Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
Merle notes that people are “often better at doing than we are at understanding why we do what we do”; where do you see that pattern in conservative Anabaptist life today, and what kinds of “why” questions (biblical/theological) do we avoid because the answers might unsettle our traditions?
Another way to ask: Where do you see people doing religious things without being clear on why they do them today? What “why” questions from the Bible do we avoid because the answers might challenge our traditions?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript mainly applies this pattern to mission settings: people know the practices of their home discipleship system but struggle to explain the reasons and biblical basis when challenged. It suggests we often avoid “why” questions about our beliefs and practices until we are forced by outsiders to give coherent explanations.
- Merle says, “we’ve grown up and we’ve been discipled in a system, and we know what we do.”
- He diagnoses the weakness: “we’re often better at doing than we are at understanding why we do what we do.”
- In a homogeneous community, statements get affirmed socially: someone speaks, “everyone nodded their heads… ‘Yeah, that’s right.’”
- Once transplanted, the same claims get questioned: “Where did you get that idea?” leading to “Well, is it true?”
- He connects the need to preparation: people must understand “the biblical background for their own beliefs and practices” and “coherently explain that.”