic texts. I could respond to those already mentioned, or other miracles that are questioned listed in the Bible. But even if I answered them here, there would not be enough room for the wide array of other questions. So a more general question is, "What should be done when there are things we do not understand?"

My answer is simple, and for many, certainly provocative – nothing! Just get over them! You might argue that I am urging you to blindly accept events you doubt. Yet – do you expect that you can contain all the knowledge of the world and the universe? You will never know every detail of anything.

You can be a staunch atheist, but you will not have answers to countless contentious points regarding your worldview, and eventually, this conviction will also be based on your decision or feeling. It is the same with any philosophy or religion. Christianity is no exception.

 I do not understand everything, but I have decided to believe and trust the One I have come to know – Jesus Christ. The principle of this thought is simple – let us proceed from what is clear to what is unclear.

Even though I may not understand everything, the core of Christianity, including various kinds of evidence for Jesus and the Bible, is sufficiently clear. Therefore, we can also say the opposite – I do not believe in Christianity because of these contentious stories but because of Jesus, who essentially acknowledged them as true. Who am I, then, to question Jesus' authority?

So, if you have doubts, do not stop and wait to proceed until you have all the answers – you will never get anywhere that way. Our knowledge is limited, and there will always be realities that we do not understand or cannot comprehend. If you have doubts and questions – present them to God. If He chooses, He will help you clarify them. Trust that God is good and reliable, even when you do not have answers to every question.

Summation

The Bible contains many descriptions of miracles and seemingly unbelievable stories. Nonetheless, they alone should not be a reason for outright dismissal. Examine what is evident, set aside the more challenging parts for now, and seek answers from God. There are answers available online or in books for some of these, or you may consult mature and born-again Christians who have grappled with these questions before you. Sometimes, answers come later when exploring other questions.