New Reminders: Curiosity
by Ardith Hoff
Most people are familiar with the children’s books about Curious George and the saying “Curiosity killed the cat.” Both, imply that curiosity can get you into trouble. For that reason, as well of some of the reactions from exasperated teachers, when my son asked too many questions, he did not like to be labeled “curious”. He preferred to say that he was “on a quest”. To him, that sounded more adventurous and positive.
It is true that people who have a reputation for asking too many questions of other people, can appear to be prying. Most of us like to talk about ourselves, and if asked appropriately, a person who is interested, can make people feel valued and important. The trick is to keep an appropriate balance between being interested and being nosey.
On the whole, curiosity is a powerful motivation for learning. Children who are curious are often also more creative. Most innovations and scientific discoveries are made by people who think beyond the usual boundaries of traditional education. Questions like why and how, also lead to questions like “Why not? and “How could we do something better?”
Some people think that we need to accept some things as sacred that should not be questioned. They think we should read the Bible literally. For example, they might think that “The tree of knowledge” that led to the downfall of man came about because Eve got too curious and wanted to know what God meant when he said the fruit was “forbidden”. Some things are beyond our ability to understand, but that should not keep us from wanting to know what God wants us take away from His Word. It has not stopped professional theologians from continuing to dig deeper for the right answers. That has led to many different interpretations of the same passages in the Bible and to whole new denominations and splinter groups within denominations. That seems like a sad development. Somehow, it seems like there must be one irrefutable truth, and many groups think they are the only ones who know it.
The reality is, that only God knows the whole truth and what he intends. I believe that it is God's will to give to all people abundantly without rebuking them for asking questions that lead to the promise that they want or need for their good and His glory.
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God” John 1:12. Maybe God likes curious kids. They can get into some trouble, but they can also find satisfying answers to our need for a variety of approaches to God’s Words.