Sometimes people mistake inquisitiveness for criticism. Early in my own spiritual journey, I was consumed with knowing Scripture. I’d ask questions, listen to answers, and then follow up with more questions. Sometimes it irritated people. I can recall several instances in church or home Bible studies where I was scolded about obsessing over the Bible. After all, I was told, the real point of Bible study was learning about Jesus and how to follow him.
I disagreed then and still do. Wanting to know why women who had their periods were considered unclean, what the Urim and Thummim were, or why some English translations of John 5 don’t include verse 4 isn’t about wanting to know more about Jesus. But they’re good questions. Frankly, there are a lot of passages in the Bible that have nothing to do with Jesus. The fact that they’re in the Bible means they’re just as inspired as any passage that is about Jesus. We either believe all of Scripture is God’s Word and “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16), or we don’t.
You don’t need to repent if you’re not content with someone’s explanation of a passage. It’s not a spiritual flaw to want details and precise answers, especially in regard to something as important as the Bible. Saying the goal of Bible study is about being a better disciple misrepresents both Bible study and discipleship. They’re related but not synonyms. Dampening someone’s thirst for knowing Scripture by making them feel less spiritual isn’t part of discipleship. In my experience, it’s more a sign of personal insecurity. We should be thrilled when we encounter someone who just can’t get enough of the Bible.
Bible study is about learning what this book that we say is inspired actually means. Knowing what all its parts mean will give us a deeper appreciation for the plan of God for humanity, the salvation history of God’s people, and the character of God. Jesus is at the core of all that, but there’s more to the Bible than the story of his life, death, and resurrection. If that was all God wanted us to know, he’d have given us only the four Gospels. It’s evident he had more in mind.