4 November, 2024

The Question that Matters

by | 15 April, 2024 | 0 comments

By Doug Redford 

On April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech University was the scene of an unspeakable tragedy when 32 students and teachers lost their lives in a shooting rampage. The shooter was a student at the school, who took his own life when police closed in on him. 

Various stories about this student began to circulate after the tragedy. One of them involved a British literature class from the previous year in which the young man was a student. On the first day of the class, the 30 or so students went around and introduced themselves. When it was this student’s turn, he didn’t speak. On the sign-in sheet where everyone else had written their names, the student had written a question mark. “Is your name ‘question mark’?” a classmate recalled the professor asking. The young man offered little in response. 

The student spent much of that class sitting in the back of the room, wearing a hat and seldom participating. In a notably small department of the school, he distinguished himself for being anonymous. Said one student, “He didn’t reach out to anyone. He never talked.” 

“We just really knew him as the question-mark kid.” 

Truth be told, there are a lot of question-mark kids (and adults) in our world—unsure, frustrated, and disillusioned with life and the world. Often they have many questions: Why am I here? What’s life all about? Am I just an accident? Does anybody care about what happens to me? 

The Bible is full of questions. Some are defiant (Cain’s “Am I my brother’s keeper?”), some are skeptical (Nicodemus’s “How can a man be born when he is old?”), some are asked in anguish (Jesus’ “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”), and some are asked in desperation (the Philippian jailer’s “What must I do to be saved?”). God himself asked questions (beginning with his “Where are you?” directed to Adam). And God in the flesh, Jesus, asked many questions, perhaps none more important than, “Who do you say I am?” 

At this time of Communion, we may be wrestling with many troubling or upsetting questions. We come to this table, however, having answered the most crucial question: Who is Jesus? As we take these emblems, we declare that we agree with Peter: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Whatever questions we may face in this broken world, it makes all the difference that we get this one right.  

Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities come. 

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

November 10 Study | I Pledge Allegiance

God’s people should be crystal clear about their allegiance. They play to an audience of one. So they must be very careful of other allegiances. For the believers in the seven churches, that meant coming out from the pagan influences of the culture.

November 10 | Discovery Questions

These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Battle is the Lord’s” (Revelation 17:1-2, 6, 18; 18:1-10), by Mark Scott.

Rescued

Each of us is an individual Titanic. We may, in our pride and self-sufficiency, think that we are uniquely grand and unsinkable. But each of us has already struck the iceberg of sin. It’s only a matter of time. But wait. God has provided a lifeboat for anyone who wants to be rescued.

Reasons to Be Grateful

Let’s honor God in this season as we give thanks for our blessings, as we celebrate our salvation, and as we take the gospel to the world.

Follow Us