What proof do you need?
What proof do you need? The question almost seems unnecessarily provocative. Why would I choose such a title?
Well, first of all, it’s a question. I like sermon titles being questions. The life of faith seems to be one long string of questions we ask ourselves, others, God. I like sermon titles asking questions, even when I don’t know the answer. Not all questions have answers, and that’s not a bad thing.
Second, using questions in sermon titles shows a kind of humility in the face of the unknowable. Asking a question in a title suggests, at least at first, that I am going to answer the question, but over time, people begin to realize that is not the case. The point is the question rather than the answer, and the people who have been with me for any length of time know I am quite willing to admit when I’ve reached the edge of my knowledge.
The story of Thomas, the twin, who asked to see proof of the resurrection in the form of the Christ’s wounds, is so familiar it has become a proverbial label, “Doubting Thomas.” Looking at the story from one point, the proof Thomas needed was to see the wounds. Case closed.
But what if we take a step back and look at the nature proof and its proper uses? What then? Then you get the sermon I preached a few hours ago. I was trying to look at what we think we need proof for and what we know for which there is no proof. Let me know what you think? As always, I am very interested in any thoughts you are inclined and able to share.
Blessings,
