A Curious Faith: The Questions God Asks, We Ask, and We Wish Someone Would Ask Us

Within the last year, I have been warned by my pastor (in a public setting) and my best friend (in a private conversation) not to question the Bible. Really, not to question what we've been taught to believe about the Bible. Not to look deeper or wonder if what I've always believed to be true, is in fact, not what the text says. I deeply hated both instances of cautioning.On this week's episode of The Holy Post Podcast, Kaitlyn Schiess interviewed Lore about this book. I was certain that it would be a light for me. I WAS NOT WRONG. I immediately purchased it, and thanks to Prime Delivery, and feeling a bit under the weather (and therefore not able to clean my house), I've devoured it. I'm still ruminating, but I wanted to submit this review before too much time passed. And so that hopefully others will see it and be moved to buy and read the book themselves.Questions are good. Great even. There's something about the modern western church, or perhaps it's just the small rural area where I've grown up and grown in faith, that thinks questions are the enemy. I'm grateful for this book and for the feeling of validation is has given me to ask questions. To keep reading. To study the Bible in context and under eastern eyes, as it was written. To not feel shame when I read a text and see a new connection, and am inspired to ask what, why, when, where, and how.My dad died in December. In the eight months since, so much has happened within my own home with my children and marriage, and with my mom, that I haven't really had time to grieve. This book provided a very unexpected help in that process. "Where, O death, is your sting?" ... "Right here, you idiot." Death sucks for those of us who are still here, awaiting our own, or hoping and praying for all things to finally be made new.I'm grateful for Lore's story; for her willingness to be open and honest and vulnerable. I'm thankful she wrote this book, and I know it will be a light for all of those who read it.

Three words to describe A Curious Faith would be inquisitive, humble, and patient.Lore Ferguson Wilbert was one of the first writers I really saw my own journey and writing in; I still don’t remember how exactly I discovered her. Lore’s words have always been the comfort I look for when it comes to writing and the courage I search for to pursue faith in the “off-roading” version I see myself traveling. Her first book Handle With Care (released in February 2020), was an absolute balm for my neurodivergent soul. So when she shared an excerpt from her then-upcoming book, I was hooked!Lore divides her book into three sections: Questions God asks us, Questions we ask God, and Questions we wish someone would ask. The questions God asks us is what she walks the reader through first, and for a good reason too! Beginning in Genesis 3:9, “But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” (ESV) Each chapter is framed around questions pulled directly from scripture or a human’s most frequently asked questions in later chapters. Through multiple trials, she shares how her own questions framed various seasons of her life and how God answers or doesn’t answer those questions.The biggest thing I would suggest while reading this book is not to skim over the scripture reference or quote at the beginning. I am guilty of only reading the author’s words, but the core of this book is introspection and application. By reading Isaiah 63, the reader has new context for God’s words, Lore’s words, and the reader’s thoughts.Many are the times I read a book I wish I would have had the opportunity to read at a much younger age. This, this is that book. There is so much zeal and curiosity that I have been criticized for in my life. ADHD has had its own spin, but my hyperfocus on faith and theology has never waned–I pray it never does! A Curious Faith verbalizes and shares, “There are so many others who are asking too….”A Curious Faith will sit on my shelf for recommendations if you are struggling with your faith or walking through trails. Lore Ferguson Wilbert’s book will be released on August 2nd, 2022; pre-order now!“Knowing you are loved is better than knowing the right answers.”

I just finished reading Lore Ferguson Wilbert's book, A Curious Faith. I was first introduced to Lore's writing on Instagram when a dear friend said how much she appreciated Lore's posts. In following Lore, I realized how talented she is with words and thoughts but more than that, the vulnerability with which she wrote tugged at my heart.In A Curious Faith, Lore shares some of her personal work in deconstructing and rebuilding her faith. A Rilke quote caught her attention, "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves ... Do not now seek the answers ... Live the questions!" Lore had been in church settings where questions were not valued, and this idea of exploring her questions resonated deeply with her.In her book, she takes a deep dive into the questions in scripture, the questions God asks His people, the questions we ask God, and last, questions we wish someone would ask us. Lore briefly explores the biblical narrative around these 30 questions and then applies them to her life and ours. She defines curiosity as a spiritual discipline essential to our growth.Lore shares that "living her questions" did not destabilize her; instead, they led to more surety and hope in God. Lore writes, "If we don't make space for curiosity in the Christian life, we will become content with a one-dimensional god, a god made more in our own image than the God who made us in his image."As I read her book, I was reminded repeatedly how much God loves us. Lore writes, "The most important thing about a person is what God thinks when he thinks about them." I mentioned this quote to Lore in a conversation on Facebook because I agreed deeply, and she replied, "I want this book to be a reminder to people struggling that God loves them, and within that love, there is a wide expanse of grace and goodness." For me - her goal is achieved!

Honestly I read this book too quickly because I wanted to review it before it released, and now I can’t wait to start it all over again, pull out my journal and slowly unpack and explore each chapter, each question.Previously I haven’t been so curious, I’ve gone along with other peoples opinions and answers instead of letting myself sit with the questions and if need be letting them sit unanswered. This book helped me realise that it’s ok to have questions and more than that, that it’s ok to take these questions to God, to be honest in your doubts or confusion, and to explore your wonderings and curiosity. It reminded me of the beautiful truth that we have a curious God, a God who asked many questions and loves us to do the same.

I have long enjoyed Lore's rich, layered, and scriptural approach to thinking and writing. I was so excited to receive this book! Lore skillfully engages you by allowing you into her story but then broadens our gaze to connect with other Biblical characters to see how we, as human beings, want to know and be known by our loving God. She not only invites curiousity and questions, she also skillfully creates room for us to engage with our own curiousities and questions, our thoughts and emotions while always bringing us to a God who is sovereign, powerful, and tender. This is a not a spiritual book of "pat answers" or cliques. She holds us in the tension of realizing we will likely never have all the answers we crave but that there is significant value in asking the questions and bringing them to God.