Is questioning the Bible's teachings wrong?

I. The Value and Nature of Questioning

Questioning teachings can serve a vital purpose. Throughout history, many have come to a deeper understanding of important truths by asking honest questions. In Scripture, questions often open the door to greater insight, as seen when the psalmists cry out for answers (Psalm 13:1–2).

However, the nature and motive of our questions matters. A respectful, truth-seeking inquiry differs from a hardened skepticism that rejects answers even before they are given. The Bible commends sincere seeking (Jeremiah 29:13) but cautions against a dismissive or scornful attitude (Proverbs 9:7–8). Hence, it is not questioning itself that is wrong; rather, it is the manner in which questions are asked.

II. Scriptural Encouragement to Search and Discern

Scripture never demands a blind acceptance of its teachings. Instead, it encourages investigation and discernment:

• “Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day…” (Acts 17:11).

• “Test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

These verses underscore that believers are called to test and verify what they learn. Far from viewing questions as a threat, Scripture sets an example of godly individuals, like the Bereans, diligently studying to confirm the truth.

III. The Heart Behind Questioning

Biblical passages reveal that the posture of the heart is crucial when raising questions. A genuine desire for truth views inquiry as a tool for understanding. Conversely, the Pharisees in the Gospels sometimes questioned Jesus to trap or condemn Him (Matthew 22:15). Such questioning is rooted in pride rather than a yearning for clarity.

The sincere heart humbly acknowledges that God ultimately knows all (Psalm 139:1–4). It prays as David did, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23). Thus, the right spirit of questioning leads us closer to God’s truth and does not arise from a stubborn refusal to accept that God might speak authoritatively through His Word.

IV. Historicity and Reliability Under Investigation

Questions often arise about the Bible’s historical basis. Archaeological findings, first-century cultural records, and manuscript evidence can answer such concerns:

• The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in Qumran revealed manuscripts dating centuries before Christ, confirming the consistency of the Old Testament text.

• Numerous archaeological finds, including references to the House of David in inscriptions like the Tel Dan Stele, support scriptural accounts of biblical figures and times.

• New Testament manuscripts number in the thousands, far surpassing the textual attestation of other ancient writings. This sheer manuscript volume allows scholars to verify the reliability of the text with remarkable precision.

Far from blocking honest inquiry, these evidences invite further study and underscore the scriptural record’s enduring consistency.

V. Scientific Perspectives and the Order of Creation

Some wonder whether modern scientific discoveries conflict with biblical teachings. Numerous scientific observations highlight a remarkable order and complexity within the natural world:

• Complex structures observed in cells exhibit interdependent parts that, when missing any element, would cease to function. Many see this as pointing to a design rather than a random process.

• Geological features, such as marine fossils found on high elevations, fit with the account of a global cataclysmic event described in Scripture (Genesis 7:19–20).

• Genealogical records in Scripture (e.g., Genesis 5, 11) consistently show a carefully traced lineage, supporting a closer timescale than the vast ages often assumed by some interpretations of earth’s history.

While scientific discovery can raise questions, deeper investigation frequently aligns with the design and timeline found in the Bible, inviting continued inquiry rather than blind rejection.

VI. The Role of Faith and Evidence

Scripture defines faith not as belief without basis, but as trust in response to God’s revealed truth and supported by solid evidence (Hebrews 11:1). The resurrection of Jesus, for instance, is accompanied by multiple eyewitness testimonies recorded in the Gospels and spoke of by Paul as having been witnessed by “over five hundred brothers at once” (1 Corinthians 15:6). Investigations into the authenticity of these accounts have led many to a reasoned confidence in the truth of Scriptural claims.

Questioning becomes problematic only if it dismisses the wealth of historical, manuscript, and archaeological data without a fair hearing. Yet when questions are asked sincerely, they offer an avenue to discover the reliability of God’s Word and the reality of His works.

VII. Balancing Humility and Confidence

A humble inquirer recognizes limitations in human understanding but remains open to growing in knowledge, aligning with the biblical exhortation, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). This posture fosters a healthy environment for relationships—between fellow believers, and between the believer and God—where honest questions are welcomed as part of spiritual growth.

Simultaneously, Scripture invites a confidence in what is revealed: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Such passages explain why believers treat the Bible as the final and unifying authority.

VIII. Conclusion

Questioning the Bible’s teachings is not inherently wrong. Indeed, a Christ-centered life welcomes earnest inquiry, encourages careful study, and honors the necessity of testing all claims. When questions are motivated by a genuine pursuit of truth, they often lead to deeper understanding and confirmation of God’s Word.

However, questioning can become problematic if it stems from a proud or dismissive spirit that rejects the Bible’s teachings before assessing the abundant evidence. It is in searching with humility, testing with fairness, and recognizing Scripture’s authority that questioning finds its proper place—leading closer to the God who invites us to “come now, let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18).