<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder "Don't ask me," is a classic response to questions. It's usually given by someone who knows something that he or she doesn't want to say. Often, it's an "out"--a word game used by one who wants to avoid a question without telling an outright lie. A variant of this response is, "Don't ask me, ask your mother (or father)." You may hear such an answer from a parent who doesn't want the final responsibility for permitting or denying a child's actions. Anyone who's raised or lived with a child knows what it's like to face a barrage of questions. "Why is the sky blue? Why is my fish floating on his back? Why can't I have a two-wheeler? When will we get there?" In answering just these few, you could be teaching (or misteaching) a youngster about physics, metaphysics, biology, age appropriate behavior, finances, and telling time. We know that such curiosity in a child leads to adults who are inquisitive, educated, and ready to face new challenges. Yet a daily diet of this inquisition can frustrate us, especially if we're tired or desire some time to ourselves. It becomes a struggle to avoid saying, "Don't ask me." Last week at this time, I was trying to answer a huge list of questions involving murder, racism, and the like. It was as much for myself as for others that I wrote the previous column. Then as I started, through God's grace, to regain my personal equilibrium, the questioning hordes of "outsiders" descended upon Jasper. Newspaper, radio, and television reporters came--along with do-gooders, media hounds, and a fresh batch of hate-mongers. Incongruity abounded. For example, I never expected to double the number of FBI agents I'd met at a gathering of the Jasper Ministerial Alliance. Through it all, as reporters continued their quesitons, I bit my tongue to avoid, "Don't ask me." As mentioned above, meeting ignorance with knowledge is draining, especially if the questions seem nonstop. Yet God also expects his people-- especially his pastors--to meet hatred with love, folly with wisdom, rashness with patience, sin with grace, and so forth. As Scripture tells us, against such gifts of God there is no law. Now a fairly extensive list of questions awaits my answer. Among them: "Should my wife and I change churches? Did Jesus have brothers or sisters through Mary? What are the general differences between Covenental and Lutheran understanding? Is baptism necessary for salvation and if so, how and why? What is the church's teaching on free will? What is the difference between being a Christian and being a Jew and why would a person choose the Jewish faith over the Christian faith? Is masturbation a sin?" While as a Christian, I desire to give full and clear answers, my frail humanity wants to cry out, "Don't ask me!" I've grown weary this week, and wish to hide from the inquisition. I could easily plow through most of these, give quick, Bible-based answers, and move on. However, there's often a sense of "why are you asking this?" that I must deal with. Often, the question is less important than is the reason it's being asked. Also, some people continue to challenge what I say regularly. I strive to present all sides, to avoid being overly dogmatic, since the column is read by people of varied religious backgrounds. For some, I am too often too Lutheran for their taste. Realizing that complaints flow more readily than compliments, I thank such readers as Pastor Robinson of Jasper's First Baptist Church and Father Ron, and our local Catholic priest, for their kind words this week. I know that sometimes, Ed might say, "All right! Snyder's really on target." Meanwhile, Ron could be saying, "I think Walt really blew that one." The next week, their responses might be reversed. I try to be "all things to all people." However, the "all things," includes only things positive. I don't want to present mealy-mouthed hypocrisy. As I said in the first column, "People will be amused, confused, encouraged, or challenged by what they read here." I still desire all this and more. I hope that whether you agree or disagree with a response, you will be compelled to think about my answer and will study the Scripture for yourself. Still, I want to make sure that we're on the same page. So I ask for your feedback. Write in care of the Jasper Newsboy (302 N Wheeler, Jasper, Texas, 75951) or directly to me at the addresses below. Let us know both your religious affiliation and your overall impression of the tone and intent of "Ask the Pastor." In doing this, you'll be helping me to better respond to all of the readers. Next week, God willing, I'll have the energy and the focus to say again, "Please, ask me!" Until then, You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.